The Shins are not just a semi-popular indie-rock band: the Shins ARE indie rock for the general populace. This all started with Weezer, who were the epitome of what we now call indie rock but is better defined as pop sensibilities of the Brian Wilson variety combined with a bravodo-less celebration of the horn-rimmed and non-threatening. Ever since Weezer died in that horrible plane crash after Pinkerton came out and were replaced with that horrible replacement version, this role lay mostly vacant in the music-verse until the Shins swooped in on the scene in 2001 to claim the pop-alt-nerd throne.
First album, success, second album, success, Garden State, rampant success.
Now we’re at album number three, Wincing the NIght Away, and the band has hit the “mature” and “grow-up” phase. Things get a bit experimental and also a bit subdued, almost as if James Mercer and company just aren’t sure of their footing when those feet are in unfamiliar territory. Mercer himself seems especially withdrawn, with some exception, as if he were more content to observe the sounds he creates rather than participate in them. Phantom Limb is a pretty good cross-section to represent this behavior: it’s the Shins with a small bit of experimentation, inhibition, balanced with just a touch of flourish. It’s good to see a band grow, but I think I’d prefer a little more confidence in these steps considering how small they are. As a result, Wincing the Night Away as a whole can come across as rather ho-hum.
In terms of the video, Patrick Daughters (last seen doing Beck’s Nausea) has stepped up to pair the Shins’ sound with a few intricate schoolhouse plays, highlighting Joan of Arc, Colonialism, Exploration, and Witch Burning. It’s easy to see the parallels between these themes and the worries of a popular band taking baby steps: early conviction (Joan of Arc), hurting people in your quest to expand (colonialism), and ultimately being burned at the stake for it (witch burning). However, being that Mr. Daughters was responsible for the treatment and not the Shins themselves, this is symbolic masturbation.
Such masturbation is partially necessary because the video, like Wincing the Night Away itself, is rather ho-hum. Aside from some lyrical parallels this video really is like watching a 5th grade play. Again, like the Shins, you can dig and dig and find some symbolic morsels, but ultimately you’re working very hard for little return. Visually, everything is patented Patrick Daughters beautiful1, and as one of the most prolific men in the business I’m sure he’ll be back in a week or two with something fresh.
The Shins - Phantom Limb, directed by Patrick Daughters
Via MTV Overkill
Via SRO (24.6 MB)
It can’t be good when “ho-hum” appears in a review twice. Maybe mellow people will like the ho-humness.
(Also probably bad when the word “horrible” shows up twice in one sentece about you, Weezer.)
I don’t know where to comment on your podcast, so I’ll just leave a note here. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to whoever picked out Woodpigeon for this month’s podcast. They’re a fantastic local band who I’ve been talking about for a while now and I just wanted to say that I’m really happy they’re getting some exposure outside of the city. Thanks!
Podcast love can be given here, but thanks all the same.
Don’t get me wrong: Wincing is still a nice album, it just doesn’t give me that “damn, people need to hear this album” feeling. Maybe it’s the curse of high expectations, but I always considered my Shins love moderate compared to most. Same goes for the video: good in some ways, not so good in others, and maybe I was expecting a bit more. Still, you can do a lot worse than the Shins or Patrick Daughters, so enjoy.