Port of Morrow
by The Shins
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Mar 20, 2012
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 79
  3. Negative: 2 out of 79
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  1. dimmedwitnick
    Mar 21, 2012
    6
    "Port of Morrow", the long awaited follow up to the underrated "Wincing the Night Away", ultimately disappoints and frustrates this longtime "Shins" fan with it's tragic lack of identity. Early on in this album there are several moments that reminded me of why I love The Shins. "Simple Song" is a fantastic track that gave me hope for another classic full length. However, sometime after"Port of Morrow", the long awaited follow up to the underrated "Wincing the Night Away", ultimately disappoints and frustrates this longtime "Shins" fan with it's tragic lack of identity. Early on in this album there are several moments that reminded me of why I love The Shins. "Simple Song" is a fantastic track that gave me hope for another classic full length. However, sometime after "September" (another track that I loved and thought would have fit in perfectly with "Chutes Too Narrow") this album really loses its way and most importantly its identity. "No Way Down" starts out like a generic Christian rock song and vocally sounds like a "They Might Be Giants" rip-off. Not to say it's bad, but it isn't The Shins that I fell in love with. The title track seems to be going for something atmospheric and epic, but it really just falls flat for me.

    "It's Only Life" is the most frustrating track on this album, for me. It seems like a really, really good song. But there is a perfection to the production that is almost off putting. Too glossy. Too ready for adult contemporary radio. Compared to the previously mentioned "Simple Song" (that takes a lot of risks that pay off extraordinarily well), it just comes across sounding like two different projects. Their three previous records are must-own albums for me, but sadly I cannot really put "Port of Morrow" in those ranks.    … Expand
  2. Comrade_Critic
    Mar 21, 2012
    5
    The Shins peaked in 2003 with Chutes Too Narrow, and with Port of Morrow little else needs to be said about this band. A bland album for people who like bland music. The kind of inoffensive music I expect to hear over a the speakers at a mall. Skip it.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2012
92
#92 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 43
  3. Negative: 0 out of 43
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    Jul 11, 2012
    90
    With Port of Morrow Mercer digs deep in forming a polished and almost, muscular relationship with the music.
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  2. Under The Radar
    Jul 9, 2012
    40
    An aesthetically perfect long play er that dithers in the background. [Jun 2012, p.155]
  3. cokemachineglow
    May 7, 2012
    55
    "Bait and Switch," the best song on Port of Morrow, recaptures some of this eager, joyful glee; but in my opinion, the rest of the album holds none of these virtues.
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