Wincing The Night Away
by The Shins
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Jan 23, 2007
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Amazon.com
    60
    Wincing is neither the clever genre recombinant exercise of their second album nor is it the perfect little self-contained universe of their debut. This is not the Shins' best album; it's their growing pains third record.
  2. Playlouder
    60
    I usually find Shins albums grow on me slowly but surely yet after a good dozen plays I feel my faith isn't being repaid this time, and as a fan that's frustrating.
  3. Alternative Press
    60
    [It] feels more put-on than intimate, more tried than true. [Feb 2007, p.109]
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  5. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Wincing the Night Away feels a little paunchy, a little resigned – this is music that not only is mature enough to know that it can’t change the world, but is content to not try.
  6. Village Voice
    60
    While Mercer's writing is still more satisfying than that of his peers, filler tunes like "Pam Berry" and "Black Wave" are a far cry from the tenacious stuff that made Chutes the subject of lavish hyperbole.
  7. The Guardian
    60
    There's something about this album that militates against devotion: a coolness that dampens the indie-pop energy and threatens to leave listeners entirely unmoved.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best Album of 2007
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2007
80
#80 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 188 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 162 out of 188
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 188
  3. Negative: 10 out of 188
  1. MichaelC.
    Jan 31, 2008
    9
    The second half of the album trails off in to okay, but kind of generic and bland pop music. But the first half is so mindblowingly good, I The second half of the album trails off in to okay, but kind of generic and bland pop music. But the first half is so mindblowingly good, I could care less. Sleeping Lessons, Australia, and Phantom Limb are among my favorite songs of the year. The Shins can make some incredible music.… Full Review »
  2. sab123
    Mar 19, 2020
    9
    There isn't a loose song on the album. It's a shame 15 year old idiots give albums a zero score...
  3. NKey34
    Jan 9, 2020
    9
    It is both: one of the most underrated and unknown albums of all time. Mercer kills every tack from start to finish. Probably their strogestIt is both: one of the most underrated and unknown albums of all time. Mercer kills every tack from start to finish. Probably their strogest album to date. But hey, thats only my opinion...… Full Review »
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