Challenging it's not, but its low-key loveliness makes it great for dinner parties where the company is almost as cool as Mercer's pre-Port track record. [Apr 2012, p.98]
For the Shins major-label debut, he [James Mercer] has enlisted pop producer Greg Kurstin (who has worked with everyone from Kesha to Beck) to sharpen, polish and broaden the sound, and the results are decidely mixed.
A great addition to The Shins' discography, and easily the best album to have been released this year (as of so far at least). While it lacksA great addition to The Shins' discography, and easily the best album to have been released this year (as of so far at least). While it lacks some of the poignant lows of previous albums, the soaring highs carry the album far above many previous ventures of Mercer's. Although at times Port of Morrow can sound quite crisp and clean in comparison to the dark instrumentation of Wincing the Night Away or the lo-fi element of Oh, Inverted World, it still manages to hold its own, proving once again the prowess of James Mercer's abilities. Overall, I love this album to death, and while it does threaten to fizzle out towards the end, it's incredibly enjoyable and a great listen.…Expand
All in all, this album is a lot of great work. Not perfect, but there are some addictive tracks on here, and Mercer brings some greatAll in all, this album is a lot of great work. Not perfect, but there are some addictive tracks on here, and Mercer brings some great additions to the Shins catalogue.…Expand
Markedly different from their earlier work, but with still with James Mercer's excellent song writing. Standout songs for me were 'The Rifle'sMarkedly different from their earlier work, but with still with James Mercer's excellent song writing. Standout songs for me were 'The Rifle's Spiral', 'Simple Song', 'September' and 'Pariah King' (the hidden track at the end).…Expand
Port Of Morrow is a return to form from indie outfit The Shins. It's far more different from their previous three albums, but still manages toPort Of Morrow is a return to form from indie outfit The Shins. It's far more different from their previous three albums, but still manages to hold that pop rock feel to it. James Mercer is the only surviving member of the band which isn't a bad thing at all. It feels and sounds like a new band, and I love it. All In All, Port Of Morrow is a fantastic record. B+…Expand
"With an intoxicating blend of slippery jazz rhythms and Mercer's slinky falsetto," I give Port Of Morrow a B+. The album may not be as great"With an intoxicating blend of slippery jazz rhythms and Mercer's slinky falsetto," I give Port Of Morrow a B+. The album may not be as great as the three albums that preceded it, but that doesn't mean that it's not a great album on its own. "Simple Song" and "The Rifle's Spiral" are two favourites.…Expand
The Shins returns after a long absense with very little of the original band remaining. Listening to the band talk about this album you wouldThe Shins returns after a long absense with very little of the original band remaining. Listening to the band talk about this album you would think it's going to be a contender for record of the year. Unfortunately they are a bit deluded. It's a good record with some nice pop songs on it but that's it really. Reminds me of the Kooks - they have something going for them but not as much as they think themselves.…Expand
I'd have to disagree with j30...I found it an album I looked forward to for months and found hugely disappointing. "Wincing..." still getsI'd have to disagree with j30...I found it an album I looked forward to for months and found hugely disappointing. "Wincing..." still gets regular plays after years of listening, but this? I've made myself listen to this on and off for about 2 weeks, hoping for something, but its just fairly insipid in the main. That would be reasonable, but there are a number of songs which make me want to turn it off immediately. This is mainly due to lyrics (e.g. the first use of the term "ducks in a row" outside of a business meeting full of chubby guys in chinos, or that stuff about dishwater disguised as lemonade) but there are also some musical moments where they seem to be striving for some kind of MOR-type appeal (maybe those chubby guys at the meeting? "Hey Chet, great slides, have you heard of the Shins, they're this new band..."). There are a few decent tunes, Simple Song stands out but I'm already getting a little sick of it. One review I read described it as music made especially for people in their late 30s who still want to feel a bit cool. The reviewer meant it as a good thing, and yeah I'd fall into that category but that statement kind of sums up how it sounds to me.…Expand
