Port of Morrow
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Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews What's this?

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7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

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  • Summary: James Mercer's label Aural Apothecary releases The Shins' first studio album in five years.
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  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Pop
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Top Track

Simple Song
Well, this is just a simple song To say what you done I told you about all those fears And away they did run. You sure must be strong And you feel... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 43
  3. Negative: 0 out of 43
  1. Paste Magazine
    Mar 21, 2012
    93
    It's just so utterly satisfying.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 15, 2012
    83
    [Frontman James Mercer] and his new mates have conjured the band's best album in nearly a decade.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 15, 2012
    80
    By the second listen, it's somehow found its place in one's affections, despite its lack of obvious hooks.
  4. Alternative Press
    Mar 14, 2012
    70
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Mar 19, 2012
    63
    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.
  6. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Mar 19, 2012
    60
    It's the very definition of "not bad", but surely there's some urgent paint you need to watch drying instead?
  7. PopMatters
    Mar 19, 2012
    40
    For all the talk that's bound to come up over the album's production, Port of Morrow's problem isn't 't have a whole lot at stake.

See all 43 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. DreCool
    Mar 20, 2012
    10
    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
  2. DaBryceDeVaughn
    Feb 6, 2013
    9
    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
  4. Citadelen
    Feb 27, 2019
    9
    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
  5. Vampire25
    Mar 31, 2012
    8
    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
  6. andHobbes
    Jun 3, 2012
    8
    "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
  7. Ricko
    May 3, 2012
    7
    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
  8. wolfbag
    Apr 19, 2012
    3
    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

See all 24 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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