quote:

Originally posted by joji:

why why why do I not like it! I wish the songs didn't sound like poo to my ears, I really do.

There's no accounting for taste. If you don't like good music, I can't help you.

The reason I don't like it is because there is nothing good about it. The songs are extremely boring and lack structure and melody. I've streamed it on AOL a few times now, and it still sounds abysmal.

Maybe we can write to Pitchfork and have them revise their rating to somewhere in the 8.0-9.0 range. Then maybe it would be okay for you to like it.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
Maybe we can write to Pitchfork and have them revise their rating to somewhere in the 8.0-9.0 range. Then maybe it would be okay for you to like it.

Now, that's a bit harsh... It almost seems like your attacking joji. I like the new record Shins just as much as you but that doesn't mean that I should go around and start picking on people just because they didn't enjoy Wincing the Night Away.

quote:

Originally posted by Everyoneanindividual:

Now, that's a bit harsh... It almost seems like your attacking joji. I like the new record Shins just as much as you but that doesn't mean that I should go around and start picking on people just because they didn't enjoy Wincing the Night Away.

Possibly. I don't really care if he likes the album or not, but I think his rationale (that it lacks structure and melody) isn't really valid. It's sort of like saying you don't like Van Halen because of the lack of guitar solos.

This makes me think the P4K effect came into play.

[/QUOTE]

Possibly. I don't really care if he likes the album or not, but I think his rationale (that it lacks structure and melody) isn't really valid. It's sort of like saying you don't like Van Halen because of the lack of guitar solos.

This makes me think the P4K effect came into play.[/QUOTE]
Okay, I understand your thoughts....

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:

Possibly. I don't really care if he likes the album or not, but I think his rationale (that it lacks structure and melody) isn't really valid. It's sort of like saying you don't like Van Halen because of the lack of guitar solos.

This makes me think the P4K effect came into play.

I agree. No one writes more beautifully structured melodies than Mercer. What a weird argument.

I basically just wanted to point out that the song is titled S-P-I-L-T Needles, not Split. For some reason everyone seems to be getting that wrong. Anyway, since i'm here I'll share my thoughts on Wincing....

I absolutely adore this album. I think it's the most interesting and intriguing work that they have released. I love how they expanded their sound, and suprisingly I found this album more accessible than OIW and CTN, and I think thats because I find Wincing more fluid than the others. Plus the lyrics are amazing, I couldn't believe how much more depth to Mercer's lyrics there were this time around. Also, I find it odd that there were people who posted on this thread that had stated they didn't pay attention to lyrics. If you're not paying attention to these lyrics then you're missing out and it will also make you seem less credible to the rest of us. I can understand not paying attention to the lyrics of some artists, but not The Shins. Mercer is unique, clever, poetic, vague, sneaky, genious, playful, grim, and so much else. Which makes dissecting the lyrics a hard task, but it's worth it in the end. What I love best about The Shins, is that their lyrics can have a much different impact on the listener at various stages of their life. Which in my eyes makes their music timeless.

P.S. Phantom Limb just may be the most clever title i've heard in a long time. haha

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
This makes me think the P4K effect came into play.

Of course it didn't. I wasn't doing anything to offend you, so no reason to get defensive. The reason for my argument was just that a bunch of the songs ("black waves" in particular) seem to have no point to them. I like the Shins, I just don't like this album and you do.

P.S.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:

quote:

Originally posted by Everyoneanindividual:

Now, that's a bit harsh... It almost seems like your attacking joji. I like the new record Shins just as much as you but that doesn't mean that I should go around and start picking on people just because they didn't enjoy Wincing the Night Away.

Possibly. I don't really care if he likes the album or not, but I think his rationale (that it lacks structure and melody) isn't really valid. It's sort of like saying you don't like Van Halen because of the lack of guitar solos.

This makes me think the P4K effect came into play.

I think this is a little disingenuous. Just because you consider the melodies to be "great" does not mean that everyone else will. Heck, some people require different types of structure and melody. A fan of classical music could come in here and make claims that would seem baffling unless we already knew his or her tastes.

And some people just don't articulate their postitions well enough. He could mean "I don't think it has good melodies" for example.

Blaming it on Pitchfork is a very easy way out, but not a terribly clever one. If he were allowing himself to be iinfluenced wouldn't it be closer to "7.0/10.0" rather than "abysmal"? WTF is with this huge backlash? I hate Pitchfork with a passion, but 7/10 is hardly panning a record. Get over yourself and accept the fact that not everyone is fawning over this record like a fanboy.

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:


I think this is a little disingenuous. Just because you consider the melodies to be "great" does not mean that everyone else will. Heck, some people require different types of structure and melody. A fan of classical music could come in here and make claims that would seem baffling unless we already knew his or her tastes.

And some people just don't articulate their postitions well enough. He could mean "I don't think it has good melodies" for example.

Blaming it on Pitchfork is a very easy way out, but not a terribly clever one. If he were allowing himself to be iinfluenced wouldn't it be closer to "7.0/10.0" rather than "abysmal"? WTF is with this huge backlash? I hate Pitchfork with a passion, but 7/10 is hardly panning a record. Get over yourself and accept the fact that not everyone is fawning over this record like a fanboy.

Incredibly well-put. I agree that the Pitchfork comment was completely off the mark. Still, there has to be something objective about analyzing a song. The Shins are known for their lithe and dynamic melodies and, while a classical fan might not approve of them, we're discussing pop and anyone with a sense of what makes the genre great should be able to find something in "Red Rabbits" or "Sleeping Lessons."

quote:

Originally posted by thetreesgetwheeledaway:
The Shins are known for their lithe and dynamic melodies

On their other records, yes, but not here. That's the point I was trying to make all along.

quote:

Originally posted by joji:

quote:

Originally posted by thetreesgetwheeledaway:
The Shins are known for their lithe and dynamic melodies

On their other records, yes, but not here. That's the point I was trying to make all along.

I find it very hard to believe that someone could see such a distinction. These aren't drastically different records. I will concede that "Black Wave" is monotonous but Inverted definitely had its share of those moments.

quote:

Originally posted by thetreesgetwheeledaway:

I find it very hard to believe that someone could see such a distinction. These aren't drastically different records.

I rest my case.

I've read that listeners haven't liked Wincing's lack of standout songs on this album. Which makes me think. Do any of you feel like this is their most mature release to date? I do. It seems like they're not relying on catchy melodies to gain a listeners attention, and to me that's a good thing, it'll weed out the true fans that appreciate Mercers work, from the rest.

For the record, I know a lot more than I probably should about classical music and I do like The Shing newest album. I think that the melodies are well-written and are actually quite good and as for the lyrics, well I don't have to say anything positive that hasn't already been said. It's a nice piece of work and I do feel that it more than deserves whatever recognition it is getting--minimal at best.

I don't get what the big deal is when someone makes a comment about P4k's influence. I mean, almost everyone here loves them, it isn't opinion or someone lashing out on others, it is the succint truth. I agree 100% that if P4k gave this album an 8.8 for example, many more people will all of sudden love it, I think that is the point that was trying to made. Heck, I thought he said it in a clever fashion.

And geez eric, do you have to be such a fanboy all of the time?

I think I'm going to sue The Shins for constantly getting "Tubthumping" in my head. I thought I was over that years ago. I think I'd have some serious grounds for litigation, honestly.

quote:

Originally posted by less_success:
I think I'm going to sue The Shins for constantly getting "Tubthumping" in my head. I thought I was over that years ago. I think I'd have some serious grounds for litigation, honestly.

I should not have read this post, because apparently your problem is contagious.

quote:

I should not have read this post, because apparently your problem is contagious.

Ha ha, sorry Dork. Maybe I should have considered the ramifications for the other Metacritic users before posting

This is really different from their previous stuff. I could tell after listening to it once that it would take a few more listens for it to really sink in. I'm listening to it for the third time, and I feel like I'm just now starting to grasp it. Right now, though, I feel like I like the second half of the album a lot more than the first half. The first song sounds like a throwaway, "Australia" is so twee it sickens me, and I don't like "Phantom Limb" or "Sea Legs" at all. After that, though it gets pretty good. I especially like "Black Waves," "Split Needles," and "A Comet Appears." Overall, I give it 6.5/10.