The Shins...new album and general discussion

[u2popmofo]

One is included with the stream. The other was posted on here a while back.

 

[Danny Boy]

So The Waltz Is Over is only on Amazon Germany? WTF is that?

 

[u2popmofo]

The Shins: Port of Morrow | Album Reviews | Pitchfork

Solid review score, Best New Music as well.

Despite not being uber-thrilled with the stream the one time I listened to it, still really looking forward to having the real deal in my hands on Tuesday.

 

[LemonMelon]

Port of Morrow is not the best music out right now, not at all. At least Dombal didn't write this one.

They enjoyed Broken Bells too, so there's that.

 

[u2popmofo]

To even things out, Popmatters gave it a 4.

One's too high, one's too low.

 

[mikal]

To even things out, Popmatters gave it a 4.

One's too high, one's too low.

agreed. i do like a little more than half the album. unfortunately, it's not going to be the kind of album that i play front to back. it will be the type that i pull 5-6 songs and make a playlist.

 

[joyfulgirl]

This is disappointing. I haven't been following this thread but I just assumed the new record was going to be good, although I wasn't wild about the 2nd song they played on SNL.

So I'll wait for mofo's review before I buy it. I don't think I have a relationship with The Shins where I buy everything even if it's not good, although clearly that hasn't been a problem 'til now.

 

[Danny Boy]

I just got an email from Silver Platters (Seattle indie record shop) that says they will be giving away a 4-track acoustic EP with the record.

 

[u2popmofo]

Holy cow, that's awesome! Hopefully I can find those 4 tracks somewhere.

 

[Danny Boy]

I'm going to try the local indie shop in Tacoma tomorrow to see if they have the EP. No way I'll have time to drive all the way to Seattle.

 

[u2popmofo]

Does it happen to mention what the 4 tracks are?

 

[Danny Boy]

No. I was just looking at the Record Store Day website and it says "four acoustic tracks from Point of Morrow."

 

[phanan]

Hope my store has that.

I wish the second half of this album was as good as the first.

 

[u2popmofo]

Dang, that would be cool. I liked the acoustic versions Mercer's been doing of Simple Song. Hopefully the indie store here has it too, I'll buy a second copy just to get the EP.

 

[u2popmofo]

From their Facebook page:

"Port Of Morrow" is available everywhere tomorrow! Pick up the new album at your local record store and receive a 4 song live acoustic EP with purchase.
Find a store near you here: RECORD STORE DAY - Venues

 

[Danny Boy]

Hi-Voltage is my indie record shop of choice. It's within walking distance of my office. I pass right by Rocket Records on my way home, too, but they tend to be a bit more expensive.

 

[Danny Boy]

On a whim I stopped by Hi-Voltage after work. They occasionally put their new releases out Monday night before they close.

I picked up the vinyl (plus download code) and the EP. They only received 2 copies of the EP.

The tracks are acoustic versions of Simple Song, September, It's Only Life, and Young Pilgrim.

 

[phanan]

Just two copies? Yikes, I 'm gonna have to go first thing in the morning then. Hopefully I'll luck out like I did with the BSS EP a couple of years back.

 

[u2popmofo]

Dang, I'll have to go right away too.

Just downloaded the b-side from iTunes, going to go see if Amazon has one as well.

 

[phanan]

I just hit the jackpot at my local store this morning:

CD on sale for $10
Free EP
$10 GC for being one of the first ones to get it
Small poster
Sticker

That's probably the best add-on haul I've gotten for buying a CD.

 

[u2popmofo]

 

[u2popmofo]

Album and EP acquired. I was also given the newest issue of Magnet magazine, and some terrible Warner Brothers music rock sampler.

I like how I was complaining in the other thread about physical EP's being overpriced, when I just bought a second copy of the album just to get this 4 track acoustic EP.

 

[Danny Boy]

They still haven't activated the vinyl download page.

WTF Sony, I can't play vinyl at my desk.

 

[LemonMelon]

Wow, the Dusted review is bad.

Dusted Reviews: The Shins - Port of Morrow

It's not that I agree with it, disagree with it, whatever...I'm just in awe that what essentially amounts to a forum rant (containing typos) can pass as musical criticism. This is just terrible.

 

[u2popmofo]

It's definitely surprising how terribly written and thought out many official reviews can be, both on music sites and music magazines.

DB, did you ever find out if that one b-side is only available in Europe? I'm really liking Pariah King from iTunes. Sounds a lot better than the stream version as well, which I'm happy about.

Probably will wait until I get home to listen to CD on my nice headphones.

 

[Danny Boy]

DB, did you ever find out if that one b-side is only available in Europe? I'm really liking Pariah King from iTunes. Sounds a lot better than the stream version as well, which I'm happy about.

Yeah, looks like only European Amazon stores.

 

[Danny Boy]

I just emailed Sony Music to let them know how unhappy I am that the vinyl download page STILL isn't up.

 

[Salome]

what a great album

 

[u2popmofo]

I just read that they're on Letterman tonight.

EDIT: Actually, looks like they're doing a mini-concert that will be streamed online before the show airs:

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/liveonletterman/the_shins/video/

 

[phanan]

Pariah King should have been on the album, say in place of Fall of '82 or 40 Mark Strasse, to help balance out that half, which tends to meander a bit too much for my tastes.