2 keepers
keeper avg .200
Like their other two chronologically adjacent albums, Portland band The Shins's second is similarly composed of pleasant, melodic, 60's-influenced indie-pop. If you could measure a level of indie-ness, the Neutral Milk Hotel-like lead-off track "Kissing the Lipless" pegs the gauge; band leader James Mercer, armed only with clean electric guitar (mostly), accompanies himself raucously and reaches a nearly-distorted but tuneful scream. After that if you have a soft spot for 60's pop music it's your lucky day. The British pop via Hollies or Dave Clark Five "So Says I"**** and "Turn a Square"****, which highly resembles Kinks's "Picture Book" (1968), and the energetic "Fighting in a Sack" are the liveliest tracks. The rest, including the quiet but up-tempo "Mine's Not a High Horse," the mildly psychedelic "Saint Simon," and the subtly countrified "Gone for Good" are all pleasant enough.
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