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the shins australia

The Shins: Australia

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by Mike Diver

Mercifully nothing like that ‘Australia’, The Shins’ latest single from their successful Wincing The Night Away LP – their first to receive an official UK release through Transgressive – is a wonderfully bubbly, sweetly rocking indie-pop number, perfect listening given the current spread of bright blue skies blanketing the British Isles.

Although the type of music that The Shins chose to make their own isn’t exactly of the rocket science variety – a couple of hooks here, some “la la la la”s there – it is perfectly formed and brilliantly realised: this song, whatever its underlying concepts, couldn’t be prettier if it were released in ice cream sundae 'packaging', sprinkled with hundred and thousands and topped with a sparkler. Happy Birthday! Every day...

With the slightest suggestion of melancholy in James Mercer’s voice, the piece is brought together magically by the sort of subtle instrumentation that’s been the making of a dozen or so greats before The Shins; the classic, enduring bands who crop up every year in some glossy or other’s Best Albums Ever countdown. It’s an indescribable x-factor that no critic can truly pinpoint, but it’s absolutely apparent with ‘Australia’ that The Shins have cracked said magic formula, and aren’t revealing their secrets any time soon.

  • The Shins 8 / 10

The Shins...

...are the best band on planet earth right now. In fact I'm not even sure that James Mercer is FROM planet Earth, or at least not the 21st century version. His lyrics are like romantic poetry that could have been written at any time in the last 300 years.


This

deserves a 9. Its the best song on the album for me and you (DiS) gave the album a 9. I know its a subjective review blah blah but I just think this song is an example of really good songwriting, no edge but an extremely well put together song.


9/10

from me too. One of the best pop songs I've heard in a long time.


ding.

agreed. perfect.


It's a brilliant song!

I love it, probably the best on the album too.

The Daily Record gave it 2/5 - a 4 on the DiS scale. Just shows how little tabloid music columnists know.


Amazing song.

Probably my favourite on the album...closely followed by Turn On Me.


This song is just ace

It's actualy perfect.

this and Split Needles are my album faves I think.


was not a fan but this is ace

i got it for the covers by polytechnic and jeremy warmsley, which turned out to be heartbreakingly brilliant, plus i was surprised to find australia itself is an ace track in itself. it's slightly moody, it's got some bounce and the lyrics are original without sounding forced.





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