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The Shins Embrace The Beach Boys, Madonna’s MDNA Is A Let Down and More Music Reviews!
Some interesting new music out there these days, not the least of which is Port Of Morrow by The Shins. Upon hearing the lead-off single, “Simple Song”, I immediately thought of The Beach Boys. From the production, vocal harmonies and falsetto, to the “Don’t Worry Baby” drum beat (actually a lift of Phil Spector’s “Be My Baby” drum sound) it felt like I was listening to a modern-day Brian Wilson composition. Diving deeper into the album that feeling persists as lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter James Mercer uses a vast array of studio tools to create modern, melodic and multi-layered songs with uplifting melodies that set the backdrop for his moody, albeit at times nonsensical, lyrics.
