The Shins, 'Wincing The Night Away'

Courtesy of the artist

The Shins.

Wincing the Night Away is the third full-length album of indie popsters, The Shins. The group gained widespread notice for the songs they contributed to the soundtrack of 2004's Garden State.

Wincing resonates with the sounds of Echo and the Bunnymen and My Bloody Valentine, bands that lead singer and guitarist James Mercer listened to while growing up. Intense visuals in the lyric make the album sound like a script to a particularly bizarre animated film. The music is strikingly accessible, and the compositions are full of hooks and lovely melodies.