Shins hype reaches critical mass

October 11, 2006 5:48 a.m. by Justin Sheppard

So, I picked up the latest issue of Magnet today, and--as the title of this post might suggest--a certain life-changing foursome was on the cover. I was a little surprised to see their mugs gracing a magazine cover quite this early in the lead-up to Wincing The Night Away, but that's nothing compared to the shock I felt when I read through the story. There's some bold claims in that article, starting with it's author, Corey Dubrowa, proclaiming The Shins to be "this decade's defining indie-rock act." Of course Sub Pop president Jonathan Poneman gets in on the fun too, quoted as saying "I don't want to assign them some unnecessary spokesperson-of-a-generation handle, but it's hard to imagine a band more instrumental to Sub Pop's renaissance than the Shins."
I can't speak for the band or anything, but I know I'd be kind of upset if this kind of hyperbole was being tossed around with my name on it a few months before one of the most important moments in my career. What do the rest of you think? Can Wincing The Night Away possibly live up to the hype?

Posted in: THE SHINS

12 Responses

October 11, 2006 at 6:53 a.m.

John Zeiss

I know they pretty much played the entire new album straight through when I saw them at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. I really wasn't that impressed.As for "defining indie rock act of this decade," I think Modest Mouse might have something to say about that. And "band most instrumental to Sub Pop's rennaisance," strictly on sales, would actually be The Postal Service.

October 11, 2006 at 7:37 a.m.

joydivided

know what corey's day job is? Bill Gates' publicist. you know boy does it big.

October 11, 2006 at 7:42 a.m.

Matthew Gasteier

Modest Mouse and The Postal Service are right.I would regrettably have to say Death Cab for Cutie are the band to name here.

October 11, 2006 at 9 a.m.

Chad Peterson

Let's not forget Built to Spill, who was responsible for launching Modest Mouse.

October 11, 2006 at 9:06 a.m.

Davey T

See I think the problem here is that people like to talk about defining voices of a generation or time period before that time is even over. Next thing you know we're going to be talking about the best album of 2007 when none have officially come out yet.All I know is the hype for this Shins album is huge, especially because the last two were great and the date kept getting pushed back. Live up to the hype? It's going to have to be damn good.

October 11, 2006 at 10:54 a.m.

EtotheG

the Shins -- waaaaaaaaaaaaay overrated.

October 11, 2006 at 11:04 a.m.

John Zeiss

Another problem with "Shins as voice of a generation" is that this will only be their 3rd album. The bands we've been bandying around above--Modest Mouse, Death Cab, Built to Spill--have become the elder statesmen of the scene. The Shins still seem very much a "wait and see" kind of thing.

October 11, 2006 at 12:48 p.m.

allen manitoba

will it live up to the hype? maybe. there are two different kinds of shins fans. those who came to the band because of garden state, and those who came to the band before garden state, back when james mercer was scoring gap commercials and whatnot. for the former, the album will probably live up to the hype--whatever that means--just because it's the shins and you know, it's cool to like the shins. they're underground man. i think the latter group is probably a little more judicious. it will be a fine album and will be good enough to write home about, but it won't live up to 'the hype.' plus they will hold against it the fact that i'll have been 3.5 years since chutes, and they will hold against it all of the press that the shins have gotten since garden state.regardless of how good the record is, it will get worse reviews than inverted world and chutes just because the shins went sort of indie mainstream. i heard new slang on a clear channel radio station this morning. pitchfork and prefix and popmatters and all the others will hold that against it.

October 20, 2006 at 12:19 p.m.

prefix » Blog Archive » Track Review:

[...] Related Links: The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (CD Review) Shins Hype Reaches Critical Mass (Blog Post)            [...]

October 28, 2006 at 11:47 a.m.

John

With the album floating around online...it certainly does not live up to the hype...chutes too narrow will remain their best.

December 21, 2006 at 3:43 p.m.

Andrew

Is it just me or has everyone grown weary of Pitchfork's pretentious, smarter-than-thou musical condesention? You should judge a record on the goddamn music, not on whether it's cool or uncool. I've gotten to a point where I can call what albums they'll award the coveted (i.e. bullshit) perfect 10 rating. They'll probably throw "Wincing" a 5.7 and call it a disappointment (also, what's with the fucking point ratings... is giving something a round number not specific enough?). I can see the assholes at Pitchfork now, stroking their chins over whether something should be an 8.4 or an 8.5. Bastards...

January 11, 2007 at 1:40 a.m.

Casey

This is not a listen once and judge album. It must be dissected, analyzed, and appreciated. I have had the album passed to me by a college friend. Let me tell you I loved Phantom Limb, but upon the first listen it was clear the rest of the album wasn't as good, it was however the best thing i've heard all year but not greater than artists like The Beatles, Johnny Cash, or The Rolling Stones.But wait! I listened and listened, and finally one night (maryjane helped) the album just became clear. It really challenges you to advance your thoughts on what 'music' is. An indescribably good album, believe the hype.

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