"Port of Morrow" by The Shins
Music Review: Port of Morrow
Follow anticipation down to the corner of expectations, and at this intersection you will find The Shins’ fourth album. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be happy.
There have been some major changes in the band in the 5 years since their last release, including an overhaul of some of its core members. With a new lineup, “Port of Morrow” makes it clear that James Mercer is the real brain behind the operation. His singing and song writing have remained consistently fantastic over the years, earning him a spot as a true indie icon.
The meatiest track is the first single, “Simple Song.” Equal amounts indie and pop, it’s everything you could hope for in a Shins song.
Tracks like “Bait and Switch” and “The Rifle’s Spiral” have a fun quality, a healthy amount of synth, and would easily fit on “Wincing The Night Away.” “For a Fool” and “September” are reminiscent of a simpler, more acoustically driven time, explored way back in “Oh, Inverted World.” It’s as if each album was a puzzle piece, fitting together seamlessly, and expanding the frame of what their music was, is and has become.
Still looking for a better description of the Port of Morrow experience? Well, it’s like walking through a freshly bloomed garden on an early spring day with your ladylove holding one hand, and a big, juicy hoagie in the other. You may not remember every last flower, or what your girlfriend was talking about on that given day, but you can still taste the flavor explosion from that hoagie on your lips.
It’s a pleasant experience from beginning to end, and I’m happy to give it a raving 8.4 out of 10 on the Butter Meter.
"Valtari" by Sigur Ros
Music Review: Valtari
The Icelandic post-rockers are back with their most ethereal album to date. Valtari is a slow-paced meshing of sound washes and pads that is sure to saturate your soul and pierce your psyche. Billowing guitars and flowing string arrangements are accented by Jonsi’s siren-like, falsetto voice to create beautifully timeless music.
It often sounds like alien transmissions from a far off land are being intercepted, as the vocals ebb and flow in a foreign language, which apparently is some form of Icelandic gibberish. But frankly, I don’t give a damn. He could be singing about a big, hairy fella's sweaty gooch, and I’m sure it’d still sound beautiful.
In recent years, Jonsi has been exploring a more pop driven style with songs like, “Gobbledigook” and “Inni mer syngur vitleysingur” off the band’s last album, and “Go Do” and “Boy Lilikoi” from his recent solo release. This shift of frame yielded excellent results, but now, they have returned to a more ominous style, similar to that from their 2002 release, “( ).”
With the exception of “Varuo,” the album lacks the grandiose builds these guys have perfected with songs like “Festival” and “Glosoli” (Do yourself a favor and watch the "Glosoli" music video, if you haven’t had the pleasure), but the music still maintains a real sense of emotional evocation. Jonsi is a truly brilliant musician with a refined taste and effortless sense of orchestration. Give the guy a bow and a piece of crap, and I’d still be confident in his ability to create something magnificent. In my opinion, he is one of the premiere artists of our time. I’m already excited for his next release.
I give the album a resounding 8.8 out of 10 on the Butter Meter.
Theo Love: Film Director
Commissioned Bio: Theo Love
Short Version:
Theo Love is an accomplished director best known for his work in the documentary genre. His “absorbing” first feature, “Little Hope Was Arson,” was a New York Times Critic’s Pick. Love is also an Emmy-winning editor, commercial director, and award-winning short filmmaker.
Long Version:
With a name like Theo Love, some would say he was destined for stardom, in one form or another. Fortunately, he has the talent the name deserves. Love is an award-winning director and international storyteller, best known for his work in the documentary genre. His “absorbing” first feature, “Little Hope Was Arson,” was a New York Times Critic’s Pick and played on PBS’s Independent Lens series. This film set the stage for Love to transform the doc world with his new, outrageous feature: “White Tide.” Love is also an Emmy-winning editor, commercial director, and award-winning short filmmaker.