The Shins released their latest album, “Port of Morrow” on March 20, 2012 after a five year absence.  Although  there are new band members, Frontman, James Mercer still remains and Yuuki Matthews, Richard Swift, Jessica Dobson and Joe Plummer have joined.  With Mercer continuing his role as the leader of the band and the addition of new performers, the latest Shins album does not disappoint.

When Dave Hernandez, Jesse Sandoval, and Marty Crandall left many thought that would be the end of the Shins; however, the new additions to the band prove they are not done yet.  With the pressure high to live up to the old band memebers, Matthews, Swift, and Plummer have a  lot on their plate.  However, they filled the shoes of the former band memebers very well and brought a new aspect to the band.  Although the Shins lost three band members, they have not lost their touch.  Mercer did a great job finding suitable musicians to make this new album a success.

The first song on the new album, “The Rifle’s Spiral”, starts off with a gloomy feel but ends in sn overall optimistic mood.  Other key songs on the album include “September,” and “For a Fool.” “September” brings back the style of their old music, which many fans will appreciate.  Whereas, “No Way Down” has a new pop sound to it that makes it hard to connect with the rest of the songs on the track and past albums. One of the stronger tracks on the album has to be “Fall of 82”, where the Shins take on a more classic rock feel. Although some tracks on the album seem over done,  it is still a great comeback for the Shins.

The cover song “Port of Morrow” has some of the best vocals in it, especially Mercer with his amazing falsetto. The glum ambiance of the songs ends the album in a less optimistic and more melancholy way.

With such a strong album the Shins have proven that desipite having only one original band member remains, they are as good as they have ever been.  Overall, “Port of Morrow” was a triumph comeback for the Shins.