The Shins – Wincing The Night Away (Vinyl LP)

Wincing the Night Away is the acclaimed third studio album from American indie-rock band The Shins, originally released in January 2007 through Sub Pop Records. Following the success of Oh, Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow, frontman and principal songwriter James Mercer expanded the band's sound with richer arrangements, experimental production and a more atmospheric approach to songwriting. The result is a beautifully crafted collection of indie rock, psychedelic pop and melodic alternative music.

The album opens with Sleeping Lessons, beginning with shimmering electronic textures before building into an energetic, guitar-driven finale. Australia follows with bright melodies, intricate guitar work and one of Mercer's most memorable vocal performances. The brief instrumental Pam Berry leads into Phantom Limb, a standout single combining dreamy harmonies, fuzzy guitars and infectious indie-pop songwriting.

Sea Legs introduces a more experimental direction, incorporating hip-hop-inspired rhythms, atmospheric keyboards and layered instrumentation. Red Rabbits continues the album's adventurous sound with unusual piano textures and orchestral flourishes, while Turn on Me returns to the band's signature combination of jangling guitars, sharp lyrics and irresistible melodies.

Elsewhere, Black Wave explores a darker, more restrained atmosphere, and Spilt Needles blends electronic experimentation with angular guitar arrangements. Girl Sailor delivers another beautifully melodic indie-rock performance before closing track A Comet Appears brings the album to a gentle, reflective conclusion.

Recorded across several studios with production contributions from James Mercer, Phil Ek and Joe Chiccarelli, Wincing the Night Away represents an important evolution in The Shins' sound. The album retains the band's distinctive melodic sensibility while incorporating electronic experimentation, expansive arrangements and increasingly sophisticated songwriting. It remains a defining release of the 2000s indie-rock era.

This vinyl LP edition features all eleven original album tracks across two sides, including the favourites Australia, Phantom Limb, Sleeping Lessons and Turn on Me.

Supplied brand new and sealed.

Available now from Heathen Records, your independent Australian online record store specialising in new and collectible vinyl.

Details

• Artist: The Shins
• Album: Wincing the Night Away
• Format: Vinyl LP
• Original Release: 2007
• Genre: Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Alternative Rock
• Record Label: Sub Pop Records
• Catalogue Number: SP705
• Tracks: 11
• Condition: Brand new and sealed

Tracklist

Side A

• A1 Sleeping Lessons
• A2 Australia
• A3 Pam Berry
• A4 Phantom Limb
• A5 Sea Legs

Side B

• B1 Red Rabbits
• B2 Turn on Me
• B3 Black Wave
• B4 Spilt Needles
• B5 Girl Sailor
• B6 A Comet Appears