The Shins today released their much awaited new album today, titled "Wincing the Night Away."

For those who haven't heard of The Shins (which is a lot of people), they are a band who rose to fame and commercial and critical success when their songs were featured on the soundtrack to the movie Garden State several years ago.

The Shins have a unique indie rock style. The wordy, imagistic, and mostly cryptic lyrics are interesting and the hooks are usually good. Wincing the Night Away is a continuation of the band's previous recordings as well as a move away, not necessarily forward. But a move somewhere. Wincing the Night is a good album--though maybe not for everyone.

All in all, I would say that the album is interesting--the type of album you can listen to all the way through and be entertained. The kind of album that maybe has no definite radio single, but is a highly enjoyable listen.

I would definitely recommend using that gift certificate to iTunes that you got for the holidays on purchasing this album. Either this one or the new Tenacious D album. I am only slightly kidding.

YOu can listen to the ENTIRE album at The Shins' Myspace site, http://www.myspace.com/theshins