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A Taste of Honey
Rock · 2017

A Taste of Honey

The Shins

April 3, 2017 · 30th Century Records

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This single represents a fascinating detour for The Shins, trading their signature jittery indie-rock energy for a slow-motion, orchestral crawl.

It is a cover of the 1960s standard, but James Mercer and producer Danger Mouse strip away the brassy cheer of the Herb Alpert version in favor of something much darker. The sound is defined by thick, syrupy string arrangements that feel like they are physically pressing down on the listener, creating a sense of beautiful, claustrophobic weight.

Moments Worth Listening For
the transition from the sparse opening guitar to the lush, widescreen orchestral swell
Mercer's vocal delivery on the word honey, stretching it out with a slight, mournful vibrato
the way the percussion mimics a slow heartbeat during the bridge's instrumental breakdown
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does A Taste of Honey sound next to the rest of The Shins's catalogue?

ATMPROVOCINSLYR
Midnight+4.0σ

Midnight saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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