Whether they're jumping at you with electronica-brushed outbursts, math-rock moments, or subtle acoustic yearnings, Shipping News always maintains that spooky sound. The rough-around-the-edges feel that gives you the shivers each time you hear it. Reminding you of walking down a dark alley by yourself, late at night, and hearing footsteps, turning around, scared shitless, and realizing its the girl from the bar you wanted to take home but thought was ignoring you.

It's these subtle twists, the fear-turned-happiness that fuels their songs. Throughout the 14-tracks found on Three-Four, Shipping News is relentless in their approach, bringing you to the ledge many times, only to grab you and pull you back in before playing with your mind a bit more.

The songs here are dark, relaxed, and confident, capable of making you feel or believe whatever they want. That is the power of their songs. I'll give it an A-.

Shins, The: Oh, Inverted World

Shoeshine Blue: Shoeshine Blue

[Issue Fifty-Eight // March 2003]