The Shins [ tickets ] made nary a false move in the climb from little indie band to "Garden State"-anointed life changers in 2004. It was hard not to be won over by the band's unassuming charm and frontman James Mercer's talent for writing songs that had the shine of '60s nuggets.

Of course, bands get to be the new darlings only so long, and the ante was up for "Wincing the Night Away." While The Shins' debut album, "Oh, Inverted World," and follow-up, "Chutes Too Narrow," felt fresh and somewhat effortless, "Wincing" had a long labor, and the production by Mercer and Joe Chiccarelli shines a bright light on a band that previously could hide in DIY shadows.

Opener "Sleeping Lessons" sets the tone with a dreamy keyboard pattern and studio treatment that makes Mercer's voice sound like it's being beamed from Mars. With the additional audio detail, the listener spends more time examining the production, musing about the Morrissey mannerisms of "Sea Legs" and Spectorish shadings of "Turn on Me." The influences never threaten to overwhelm The Shins' sound, but they do make you wonder what records they have in their collections.

After a few listens, "Phantom Limb," "Australia," "Red Rabbits" and "A Comet Appears" begin to sound like new favorites as they win their way into your heart. Mercer's writing gifts are intact, even if some of the moves are starting to sound familiar. Whether that familiarity breeds contempt or fondness depends on your feelings about The Shins, but don't blame "Garden State."