Beginning with {&"Caring Is Creepy,"} which opens this album with a psychedelic flourish that would not be out of place on a late-1960s {$Moody Blues}, {$Beach Boys}, or {$Love} release, {$the Shins} present a collection of retro {\pop} nuggets that distill the finer aspects of classic {\acid rock} with surrealistic lyrics, independently melodic basslines, jangly guitars, echo laden vocals, minimalist keyboard motifs, and a myriad of cosmic sound effects. With only two of the cuts clocking in at over four minutes, {^Oh Inverted World} avoids the penchant for self-indulgence that befalls most outfits who worship at the altar of {$Syd Barrett}, {$Skip Spence}, and {$Arthur Lee}. Lead singer {$James Mercer}'s lazy, hazy phrasing and vocal timbre, which often echoes a young {$Brian Wilson}, drifts in and out of the subtle tempo changes of {&"Know Your Onion,"} the jagged rhythm in {&"Girl Inform Me,"} the {$Donovan}-esque {\folksy} veneer of {&"New Slang,"} and the {$Warhol}'s Factory aura of "Your Algebra," all of which illustrate this New Mexico-based quartet's adept knowledge of the {\progressive}/{\art rock} genre which they so lovingly pay homage to. Though the production and mix are somewhat polished when compared to the memorable recordings of {$Moby Grape} and early-{$Pink Floyd}, {$the Shins} capture the spirit of '67 with stunning accuracy. ~ Tom Semioli, All Music Guide