Album reviews: The Shins, Old 97s and Colin Hay

From the playful stylings of The Shins to the still kickin’ Old 97s to a frequently introspective Colin Hay, here are reviews for the new albums by these three venerable acts: James Mercer takes the helm on “Heartworms,” producing The Shins’ fifth album and shaping the band’s style and identity as much as ever. Mercer creates a diverse set of tunes which remain playful even when he explores relationships where nothing appears to be simple or straightforward.