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Chutes Too Narrow
by The Shins
Phil Ek produced this sophomore effort for the Albuquerque-based group led by James Mercer (also of Flake), who wowed critics in 2001 with their 1960s-flavored debut 'Oh, Inverted World.'
| LABEL: |
Sub Pop |
| RELEASE DATE: |
21 October 2003 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Pop |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
100
Dusted Magazine
On Chutes, Mercer’s voice is singing right next to you, and the change works wonders.
100
Amazon.com
On every tune, Mercer packs more hooks and melodic invention than most bands do on one album. As a whole, it's an even better record than Inverted World.
100
Alternative Press
[They] satisfy largely by serving up more of what made their debut so good. [Dec 2003, p.142]
100
Mojo
It sears through the essence of what makes this band special, the brave voice and ebullient delivery of singer-songwriter-guitarist James Mercer. [Apr 2004, p.98]
91
Entertainment Weekly
Just the record you'd want: production a bit bigger, and songs more adventurous but no less indelible. [Listen 2 This supplement, Oct 2003, p.14]
90
Magnet
A better record than the Shins' first--a sonically bolder production with fewer effects and more hooks per square inch than a flyrod factory. [#61, p.109]
90
Uncut
You don't expect progression from such evident classicists, but there's a new clarity, poise and refinement. [Apr 2004, p.107]
90
Delusions of Adequacy
An incredible record.
90
Splendid
The Shins' second effort sparkles with a clarity that was not always evident on their debut and energizes with a spark and an enthusiasm that previously seemed forced.
90
PopMatters
The Shins dare to take some chances on this CD, and their boldness winds up elevating this album over their first one by a considerable margin.
89
Austin Chronicle
Every emotion is intense and genuine, and the musicianship is just as moving as Mercer's lyrics.
89
Pitchfork
Not simply an excellent album, Chutes Too Narrow is also a powerful testament to pop music's capacity for depth, beauty and expressiveness.
83
E! Online
Any music snob who has ever fantasized about grafting Belle & Sebastian's deceptively sweet melodies onto Modest Mouse's angular rhythms and riffs needs look no further than the Shins.
80
No Ripcord
Despite the weak finish, Chutes Too Narrow is still a fantastic next step for the Shins, building on the wildly successful formula of Oh, Inverted World, while still managing to push their sound in new directions.
80
Dot Music
If you can’t find something here that has you smiling and quoting the old saw about rumours of indie’s death being greatly exaggerated, it’s time to take up opera.
80
Under The Radar
Sounding even sparser in instrumentation and sonic flavor than the previous record, Chutes often comes across like a Mercer solo project. [#5, p.104]
80
Playlouder
Recalls the overwhelming splendour of the Go-Betweens at their finest.
80
All Music Guide
Chutes Too Narrow's breezy subtlety is less accessible than the Shins' debut, but that doesn't mean the album lacks great songs.
80
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Without the thrill of discovery, it's no shock that the returns have diminished slightly on Chutes Too Narrow. But a minor step down from greatness still sounds damn good.
80
Q Magazine
A leap forward. [Apr 2004, p.120]
78
Almost Cool
Despite having a lot in common with their first disc, there are some slight variations in sound that make Chutes Too Narrow even better than its predecessor.
76
ShakingThrough.net
Chutes Too Narrow proves the Shins have more on their minds than singing the perfect harmony or writing the ultimate couplet, and it's that deeper sense of introspection that makes it a keeper.
75
Spin
Mercer staggers from self-doubt to self-righteousness with each song, concealing razor blades inside his caramel-apple anthems. [Dec 2003, p.133]
70
The Guardian
[Chutes] finds Albuquerque's finest further mining their own private bittersweet seam, kicking off with the pop turbulence of Kissing the Lipless and absurdly joyous Mine's Not a High Horse, before reaching another career peak with the dizzying exuberance of So Says I.
70
CultureDose.net
Shins fans will find this a solidly enjoyable album.
70
Blender
Their second album is equally charming and more consistent. [Nov 2003, p.120]
60
Neumu.net
Seems to be the culmination and synthesis of a solid musical progression from good, yet uncertain and unchallenging, pop music to better, more confident, but still unchallenging, pop music.
The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 140 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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