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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Chutes Too Narrow
Universal acclaim
Based on 28 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 142 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sub Pop
Release Date: 21 October 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Pop
Summary
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.'
Also By This Artist: Wincing The Night Away
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site Shins @ Sub Pop
What The Critics Said
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...
Dusted Magazine
On Chutes, Mercer’s voice is singing right next to you, and the change works wonders.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
[They] satisfy largely by serving up more of what made their debut so good. [Dec 2003, p.142]
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]
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]
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]
Uncut
You don't expect progression from such evident classicists, but there's a new clarity, poise and refinement. [Apr 2004, p.107]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle
Every emotion is intense and genuine, and the musicianship is just as moving as Mercer's lyrics.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Not simply an excellent album, Chutes Too Narrow is also a powerful testament to pop music's capacity for depth, beauty and expressiveness.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Review 1: All the elements of timelessness are there, but the songs just don’t seem to live beyond the last note. [score=73] Review 2: The Shins’ music has grown by leaps and bounds. [score=90]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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]
Playlouder
Recalls the overwhelming splendour of the Go-Betweens at their finest.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
A leap forward. [Apr 2004, p.120]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Spin
Mercer staggers from self-doubt to self-righteousness with each song, concealing razor blades inside his caramel-apple anthems. [Dec 2003, p.133]
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.
Read Full Review >Blender
Their second album is equally charming and more consistent. [Nov 2003, p.120]
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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 142 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Griff T gave it a9:
Great album. Not as whimsical as their first, but in the thoughtful direction of their 3rd. Definitely one of the best of the 2000's.
Ben B gave it a10:
Knowing that I should only dole out occasional 10s, I'm struggling to find a reason to give this album just a 9. There isn't any. This is one of the greatest pop recordings of this decade. Every single song is melodic and beautiful, and Mercer adventurously singing outside his range coupled with an outstanding hook on every song but the last make this an absolutely timeless album. In my opinion, the best songs are: Kissing the Lipless, Mine's Not a High Horse, Young Pilgrims, Saint Simon, Pink Bullets, Turn a Square, and Gone for Good, but truthfully, what makes this album great is that every song complements the others and is beautiful on its own.
Rob V. gave it a10:
Being a long time Shins fan, I have found chutes too narrow to be their best by far. The Lyrics and music seem to blend perfectly with it's Positive tone towards life.. This is one of those albums you listen to on repeat again and again.
Iggy gave it a10:
One of the best albums I have ever heard. Gives me LSS all the time.
Dan W gave it a10:
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can come close to James Mercer's knack for melody. The majority of pretenders aren't fit to wipe his arse. This is the best album ever.
Matt A gave it a9:
Excellent. It never trys too hard to be fantastic. All the songs are well balanced and never annoying. It's hard to find it's flaws, however, you know they're there... but you ignore them due to the quality of the music.
Joris gave it a6:
Not one of the best albums ever made, gets a bit too mellow overall with some standouts inbetween. However "So Says I" is one of the best songs in a long time. Thank The Shins for that!
