Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Chutes Too Narrow - The Shins
Chutes Too Narrow Image
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 149 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 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.'

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Mojo
    100
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Alternative Press
    100
    [They] satisfy largely by serving up more of what made their debut so good. [Dec 2003, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Neumu.net
    60
    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.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 103 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 107
  3. Negative: 2 out of 107
  1. Tubie
    10
    I know like me a lot of people got into this band after watching Garden State. I did and I am not ashamed of that! I love this band even today where their sound might not have aged well. I remember this album very fondly because the music was perfect for me for the time and what I was going through in life.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. EricF.
    5
    Overrated! Yeah, some of the songs are really great, but this album has just too much hype surrounding it. It's just a simple pop album: nothing groundbreaking, nothing special. Verse/chorus/verse yadda yadda.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  3. bobbyJJ
    1
    Disappointing, very disappointing.
    • 0 of 3 users said yes

See all 107 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of the Decade, Music

    Ten Years of Metacritic: The Best Music of the Decade

    Ten Years of Metacritic: The Best Music of the Decade Image
    Published: December 15, 2009
    Our best of the decade coverage begins with a look at the top-rated albums and artists of the past 10 years. Who finished on top? A band from Austin, and a record that was 37 years in the making.
    More »

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Loveless [Reissue] - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 96
  2. Ram [Deluxe Edition] - Paul & Linda McCartney
    Metascore: 93
  3. L.A. Woman - The Doors
    Metascore: 93
  4. On the Impossible Past - The Menzingers
    Metascore: 93
  5. Biokinetics [Reissue] - Porter Ricks
    Metascore: 93
  6. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 91
  7. Reform Club - Claro Intelecto
    Metascore: 89
  8. Be Good - Gregory Porter
    Metascore: 89
  9. Crown and Treaty - Sweet Billy Pilgrim
    Metascore: 88
  10. 1992-2012 - Underworld
    Metascore: 88
  11. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
  12. Accelerando - Vijay Iyer Trio
    Metascore: 87
  13. R.A.P. Music - Killer Mike
    Metascore: 87
  14. Voices from the Lake - Voices from the Lake
    Metascore: 87
  15. The Earn - Yu
    Metascore: 86
  16. Europe - Allo Darlin'
    Metascore: 86
  17. Young Man In America - Anais Mitchell
    Metascore: 86
  18. Vee Vee [Remastered] - Archers of Loaf
    Metascore: 86
  19. Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions - Billy Bragg/Wilco
    Metascore: 86
  20. Locked Down - Dr. John
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »