Chutes Too Narrow
by The Shins
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2003
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 212 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 181 out of 212
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 212
  3. Negative: 25 out of 212

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  1. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    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.
  2. TrevorR.
    Nov 6, 2003
    5
    Blah, rather boring, not as catchy or addictive as their first album.
  3. tyler
    Apr 28, 2005
    1
    It sucks.
  4. bobbyJJ
    Jun 26, 2006
    1
    Disappointing, very disappointing.
  5. EricF.
    Dec 6, 2004
    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.
  6. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    10
    Apparently James Mercer caught a glimpse of heaven and then translated it into the sublime harmonies found on 'Saint Simon.' I mean... wow. What great, great music.
  7. johnv
    Mar 8, 2004
    9
    super-pop. The Strokes wish they made music this good. Brian Wilson's name has been brought up here before and with good reason...
  8. DustinC.
    Oct 21, 2003
    8
    Good album, but not as good as Oh, Inverted World. The songs sometimes feel a little strained and not as "easy" sounding as Oh, Inverted World. Still a quality listen, and better than most albums that have come out recently.
  9. JustinB
    Apr 6, 2004
    8
    Very nice indeed, im in love with Kissing The Lipless, the first song i am discovering. Very fresh album i think
  10. OysteinB
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    A brilliant album. It has occupied my CD-player for the last month. Simply one of top pop albums of 2003 and one that will last.
  11. TimG
    Aug 28, 2004
    10
    Every single song on this album is brilliant! From When You Land Here It's Time, to Oh Inverted World, to Chutes Too Narrow, James Mercer gets better and better. Chutes Too Narrow is my favorite release of 2003 and one of my favorite CDs ever!
  12. MaynoC
    Jan 3, 2005
    9
    Awesome album...lyrical and very poetic. These guys sound great. Hey Eric F., what do you know?! Aren't most songs in that format? Whoever said they were groundbreaking? And lastly, it's not a simple pop album...I think the music and lyrics went over your head.
  13. BrendanZ
    Jan 9, 2005
    9
    Fantastic, inspirational album. I havne't got Oh, Inverted World and have heard great things about it, so I am in the lucky position of being able to listen to it for the first time soon. But yeah this album is just spectacular - GREAT songs, great voice.
  14. spongebobsquarepants
    Jun 28, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable record. Just can`t stop listening to it.
  15. AH
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    This is one of those albums that i never get tied of listening to. I love the shins and i love every track. They're absolutely awesome. i rate this as good as "oh, inverted world".
  16. TomT
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    Excellent disc. Harmonies as good as Jellyfish, with the feel of TMBG thrown in. I can't stop listening to it.
  17. AmyH
    Jun 30, 2006
    10
    It was AMAZING.
  18. MattA
    Feb 9, 2007
    9
    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.
  19. Iggy
    Feb 11, 2008
    10
    One of the best albums I have ever heard. Gives me LSS all the time.
  20. Tom
    Nov 6, 2003
    10
    this might be the album of the year. It's without a doubt in my top 5. These guys flat out know how to write killer songs.
  21. DavidC.
    Oct 21, 2003
    10
    It uses brighter and louder instruments to perfect the already pure sound they achieved in their previous album. It has the amazing capability to strike you on a musical level, but when you phase the lyrics into your consciousness you get caught off guard because of their brilliance. I love everything about them: The vocals, the pop sound, the purity, and the lyrical wit. It's a must have.
  22. GJO.
    Oct 21, 2003
    10
    Even though their first CD will always rate as the best album ever, I still see 'Chutes too Narrow' as a worthy successor. The Shins are absolutely great!
  23. JSe
    Dec 18, 2003
    9
    This is my second-favorite album of the year. Effing brilliant. Fighting in a Sack, So Says I and Turn a Square are the three bounciest, most energetic songs I've heard in ages, and the album overall is miles better than their first, which was itself pretty revelatory. Buy it, no caveats at all.
  24. MikeM.
    Dec 3, 2003
    9
    Impressive. It's great to listen to an album where lyrical prowess and melody are so effortlessly fused.
  25. NormanD
    Oct 23, 2003
    10
    The best American band since the Pixies have created another gem of melody, joy, wistfulness and understated grandeur. Make them the legends they deserve to be.
  26. wackyman
    Jan 7, 2004
    9
    Sounds/feels like Brian Wilson's psychedelic trip into the 21th century. Keep up the good work lads.
  27. jackied
    Mar 10, 2004
    10
    This cd is so good there fun melodies take you to another world and its so magical in the way his voice just floats from the speakers to your mind and lifts up your spirits my favorite cd at the moment.
  28. DuibeDuibe
    Apr 7, 2004
    10
    An amazing album, sure to go down as a classic in the annals of rock/pop hisroy, CTN is an improvement over their awesome debut. Mercer is one of the most talented pop musicians alive today.
  29. ES
    Jul 11, 2004
    10
    Simply fantastic, great melodies, great hooks, great lyrics, great everything. Songs work amazing live as well.
  30. Sarah
    Aug 1, 2004
    10
    just. can't. get. enough.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2003
12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2003
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Uncut
    90
    You don't expect progression from such evident classicists, but there's a new clarity, poise and refinement. [Apr 2004, p.107]
  2. Stylus Magazine
    82
    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]
  3. Dusted Magazine
    100
    On Chutes, Mercer’s voice is singing right next to you, and the change works wonders.
    Read full review
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