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. DexterVane
    Sep 6, 2014
    9
    This is more for people who didn't learn about the shins in "The Garden State" (not that there's anything wrong about that). Although not as good as Oh, Inverted World, still an amazing album. Simply a pleasure to listen to.
  2. t_metzz
    Sep 5, 2013
    10
    Despite the boring performances, The Shins (James Mercer) has been a part of countless brilliant pieces of music and this album is his master piece...
  3. KerimBlue
    Mar 22, 2012
    10
    This album is the perfect example of Mercer's amazing song writing abilities. Each track on the album is filled with witty phrases and carefully crafted diction that listening to once is not an option. This songs are timeless. The opening track, "Kissing the Lipless," sounds nothing like the songs from the previous album, but makes a fresh new style for The Shins on this album. Chutes TooThis album is the perfect example of Mercer's amazing song writing abilities. Each track on the album is filled with witty phrases and carefully crafted diction that listening to once is not an option. This songs are timeless. The opening track, "Kissing the Lipless," sounds nothing like the songs from the previous album, but makes a fresh new style for The Shins on this album. Chutes Too Narrow switches it up from "New Slang," a song that made the band popular, but new in this case, new is definitely not bad. Fantastic album, just perfect.… Expand
  4. j30
    Jan 24, 2012
    9
    This is my favorite record by a band named The Shins. There's no sophomore slump to be seen here, in fact I think it's better than it's predecessor.
  5. Vampire25
    Mar 20, 2011
    9
    May not be better than Oh, Inverted World but Chutes Too Narrow is a near perfect album.The melodic hooks is so catchy, that it'll be stuck in your head long before you hear the album. It also gets better with each listen and I know that's a cliche but it's very true. The opener "Kissing The Lipless" is a wonderful opener that really shows James Mercer's vocal talent. He truly is aMay not be better than Oh, Inverted World but Chutes Too Narrow is a near perfect album.The melodic hooks is so catchy, that it'll be stuck in your head long before you hear the album. It also gets better with each listen and I know that's a cliche but it's very true. The opener "Kissing The Lipless" is a wonderful opener that really shows James Mercer's vocal talent. He truly is a wonderful singer. The musicianship is great and the lyrics will get to you. All In All, Chutes Too Narrow is an adventure through weird places that I recommend you definitely take a ride on this expedition. A-… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. GriffT
    Aug 30, 2009
    9
    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.
  8. BenB
    Apr 15, 2009
    10
    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 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.… Expand
  9. RobV.
    Jul 12, 2008
    10
    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.
  10. Iggy
    Feb 11, 2008
    10
    One of the best albums I have ever heard. Gives me LSS all the time.
  11. DanW
    Oct 1, 2007
    10
    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.
  12. 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.
  13. Joris
    Jan 21, 2007
    6
    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!
  14. HamishNerd
    Nov 6, 2006
    10
    This is one of the best Albums ever made in the history of the world.
  15. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    9
    Near to perfection.
  16. helloWaVe
    Jul 30, 2006
    7
    Pretty good. The Shins have talent and it shows. After you own this album for a little while you'll know where to skip around to. Some of the songs become skipable after you've gotten their point. Some just take a certain mood to listen to. What makes a band great is the ability to understand you don't have to be sad for their sad song or angry along side their rage. This Pretty good. The Shins have talent and it shows. After you own this album for a little while you'll know where to skip around to. Some of the songs become skipable after you've gotten their point. Some just take a certain mood to listen to. What makes a band great is the ability to understand you don't have to be sad for their sad song or angry along side their rage. This may be a quality thats gained when bands play like no ones watching them. A quality thats natural and endearing and something I felt they had more of on "Oh, Inverted World."… Expand
  17. AmyH
    Jun 30, 2006
    10
    It was AMAZING.
  18. bobbyJJ
    Jun 26, 2006
    1
    Disappointing, very disappointing.
  19. DavidM
    May 12, 2006
    9
    It just gets better and better with every listen. An album I keep returning to. Timeless song writing and a great sound.
  20. ElliotM
    Apr 28, 2006
    9
    Catchy, melodic and wonderfully surreal.
  21. Tenochtrips
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    Deserves a 14. Buy this yesterday.
  22. JoeB.
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    There is not one song I can stop listening to on this album, and I've had it for months. The lyrics are some of the most inventive I've heard in a while, the melodies are uplifting or mellow or just darn creative depending on the song, and Mercer's voice fits just perfectly. Inverted World had a very hazy sound that fit fine, but the clearer tone of the vocals here makes it There is not one song I can stop listening to on this album, and I've had it for months. The lyrics are some of the most inventive I've heard in a while, the melodies are uplifting or mellow or just darn creative depending on the song, and Mercer's voice fits just perfectly. Inverted World had a very hazy sound that fit fine, but the clearer tone of the vocals here makes it even better, in my opinion. Favorites are "So Says I", "Young Pilgrims", and "Turn A Square." Buy this now.… Expand
  23. JasonW
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    Brilliant. I thought the overall selection of this album was an improvement over Inverted World. It's one of those albums you can just listen to over and over again...
  24. MichaelH
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    This album is brilliant. Lyrically provactive and moving, all ears should hear these excellent tracks.
  25. JaneW
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    Delicious!
  26. KellyP
    Dec 3, 2005
    10
    This is a gem in a stream full of kidney stones.
  27. BenD
    Oct 11, 2005
    9
    Louder, faster, and all around better than Oh Inverted World. Insted of retrogressing to the 60s style of pop music like on their debut, they take this form of music and make it sound new and modern. Unlike their peers such as Of Montreal and Apples in Stereo, I couldn't imagine hearing The Shins back in the 60's.
  28. AnthonyT
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    An instant classic. Mercer's virtuoso lyricism places him right up there with Stipe and Yorke. Impeccible songwriting and execution. On top of how great Chutes is on disk, the Shins take the songs to a whole new level live. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they get a few dates at Radio City or the Beacon!
  29. salomey
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    It's not often musical brilliance sounds s "ordinary" as this wonderful wonderful.
  30. NathanF.
    Sep 2, 2005
    10
    Its really good i like it lot its calming.
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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
See all critic reviews »