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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
  4. spongebobsquarepants
    Jun 28, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable record. Just can`t stop listening to it.
  5. 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".
  6. AmyH
    Jun 30, 2006
    10
    It was AMAZING.
  7. Iggy
    Feb 11, 2008
    10
    One of the best albums I have ever heard. Gives me LSS all the time.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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!
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. ES
    Jul 11, 2004
    10
    Simply fantastic, great melodies, great hooks, great lyrics, great everything. Songs work amazing live as well.
  15. Sarah
    Aug 1, 2004
    10
    just. can't. get. enough.
  16. SharonN
    Aug 12, 2004
    10
    Oooh, this is a good cd. I love it alot.
  17. JayS
    Jan 11, 2005
    10
    Fantastic album. James Mercer is shaping up to be one of the great songwriters of our generation.
  18. JohnF
    Jan 7, 2005
    10
    Quite Simply the best album i have heard in years (possibly since "Is this It" by the Strokes). Every song is a masterpiece, mixing elements of pop, coutry, alt rock: every style you can think of. There are so many hooks in each song that by the time you hear one and register it in your mind, another one has come along to blow you away. The shins really have a unique sound, but familiar Quite Simply the best album i have heard in years (possibly since "Is this It" by the Strokes). Every song is a masterpiece, mixing elements of pop, coutry, alt rock: every style you can think of. There are so many hooks in each song that by the time you hear one and register it in your mind, another one has come along to blow you away. The shins really have a unique sound, but familiar at the same time: each song will remind you of a song you have heard a million times before. The only problem with this album is that it is so good, i'm scared i might overdose on it, and then i'll have nothing. The Shins Rule.… Expand
  19. valeriep
    Jul 20, 2005
    10
    I cannot stop listening to this disc. I'm gonna start slipping it under my pillow at night, hoping to dream about it.
  20. JohnS
    Sep 2, 2005
    10
    Best album I have - apart from Sgt. Pepper's, but thats a pretty amazing album. Kissing the Lipless? Saint Simon? Turn a Square? ALL LEGENDARY! But this band is the best around (maybe since the beatles!),
  21. salomey
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    It's not often musical brilliance sounds s "ordinary" as this wonderful wonderful.
  22. 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
  23. BenR.
    Nov 15, 2003
    10
    This is a wonderful album. The Shins have amazing sound of 60's rock meets art rock. Think early Beatles meets Pink Floyd or Radiohead, but slightly minimalistic. The album also seems to get better with every listen. I've listened to it 9 straight times now, and I'm still not even slightly tired of it. That has only been accomplished to The White Stripes' Elephant, and This is a wonderful album. The Shins have amazing sound of 60's rock meets art rock. Think early Beatles meets Pink Floyd or Radiohead, but slightly minimalistic. The album also seems to get better with every listen. I've listened to it 9 straight times now, and I'm still not even slightly tired of it. That has only been accomplished to The White Stripes' Elephant, and The Strokes' Is This It, which are two excellent albums also. I would recommend this album to anybody who appreciates good music.… Expand
  24. coy
    Dec 13, 2003
    10
    Pop beauty. Breathtaking melodies and gorgeous lyrics with rich imaginery. What else can you ask for?
  25. SealBK
    Oct 16, 2004
    10
    best EVER!!!!! Saw them in Austin, Texas....holy crap....the SHINS RULE!!!
  26. CarloD
    Feb 11, 2004
    10
    A masterpiece! Great tunes, great lyrics, great sound. "No flaws to find".
  27. TheWalrus
    Mar 16, 2004
    10
    Outstanding, after the overhyped garbage of recent retro style over substance bands its good to see something as refreshingly melodic and pleasing to listen to. Far and away the best new album I've bought since The Optimist LP.
  28. ShintoI
    Mar 24, 2004
    10
    WHATT!!! Saint Simon is!!! The most beautiful balladry and harmony I've heard since.. the Beach Boys??? This is the best band in the world, gents... They move your head, move your body, move your soul... make you feel the best you've ever felt.. what a gift!
  29. Desipio
    Mar 24, 2004
    10
    A real page turner, without the pages of course... Mercer really rolls out some great lyrics, unique melodies, hooks, and the like..
  30. krystalw
    Mar 31, 2004
    10
    "so says i" is a great contribuation of the world. "Saint Simon" has an almost entrancing aspect. Altogether it is a great cd and i would recommend it to those who aren't single minded or conformed to the robotic nature of the world
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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 »