The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow

Description

Sub Pop proudly presents Chutes Too Narrow, the second album by The Shins, on cassette for the first time ever. Chutes Too Narrow originally came out in 2003, and its other formats have sold a cumulative total of over 570,000. Here’s what we had to say about Chutes Too Narrow back in 2003: The Shins’ debut full-length, 2001’s Oh, Inverted World, was a stunner; resoundingly well-received and landing itself on numerous year-end best-of-lists. MOJO placed it at #14 of the year and commented, “This quartet from Albuquerque, New Mexico captured our hearts this summer with their pristine pop perfection.” And, Seattle’s The Stranger went even further, calling it “a referential, brilliant record which had better blow up, or the world has forgotten what pop music is all about.” As far as we’re concerned it did blow up – seems there’s still some hope for the world and its conception of pop music. Since that first record, singer/songwriter/guitarist James Mercer and drummer Jesse Sandoval moved from Albuquerque to Portland, OR, and bassist Neal Langford was replaced with Dave Hernandez (ex-Scared Of Chaka), who played bass on the stand-out track from the first record, “New Slang.” Chutes Too Narrow, their heavily anticipated follow-up, was recorded in James’ basement home studio, with later mixing assistance from Phil Ek (Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, David Cross, Les Savy Fav, etc.). And, with 10 songs, clocking in at just over 30 minutes, the new record is a brief yet entirely scintillating glimpse at chiming, reflective, and perfectly skewed pop innovation.