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THE SHINS

The Shins

Chutes Too Narrow - 20th Anniversary Remaster

    This 2023 edition of The Shins’s beloved second album, Chutes Too Narrow, celebrates the album’s 20th anniversary with a fresh remaster by Adam Ayan, supervised by band leader James Mercer, and lovely new packaging for the vinyl. Following The Shins’s breakout 2001 debut, Oh, Inverted World, 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, Chutes Too Narrow is a brief yet entirely scintillating glimpse at chiming, reflective and perfectly skewed pop innovation. It was released to widespread acclaim in 2003, garnering Pitchfork’s Best New Music, four stars from Rolling Stone, and raves from the New York Times, MOJO, the Village Voice, SPIN, and tons more. It subsequently made best-of-the-decade lists from The AV Club, NME, Paste, Pitchfork, and Uncut.

    TRACK LISTING

    Kissing The Lipless
    Mine's Not A High Horse
    So Says I
    Young Pilgrims
    Saint Simon
    Fighting In A Sack
    Pink Bullets
    Turn A Square
    Gone For Good
    Those To Come 

    The Shins

    Oh, Inverted World - 20th Anniversary Edition

      Oh, Inverted World, the earth-shattering, indie-rock-redefining 2001 debut album by The Shins, is presented here in its finest form, dressed up all nice for its 20th birthday. The classic tunes get new life by way of a full remastering job under band leader James Mercer’s watchful eye, the art is given a little extra zest via a die-cut jacket and a classy inner sleeve, and the package is rounded off with a big ol’ booklet with vintage photos, handwritten lyrics, and more.

      The music, of course, is obviously essential. Aside from a friendly reminder that this is the album with the smash hit “New Slang,” as heard in the hit movie Garden State, we just need to note that the remastering job truly makes this the album James Mercer always wanted it to be. Never quite satisfied with the sonics of the original, Mercer took the 20th anniversary of the album as his opportunity to finally set the (literal!) record straight. And the results sound stellar: great for new fans, and well worth the attention of those already on board!

      For old times’ sake, here’s what we had to say about this record back when it came out: Hailing from Albuquerque, NM, The Shins sprung from the ashes of Flake/Flake Music in 1997 (though those previous incarnations date back nearly a decade) – same members, different instruments, different approach. Counterpoint guitars have given way to a single guitar pitted against calculated keyboard passages; swarming indie rock machinations led to pop-based melodic endeavors (who knew?).

      TRACK LISTING

      Caring Is Creepy
      One By One All Day
      Weird Divide
      Know Your Onion!
      Girl Inform Me
      New Slang
      The Celibate Life
      Girl On The Wing
      Your Algebra
      Pressed In A Book
      The Past And Pending

      The Shins

      Wincing The Night Away

        It could be said that The Shins’ third album, ‘Wincing The Night Away’, was one of the most heavily anticipated record of 2007. Post ‘Garden State’ notoriety, the band have reached beyond their indie-darling status to something approaching mainstream recognition.

        TRACK LISTING

        Sleeping Lessons
        Australia
        Pam Berry
        Phantom Limb
        Sea Legs
        Red Rabbits
        Turn On Me
        Black Wave
        Split Needles
        Girl Sailor
        A Comet Appears

        The Shins

        Chutes Too Narrow

          Quite a departure from their "Oh Inverted World" debut. Gone is the 60s Beach Boys / Byrdsian low key production, "Chutes Too Narrow" has a much more updated sound. The same off-kilter songs are still there, but the vocals are brought right up front, and give the whole album a crisp, bright feel, while in the background, guitars jangle and backing harmonies intertwine beautifully.

          TRACK LISTING

          Kissing The Lipless
          Mine’s Not A High Horse
          So Says I
          Youg Pilgrims
          Saint Simon
          Fighting In A Sack
          Pink Bullets
          Turn A Square
          Gone For Good
          Those To Come

          The Shins

          Oh, Inverted World

            The Shins carry the indie rock torch with their own subtle orchestral stamp. Think the pop side of Built To Spill or a more out-there Beachwod Sparks. Perfect pop sounds with an edge of weirdness.

            TRACK LISTING

            Caring Is Creepy
            One By One All Day
            Weird Divide
            Know Your Onion (Album Version)
            Girl Inform Me
            New Slang
            The Celibate Life
            Girl On The Wing
            Your Algebra
            Pressed In A Book
            The Past And Pending


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