Chutes Too Narrow
In the 2004 film *Garden State*, Natalie Portman’s character famously claims that listening to a track from The Shins’ debut record will “change your life.” That statement holds true for this sophomore effort from the Albuquerque, NM-based band. It’s a stellar display of ’60s-influenced indie pop wizardry spiked with sing-song melodies, jangly guitars, and labyrinthine lyrics delivered in a giddy, breathless rush. Even when you can’t make out precisely what James Mercer is saying, the sentiment behind his words lands like an arrow to the heart.
The Shin’s 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 Straner went even further with, “…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.
Reality television, actors-turned-governors, and wrestlers-turned-rappers aside, it's hard to think of many things that elicit cynicism and offhand dismissal ...