Chutes Too Narrow

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 with, "...a referential, brilliant record which had better blow up, or the world has forgotten what pop music is all about." Chutes Too Narrow, their heavily anticipated follow-up, was recorded in James' home studio, with 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. Chutes Too Narrow is exactly what Shins fans are hoping for and much more.