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. DustinC.
    Oct 21, 2003
    8
    Good album, but not as good as Oh, Inverted World. The songs sometimes feel a little strained and not as "easy" sounding as Oh, Inverted World. Still a quality listen, and better than most albums that have come out recently.
  2. JustinB
    Apr 6, 2004
    8
    Very nice indeed, im in love with Kissing The Lipless, the first song i am discovering. Very fresh album i think
  3. helloWaVe
    Jul 30, 2006
    7
    Pretty good. The Shins have talent and it shows. After you own this album for a little while you'll know where to skip around to. Some of the songs become skipable after you've gotten their point. Some just take a certain mood to listen to. What makes a band great is the ability to understand you don't have to be sad for their sad song or angry along side their rage. This Pretty good. The Shins have talent and it shows. After you own this album for a little while you'll know where to skip around to. Some of the songs become skipable after you've gotten their point. Some just take a certain mood to listen to. What makes a band great is the ability to understand you don't have to be sad for their sad song or angry along side their rage. This may be a quality thats gained when bands play like no ones watching them. A quality thats natural and endearing and something I felt they had more of on "Oh, Inverted World."… Expand
  4. TimE
    Jan 13, 2005
    6
    Not groundbreaking, not even that great! There's a reason this band got little airplay!!!!!
  5. Joris
    Jan 21, 2007
    6
    Not one of the best albums ever made, gets a bit too mellow overall with some standouts inbetween. However "So Says I" is one of the best songs in a long time. Thank The Shins for that!
  6. TrevorR.
    Nov 6, 2003
    5
    Blah, rather boring, not as catchy or addictive as their first album.
  7. EricF.
    Dec 6, 2004
    5
    Overrated! Yeah, some of the songs are really great, but this album has just too much hype surrounding it. It's just a simple pop album: nothing groundbreaking, nothing special. Verse/chorus/verse yadda yadda.
  8. tyler
    Apr 28, 2005
    1
    It sucks.
  9. bobbyJJ
    Jun 26, 2006
    1
    Disappointing, very disappointing.
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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
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