The Shins’ sixties-like melodic pop sound combined with melancholic lyrics result in a compilation of ironic tunes in “Chutes Too Narrow,” the group’s new CD.The Shins were formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1997 and released their first CD, “Oh, Inverted World,” in 2001. Singer James Mercer and his “Shins” toured, released a few singles, and then started over again with the latest release, making the second time around a lot sweeter.
“Chutes Too Narrow” is getting a lot of attention, perhaps due to relatively better production in comparison to the first release. But the guys had a bigger budget to work with this time, the result being a sound reminiscent of the 60’s but delivered with a contemporary edge.
Mercer’s lyrics wind through intimate betrayals and relationships gone sour and are expressive of raw nerve broken down by the untainted and innocent.
My discovering the Shins was pure happen-stance. Flipping channels on TV one night, a talk show guest was shouting the introduction of the guest band, “The Shins!” he screamed.
It was shear curiosity at the interesting band name that caused me to hesitate before resuming the ritual channel surfing. That’s when I heard “Pink Bullets,” a mellow blend of acoustic and electric guitar, and a strong youthful voice and from a guy who looked a bit like a young Kevin Spacey.
I fell in love with their sound and their lyrics (reminding me of The Smiths in some ways). The very next day I bought “Chutes Too Narrow,” my best album purchase since The Strokes’ “Is This It.”
“Fighting in a Sack” is one of the best on the album, running neck and neck with “Kissing the Lipless,” “Pink Bullets,” “So Says I,” and “Turn on a Square.” The barbed lyrics and loping pop of “Chutes Too Narrow” are proving to be The Shins’ ticket to indie-pop infamy.