Chutes Too Narrow (20Th Anniversary Remaster)

米チャートにもランクインしゴールド・ディスクも獲得したザ・シンズのセカンド・アルバム『シューツ・トゥ・ナロー』の20周年記念盤(リマスター)。様々なメディアのベスト・オブ・ザ・ディケイドにもランクインする歴史的作品。

当作は、The Shinsの愛すべきセカンド・アルバム『Chutes Too Narrow』の2023年エディションで、バンド・リーダーのJames Mercerが監修し、Adam Ayanがリマスターを施した、20周年記念盤となる。
『Chutes Too Narrow』は、バンドの2001年のデビュー・アルバムでブレイク作、『Oh, Inverted World』に続く作品だ。当時、シンガー・ソングライター/ギタリストのJames MercerとドラマーのJesse Sandovalはアルバカーキからオレゴン州ポートランドに移り、ベーシストのNeal Langfordに代わって、ファースト・アルバムの代表曲「New Slang」でベースを弾いていた元Scared Of ChakaのDave Hernandezが加入。アルバムは、Jamesの地下の自宅スタジオでレコーディングされ、後にPhil Ek(Built to Spill、Modest Mouse、David Cross、Les Savy Fav他)がミキシングを担当。全10曲/30分強の中に、繊細で、内省的で、完璧なまでのポップ・イノベーションを感じることが出来る作品へと仕上がった。
2003年にリリースされたアルバムは、Pitchforkでベスト・ニュー・ミュージックを獲得。Rolling Stoneは4つ星を与え、NewYork Times、MOJO、Village Voice、SPIN等も絶賛。その後、The AV Club、NME、Paste、Pitchfork、Uncutのベスト・オブ・ザ・ディケイドにランクインした。

Oh, Inverted World transformed the Shins from indie rock underdogs to one of the styles most beloved bands, and deservedly so: it sounded fresh and timeless, universal and uniquely personal. It was so good that it may have raised expectations unfairly for their second album, especially since fans had to wait two-and-a-half years for it. But if the band felt any external pressures while making the album, they must pale in comparison to the internal pressures Chutes Too Narrow expresses. Restrictions and reversals abound in the Shins music, from the names of their albums to their short-yet-circular songs and the often contradictory feelings they pack into them. They excel at sounding happy, sad, frustrated, and vulnerable at the same time, and their best songs, whether theyre fast or slow, feel like theyre bursting with nervous energy. The giddy, almost unearthly bittersweetness that made "Know Yr Onion!" and "New Slang" instant classics isnt immediately evident here; though their previous songs didnt travel obvious paths, Chutes Too Narrows tracks are even more subtle and roundabout. are even more roundabout. Veering off course is a recurring theme: On the winding "Young Pilgrims," James Mercer sings, "I know there is this side of me that wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and fly this whole mess into the sea." Indeed, Chutes Too Narrow isnt exactly the expected follow-up to Oh, Inverted World. Its a leaner album -- at just over a half-hour long, there are no interludes or summery atmospheres here. Even the songs that recall Oh, Inverted World, such as the bouncy but brooding "So Says I" and "Mines Not a High Horse" -- which, with its harmonies and hovering keyboards, is one of the most typically Shins songs on the album -- feel more understated. Understated doesnt mean underdeveloped, though; Chutes Too Narrows might be slightly less immediate than the Shins debut, but that doesnt mean the album lacks great songs. It begins with one of the best, "Kissing the Lipless." Largely acoustic with an intricate, shifting structure, the song builds up to unpredictable spikes of guitar and an amazing high note, forged out of pain and frustration, from Mercer when he sings "You told us of your new life there." The elaborately lovely, slightly spooky "Saint Simon" sounds like Nilsson backed by the Left Banke. "Turn a Square" is one of Chutes Too Narrows rockier songs, a tangle of lust and nerves that features the great lyrics "Just a glimpse of an ankle and I/React like its 1805." Mercer has always been a distinctively witty and affecting songwriter, but the albums subtler sound lets his gifts as a lyricist shine. On "Pink Bullets," he takes the time to notice "The scent of your skin and some foreign flowers." Initially, Chutes Too Narrow might seem as light and fleeting as dandelion fluff or snow flurries blowing in the wind, but its carefully crafted words and melodies keep the listener wanting -- and coming back for -- more. ~ Heather Phares