Chutes Too Narrow

Chutes Too Narrow is a 2003 album by The Shins centered on James Mercer’s concise, melody-forward songwriting. It blends jangly guitars, piano, tight rhythmic interplay and layered vocal harmonies into compact indie pop and alternative rock songs with cleaner, more direct arrangements than the band’s debut. The album emphasizes focused songcraft and hook-driven melodies that helped define The Shins’ early sound.