The Shins - Chutes Too NarrowHailing from Albuquerque, NM, The Shins sprung from the ashes of Flake Flake Music in 1997 (though those previous incarnations date back nearly a decade) same members, different instruments, different approach. Counterpoint guitars gave way to a single guitar pitted against calculated keyboard passages; swarming indie rock machinations led to pop based melodic endeavours. This quartet from Albuquerque, New Mexico captured our hearts this summer with

was an event too momentous for the medium assigned to record it

from San Francisco

Fittingly enough

Many of the tracks are favourite cover versions indicating the band's disparate influences and musical tastes

"Johnny and Mary" featuring Bryan Ferry

Songs celebrate

The new album was recorded at the band's Chicago loft and is released on their own label

another long time collaborator from his hometown

newly remastered and lavishly repackaged and released on CD

and Phil Manzanera are among the excellent personnel) provide exciting textures on a collection as beguiling as it is invigorating

Available on CD and LP

the thirteen chambers of Shanghai'd Soul have led a generation of lyrical chefs and production geniuses to compose some of their most ominous hip-hop