Oh, Inverted World [ENHANCED]

The Shins

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B00005JSHW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (277 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,018 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Something extraordinary is afoot in Albuquerque. The Shins' first big-time record, Oh, Inverted World, combines mysterious narratives with golden song structures, resulting in lavish and opulent indie pop. Touches of Neutral Milk Hotel's lyrical majesty and the nostalgic swirl of Echo and the Bunnymen abound. But the Shins' music--rich with acoustic guitars, flickering rhythms, and Casio-tone keyboards--is distinct and peculiar. Worry mixes with abstraction throughout, and while James Mercer sings, "You led no celibate life / No skirt while chemicals danced on your head / You stole the keys to this ride / And your fables are falling tonight," you may wonder if he's been routing through your fondest, most troubling memories. This vital album is easily among 2001's most distinguished recordings and one of the best Sub Pop releases to date. --Thom Arno

Product Description

Hailing from Albuquerque, NM, The Shins sprung from the ashes of Flake/Flakemusic in 1997 (though those previous incarnations date back nearly a decade) - same members, different instruments, different approach. Counterpoint guitars have given way to a single guitar pitted against calculated keyboard passages; swarming indie rock machinations led to pop-based melodic endeavors.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 171 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Flexeril 20 mg TID baby, January 11, 2004

By	My Uncle Stu (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This is not music that can be analyzed intellectually. Or, perhaps I should say it is not music that can be analyzed intellectually by someone with my intellectual limitations. But some great albums owe their greatness to their lyrics, some to the musicianship on display. This album is a great album because of its feel. The vibe. This album has a certain feel to it that is consistent from the first note to the last. And it's an irresistible one. The best analogy would be watching the Teletubbies on four quaaludes, outside in a Jacuzzi on a crisp mid-autumn day amidst the blossoming juniper trees while sipping a strawberry/banana Tanqueray smoothie. I hope that captures it. I hear their next album is more eclectic but not as satisfying, I don't know, I haven't heard it yet. Uncle Stu loves you. Buy this album! Peace.

114 of 136 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great album--all the way through, October 1, 2001

By	C. Boros (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Shins have managed to combine the best in pop sounds with everything from acoustic ballads, psychedelic sounds and pure rockers. While they maintain strong melodies and pop influence, there is still a hint of experimental sounds throughout this album-whether it's from odd keyboard approaches or wacky lyrics, the Shins have created an album that cannot be compared to anything but the Shins.

For a debut release, it's nice to see a band being a band and not following current trends. This could very easily be one of the finest new bands I have discovered. No song runs over four minutes and not one track on this albums needs skipping past-they all work on all sorts of levels.

The album's opening song, "Caring is Spooky" has such a great feeling to it. "Know Your Onion" is a great teenage rebel type song-talking about a "pimple and angry" kind of guy. The album's single "New Slang" is possibly one of the best acoustic songs I've ever heard-even though there is a great but simple electric guitar section too. And we cannot forget "Girl On The Wing"-easily the best song on the album. It rocks, has an interesting type of time signature, and a great, corky keyboard background.

This is simply a great Indie Rock/Pop album from a band that will be making wavs. It will be interesting to see where they go next. Give it a try.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "lucked out, found my favorite record...", November 14, 2001

By	Thessaly "thessaly" (Australia) - See all my reviews

...well, maybe not my all-time *favorite* record, but I had to use a quote from the album for the review title...

I bought this thing having heard only one song, once, on the radio. Impulse buys are fun. I really lucked out this time. "Oh, Inverted World" is a great album. On the first listen, it's really good, and it improves over time.

I am not the type of person who plays an album twice in a row, or even once every day; I usually wait a few days between listens, not wanting to over-play an album to death. But this one's different. I can't get enough of it. And on every listen, I discover new things: new hooks, cool rhythm stuff, weird little sounds in the background. The songs are the kind that work themselves into your brain and rattle around in there for (literally) several days, and you don't mind at all. They are all standout tracks, except one or two, and even those are still very good songs.

The lyrics are unique, and good. The first couple times, the writing style comes across as quite strange. But once you get used to the style, you start to really like it, and it's so much fun to gradually puzzle out what he's talking about. I still don't understand the meaning of all the songs, so there's another reason to keep playing the record...

I wish this band had more releases, I would buy them immediately. I also wish I had the chance to see them live with Modest Mouse or Preston School of Industry, like some other reviewers, but in Australia that's not likely. I'll have to be content with playing "Oh, Inverted World" over and over again. And that is fine by me, really.

In conclusion: get it, get it, get it. Try, if you can, to find the enhanced version with "Sphagnum Esplanade" and the video for "New Slang"; but even without those, it would be a great album. So go and buy it.