.co.uk Oh, Inverted World, the sun-baked debut album from Albuquerque indie quartet The Shins, signposts a fascinating change of direction for Sub Pop Records. Back in the early 90s, bands like Nirvana and Mudhoney made the name synonymous with the dark, angst-ridden grunge sound. Now, it would seem, Sub Pop wears a flower in its hair. The florid harmonies and bucolic acoustics of "Caring Is Creepy" and "Know Your Onion" bring to mind a vision of the verdant hills and gleaming bays of California that's remained largely dormant since The Beach Boys hung up their surfboards: a sound that's undeniably nostalgic, but so vividly realised and perfectly recorded it seems almost churlish to mention it. It's not all simple sunshine pop, either: the delicate, melancholy spaghetti western strum of "New Slang" recalls the barren desertscapes of Ennio Morricone, while the shadowy, monastic vocals and trilling cellos of "Your Algebra" provide a chilling two minutes of commendably dark psychedelia. Sure, it might have one foot in the past but Oh, Inverted World sounds like a fresh start for Sub Pop--one that drowns out the muddy roar of grunge with the hum of good vibrations. --Louis Pattison
C**O
I. LOVE. THISSS
This is one of those fantastic cds that have only good songs. Sadly the next two albums i did not like as much, but this is literally such an amazing album! When i first listened to it i thought it was ok, and then after a few listens i just fell in love. I actually dont let myself listen to it that much, because i dont want to get bored of it! The best songs are, new slang, caring is creepy, girl inform me, past and pending (heath ledger had that played at his funeral!), the others are great too but i think those are just tawp nawtch.....kay go and buy it now.
B**G
Love it
Love it
J**B
Great album
Bought it after watching Garen State, it's a great album.Dispatched quickly and arrived only a couple of days later
S**O
Oh, Inverted World
I confess that I came to `Oh, Inverted World' after hearing `New Slang' and `Caring is Creepy' on a friends CD, but I am glad to say I am pleasantly surprised by the rest of the music on offer. Those two mentioned tracks are probably the most immediately accessible but that means that the other tracks require some patience and repeated listening to get the most out of them. There is a slightly Beatles-esque feel to this band at times and as others have noted a 6o's vibe about them. Also, if you sit and read the lyrics at the same time as listening to the music you can't help but be impressed by the poetry on offer; be it slightly off the wall and kooky! If you are aware of the Sub Pop record label then you will have a pretty good idea of what this music will be like. Most of their artists have a similar style or vibe about them and this is no exception. Overall this is an original band and a good collection of tracks that may take a few listens to get the most out of, but once you do you will be glad you took the time.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
B**S
Five Stars
Very pleased.
R**O
Five Stars
nice cd!
J**S
A 21st Century masterpiece...
2001's 'Oh, Inverted World' remains one of the great albums released thus far in the zeroes - a classic I'd rate alongside such albums as 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot','Mass Romantic','snow borne sorrow','69 Love Songs','Carbon Glacier','Turn on the Bright Lights'& 'Lift Yr Skinny Fists...'It was on some Sub Pop samplers I became aware of The Shins - the wonderful 'New Slang (When You Notice the Stripes' sounding like a more sophisticated Elliott Smith. The Shins album fitting into a similar spectrum to acts like Apples In Stereo,The Kingsbury Manx and The New Pornographers. There's a sense of pop here, alongside elements of folk and psychedelia - any fans of more recent bands like The Arcade Fire and The Decemberists should find much here to adore!It's all wonderful, having that melancholic autumn feel to things - songs like 'Girl Inform Me' and the Blur-meets-Van Dyke Parks of 'The Weird Divide' are ideal songs to fall in or out of love to. As the sticker on a more recent reissue notes, two songs here the aforementioned 'New Slang' and opener 'Caring is Creepy' featured in the indie-movie 'Garden State'- though whether this is a good thing or not depends if you thought it was minor-pseudo indie fare which irritated profoundly, having the depth of an episode of 'The OC'!I love this album, though it's not that long; the follow-up 'Chutes Too Narrow' was fine too, though as some reviews have noted - the weight of expectation and claims of greatness for this debut dilute its effect. The oddest track here remains 'Your Algebra', which reminds me a little of Pink Floyd's 'Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast' and a lot of Dead Can Dance's 'Severance' for some reason! Closing joy 'The Past and Pending' remains the highlight, gorgeous melancholic folk-inflected rock that veers off into psychedelic territory with some gorgeous french horn...A 21st Century masterpiece and an album no one should be without anyway!
K**A
This album is freakin amazing!
This is album is simply amazing. I love all the songs, they are very melodic and the lyrics are just breathtaking!Strongly recommend to give all of this a listen even if you only know New Slang :-)
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