Oh Inverted World at Shop Ireland

Oh Inverted World by: Shins

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List Price: €11.48 (£9.99)
Our Price: €5.75 (£5.00 / £5.15 inc. Irish VAT)
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Rating:
16 reviews

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Publisher: Sub Pop
Release date: 7th January, 2002
Media: Audio CD

Format

Enhanced

Track List

Caring Is Creepy
One By One All Day
Weird Divide
Know Your Onion
Girl Inform Me
New Slang
Cellbate Life
Girl On The Wing
Your Algebra
Pressed In A Book
Past And Pending

Editorial Review

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

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Average rating - (more reviews)

Rating: - 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.

Rating: - 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 :-)

Rating: - Garden State Killed My Shins

The lone star is for the genius of the last song on the album. The rest has been sucked dry by mr scrubs and his pointless fanbase.

Rating: - Oh, Inverted World

The Shins make great pop music. All of the songs on this album have a bright, catchy appeal. They are laid back but refreshingly original. My particular stand-out tracks are Caring is Creepy, Know Yr Onion!, New Slang, Girl on the Wing and Pressed in a Book. The only one I skip is the befuddling Your Algebra.

As well as the quality music, James Mercer's lyrics are a delight in themselves. Lines like 'a luscious mix of words and tricks' or 'no icicles stuck in my hide' show what an inventive lyricist he is. A pity you cannot always discern the words in the songs, but the CD jacket has them printed.

Chutes Too Narrow is the more accessable album so you may want to start your Shins experience there, but this is still amazing and well worth your money.

Rating: - Gorgeous

I kept meaning to go and see Garden Sate but missed it, so missed out on The Shins until a couple of days ago when my son played me a compilation album one of his pals had made up with Caring is Creepy on it and I was hooked. Was worried that Caring would be the best thing on the album, but it isn't ;there's not a bad song on it. New Slang is just lovely, the lyrics are beautiful ; never mind I've no idea what they mean.
Words like " beautiful " get bandied around far too easily to describe bland pap ( step up James Blunt and Katie Melua) but this really is beautiful, thoughtful and intelligent

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