Story's Journal of (mostly) Stuff He Likes

storymilo · 10-16-2009, 05:21 PM

A quick review before I undergo my next project

The Shins- Chutes Too Narrow

1. Kissing The Lipless
2. Mine's Not A High Horse
3. So Says High
4. Young Pilgrims
5. Saint Simon
6. Fighting In A Sack
7. Pink Bullets
8. Turn A Square
9. Gone For Good
10. Those Too Come

For a long time when I was younger (up until about 11 years old) I really had no interest in music. Oh sure, I would listen to it but I didn't have my own taste. There were no bands that I liked, or favorite genres. So much of my experience of music was through what my parents would play.

My dad listened to a lot of stuff that I liked and still does. My mom, though, played her mixes. She burned these mixes to CDs and played them in the car. A lot of it I now realize wasn't that great, but one band she liked was The Shins. I still like these guys and ever since my first experience with them in the care when I was 5 I've always loved their sound.

They have a pretty easy-going sound, reminiscent of Built To Spill and Modest Mouse, which is probably because the producer who mixed the album, (Phil Ek), also worked with those bands. The album focuses a lot on really great, catchy melodies and fantastic vocal harmonies, especially on the song Saint Simon. It is also more guitar-oriented than their previous album Oh, Inverted World.

However, what I really love about this album is the pace. Too often when listening to music I find myself bored. It's not just bad, boring music that does this to me. I will love a band but after a little while of listening will often want to switch to something else. The Shins don't do this to me. Every song on the album, no matter fast or slow, is great, and I can easily listen to this album all the way through when I couldn't with many others.

Overall, I would definitely suggest getting this album for some great easy listening. Don't expect any deep meaningful lyrics (although the do have a nice whimsical quality) or experimental synthesizer sounds, but do expect a great catchy album with some nice production.

8.5/10

Some of my favorites from the album

Arya Stark · 10-18-2009, 08:49 AM

Ohh, the way you wrote this is wonderful, much more professional. ;] I remember the music I listened to when I was little, it was either stuff I heard on the radio or whatever my parents played.

Well done. I'll listen to those videos once everyone wakes up here. xD

FETCHER. · 10-18-2009, 11:57 AM

good review story, i like how you done a review on something influenced on you by your parents. asSugar said, i always listened to the radio or stuff my parents (or siblings, im not sure your aware but they are 8&9 years older, so they had a huge effect on my tastes) so i either listened to the likes of stereophonics (dad), oldskool stuff like Kelly Llorenna, alice deejay (siblings) and the likes of some AC/DC (mum). i might check them out once im finished being busy

. but i will make a point of listening to atleast a few songs.

storymilo · 10-18-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks guys

Ok, it's time for.....

Story's Weekly... Thing

So the idea is that once a week or about I will try to tell you about something that I think is interesting, fun, cool, or etc. It can really be anything but as of now I'm just kind of starting this off with not much of an idea. Anyways... let's get on with the show:

The Shaggs

A lot of you have probably heard of The Shaggs. Basically, the deal is they were three sisters who started a band in 1968 because their father wanted them to.His mother had "foresaw" three things when he was young, which is that he would marry a woman with strawberry-blond hair, would have to sons after she died, and his daughters would form a popular rock group. Because the first two came true he decided to make the second come true as well.

The thing is his daughters had no idea how to play instruments. They got a couple lessons on playing and singing, but they were really inexperienced in the ways of music. They had also had zero intention of forming a group themselves, it was just their dad's idea that they went along with.

This is really the whole reason I like these guys so much. Their music isn't beautiful, or perfect, or even good. It's just so childish and pure that it's really interesting to me. They only had one album, 1969's Philosophy Of The World, before they gave up due to various reasons, and it tanked. But now today, lots of people know about The Shaggs, and I think it's really cool that they have actually reaches fame.

tgpo · 10-18-2009, 06:41 PM

The Shins, very nice. I first heard them at around 2am on MTV when they showed the music video for Know Your Onion. I've been hooked ever since.

Guybrush · 10-27-2009, 05:31 AM

My girlfriend loved The Shins when we first got together so I've had some exposure to them and they certainly have some good songs. Nice review with a personal touch

Molecules · 10-27-2009, 12:43 PM

the Shaggs are one of my foremost 'recommended artists' on Last.fm due to the proliferation of lo-fi stuff in my library... although I have never really been into much of the 'idiot savant' stuff like Half Japanese and Beat Happening, if I'm honest it seems a bit gimmicky... check out Dolly Mixture for simplistic all-girl indie popness

VEGANGELICA · 10-27-2009, 12:45 PM

Hi storymilo,
I especially enjoyed The Shins' "Kissing the Lipless." I like their use of both acoustic and electric guitar, and I loved the feeling when the electric guitar first comes in with jolts of raw excitement, like zaps of electricity. Their vocals are sweet and warm, and I feel the way they sing gives the song, a bell-like tone, a ringing quality. Finally, I liked the contrast between the calmer, meandering parts of the tune and the higher vocal lines. I'd never heard of the Shins, so it is fun to listen to them. I hadn't heard of the Shaggs, either! That's an interesting true story about them!

storymilo · 10-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Molecules, I wouldn't suggest them for any kind of serious listening. I don't even own the album, I just think it's a really interesting story and some different music from everything else I listen to.

Vegangelica, those are some of the things I like most about The Shins

. If you like that song I would definitely suggest getting the album, as they keep that sort of vibe throughout the whole thing.

I'll try to get in another review sometime soon guys. My schedule has been packed for the past week or so.

VEGANGELICA · 10-27-2009, 05:34 PM

I'll definitely listen to more of the Shins' music--turns out I *have* heard some of their songs (like "Phantom Limb")...I just didn't know which group sang them! I'm listening to all their free music on The Shins myspace now. I'll look forward to what you post next in your journal so I can get more inspiration!

10-18-2009, 06:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
tgpo Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 207	The Shins, very nice. I first heard them at around 2am on MTV when they showed the music video for Know Your Onion. I've been hooked ever since. __________________ tgpo.org \| Last.fm

10-27-2009, 05:31 AM	#16 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	My girlfriend loved The Shins when we first got together so I've had some exposure to them and they certainly have some good songs. Nice review with a personal touch __________________ Something Completely Different

10-27-2009, 12:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	the Shaggs are one of my foremost 'recommended artists' on Last.fm due to the proliferation of lo-fi stuff in my library... although I have never really been into much of the 'idiot savant' stuff like Half Japanese and Beat Happening, if I'm honest it seems a bit gimmicky... check out Dolly Mixture for simplistic all-girl indie popness __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

10-27-2009, 03:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	Thanks for the feedback guys. Molecules, I wouldn't suggest them for any kind of serious listening. I don't even own the album, I just think it's a really interesting story and some different music from everything else I listen to. Vegangelica, those are some of the things I like most about The Shins. If you like that song I would definitely suggest getting the album, as they keep that sort of vibe throughout the whole thing. I'll try to get in another review sometime soon guys. My schedule has been packed for the past week or so.

10-16-2009, 05:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	A quick review before I undergo my next project The Shins- Chutes Too Narrow 1. Kissing The Lipless 2. Mine's Not A High Horse 3. So Says High 4. Young Pilgrims 5. Saint Simon 6. Fighting In A Sack 7. Pink Bullets 8. Turn A Square 9. Gone For Good 10. Those Too Come For a long time when I was younger (up until about 11 years old) I really had no interest in music. Oh sure, I would listen to it but I didn't have my own taste. There were no bands that I liked, or favorite genres. So much of my experience of music was through what my parents would play. My dad listened to a lot of stuff that I liked and still does. My mom, though, played her mixes. She burned these mixes to CDs and played them in the car. A lot of it I now realize wasn't that great, but one band she liked was The Shins. I still like these guys and ever since my first experience with them in the care when I was 5 I've always loved their sound. They have a pretty easy-going sound, reminiscent of Built To Spill and Modest Mouse, which is probably because the producer who mixed the album, (Phil Ek), also worked with those bands. The album focuses a lot on really great, catchy melodies and fantastic vocal harmonies, especially on the song Saint Simon. It is also more guitar-oriented than their previous album Oh, Inverted World. However, what I really love about this album is the pace. Too often when listening to music I find myself bored. It's not just bad, boring music that does this to me. I will love a band but after a little while of listening will often want to switch to something else. The Shins don't do this to me. Every song on the album, no matter fast or slow, is great, and I can easily listen to this album all the way through when I couldn't with many others. Overall, I would definitely suggest getting this album for some great easy listening. Don't expect any deep meaningful lyrics (although the do have a nice whimsical quality) or experimental synthesizer sounds, but do expect a great catchy album with some nice production. 8.5/10 Some of my favorites from the album

10-18-2009, 02:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	Thanks guys Ok, it's time for..... Story's Weekly... Thing So the idea is that once a week or about I will try to tell you about something that I think is interesting, fun, cool, or etc. It can really be anything but as of now I'm just kind of starting this off with not much of an idea. Anyways... let's get on with the show: The Shaggs A lot of you have probably heard of The Shaggs. Basically, the deal is they were three sisters who started a band in 1968 because their father wanted them to.His mother had "foresaw" three things when he was young, which is that he would marry a woman with strawberry-blond hair, would have to sons after she died, and his daughters would form a popular rock group. Because the first two came true he decided to make the second come true as well. The thing is his daughters had no idea how to play instruments. They got a couple lessons on playing and singing, but they were really inexperienced in the ways of music. They had also had zero intention of forming a group themselves, it was just their dad's idea that they went along with. This is really the whole reason I like these guys so much. Their music isn't beautiful, or perfect, or even good. It's just so childish and pure that it's really interesting to me. They only had one album, 1969's Philosophy Of The World, before they gave up due to various reasons, and it tanked. But now today, lots of people know about The Shaggs, and I think it's really cool that they have actually reaches fame.