Oh, Inverted World

by

The Shins

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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.

I've begun referring to 2002 as the year of the revivalists - the year in which it seems we are finally distanced enough from the roots of rock in the 60s and 70s that "everything old is new again." Having purchased this CD based on the communal recommendation system that said if I liked a particular band, I'd like this CD, I was somewhat surprised at what I actually got. However, I will say that the record has more staying power than I thought it would when I played it the first time.

Many tracks are musically reminiscent of the Sgt. Pepper era Beatles, but the lyrics are more in the vein of Stephin Merritt's Magnetic Fields.

"Oh, Inverted World" is catchy, simple, easy to sing along with, and doesn't get old as quickly as a stick of Fruit Stripe gum. Tracks like "Girl Inform Me" and "Know Your Onion" seem to invite that bobbing, sideways-swaying movement you see in grainy home videos of people watching Woodstock. My 2 year old is often known to say "again!" after the closing chords of "The Celibate Life". This is not to say that The Shins are simplistic - it's just that my 2 year old has impeccable taste.

A solid 3 stars for being a record I enjoy a great deal, but because it smacks of the 60s pop I still like to listen to, I can't give it the points for originality that others think it deserves.