Oh, Inverted World
Encyclopedia
Oh, Inverted World is the first album by The Shins
, released on June 19, 2001 to critical acclaim. Omnibus Records put out an initial run of vinyl distributed by Darla. Sub Pop Records reprinted the vinyl, but the Sub Pop logo only appears on later pressings.
The album's title comes from a lyric in the second track, "One by One All Day", and there are several theories as to its meaning. It may allude to a line from German philosopher and economist Karl Marx
. In his 1843 Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right
, Marx blames religion for creating an "inverted world consciousness" that excuses mankind from self-responsibility. Alternatively, it may refer to the science fiction classic "Inverted World" by Christopher Priest.
The album contains the songs "Caring Is Creepy
" and "New Slang
," both of which appeared in the 2004 film Garden State.
critic's poll for 2001. Online music magazine
Pitchfork Media
placed Oh, Inverted World at number 115 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s.
.
released in November 2010 which was largely inspired by The Shins
music as well as other indie artists such as Arcade Fire and The Decemberists
. The 13-part sci-fi web series was a story of four twentysomethings returning home from college to find that the Moon is falling into the Earth. The web series was called by the New York Times a "mumblecore Night of the Living Dead
"
The Shins
The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, indie rock,...
, released on June 19, 2001 to critical acclaim. Omnibus Records put out an initial run of vinyl distributed by Darla. Sub Pop Records reprinted the vinyl, but the Sub Pop logo only appears on later pressings.
The album's title comes from a lyric in the second track, "One by One All Day", and there are several theories as to its meaning. It may allude to a line from German philosopher and economist Karl Marx
Karl Marx
Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
. In his 1843 Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right
Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right
[Contribution to the] Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right is a manuscript written by German political philosopher Karl Marx in 1843....
, Marx blames religion for creating an "inverted world consciousness" that excuses mankind from self-responsibility. Alternatively, it may refer to the science fiction classic "Inverted World" by Christopher Priest.
The album contains the songs "Caring Is Creepy
Caring Is Creepy
"Caring Is Creepy" is the first song on The Shins' debut album Oh, Inverted World, released on June 19, 2001. It is notable because it is their first song as a signed band on the label Sub-Pop, serving as a first impression to a broader audience of listeners.The song appeared in the 2004 film...
" and "New Slang
New Slang
"New Slang" is a song by The Shins. It was released as a 7" single in 2001, and subsequently appeared on their album Oh, Inverted World. It achieved mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the soundtrack of the film Garden State and its appearance in a McDonald's television commercial...
," both of which appeared in the 2004 film Garden State.
Reception
Oh, Inverted World placed at number 35 on the Pazz & JopPazz & Jop
The Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics...
critic's poll for 2001. Online music magazine
Online magazine
An online magazine shares some features with a blog and also with online newspapers, but can usually be distinguished by its approach to editorial control...
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
placed Oh, Inverted World at number 115 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s.
Track listing
All songs written by James MercerJames Mercer (musician)
James Russell Mercer is an American guitarist and Alternative rock musician. He is a founding member and lead singer-songwriter of the Grammy-nominated indie rock group The Shins. In 2009, Mercer and producer Danger Mouse formed the side project Broken Bells, for which they released a...
.
- "Caring Is CreepyCaring Is Creepy"Caring Is Creepy" is the first song on The Shins' debut album Oh, Inverted World, released on June 19, 2001. It is notable because it is their first song as a signed band on the label Sub-Pop, serving as a first impression to a broader audience of listeners.The song appeared in the 2004 film...
" – 3:20 - "One by One All Day" – 4:09
- "Weird Divide" – 1:58
- "Know Your Onion!Know Your Onion!"Know Your Onion!" is the 4th song on the album Oh, Inverted World by The Shins. It was released as the second single on June 4, 2002 on Sub Pop Records...
" – 2:29 - "Girl Inform Me" – 2:21
- "New SlangNew Slang"New Slang" is a song by The Shins. It was released as a 7" single in 2001, and subsequently appeared on their album Oh, Inverted World. It achieved mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the soundtrack of the film Garden State and its appearance in a McDonald's television commercial...
" – 3:51 - "The Celibate Life" – 1:51
- "Girl on the Wing" – 2:50
- "Your Algebra" – 2:23
- "Pressed in a Book" – 2:55
- "The Past and Pending" – 5:22
- "Sphagnum Esplanade" (Japanese Bonus Track) – 4:20
Legacy
"Oh, Inverted World" was also the name of a web seriesWeb series
A web series is a series of episodes released on the Internet or also by mobile or cellular phone, and part of the newly emerging medium called web television. A single instance of a web series program is called an episode .While the popularity of web series is continuing to rise, the concept...
released in November 2010 which was largely inspired by The Shins
The Shins
The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, indie rock,...
music as well as other indie artists such as Arcade Fire and The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
. The 13-part sci-fi web series was a story of four twentysomethings returning home from college to find that the Moon is falling into the Earth. The web series was called by the New York Times a "mumblecore Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent black-and-white zombie film and cult film directed by George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman. It premiered on October 1, 1968, and was completed on a USD$114,000 budget. After decades of cinematic re-releases, it...
"