Do you want to hear the fattest, fullest acoustic strumming ever? Howzabout lungful vocals somewhere between Bill Mallonee, Dylan, the Beatles, and some crazy Irish bard (any one will do)? Do you want organ, trumpet, trombone, sax, uilleann pipes, and other instruments popping in and swirling about in strange but satisfying ways? Or maybe fuzzy bass tones and occasional indie rock distortion vibrating your speakers? Poetic stream-of-consciousness lyrics about who-knows-what-but-it-sure-sounds-deep?
Of course you do. If you're even the slightest bit intrigued, you'll want to check into the Neutral Milk Hotel. CMJ and Rolling Stone have both given this deserving second album positive reviews, and I'm about to give it yet another. The Hotel is supposedly distantly related in sound to label mates Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control, but is more folky and less retro (I haven't heard them so I don't know). Jeff Mangum is the main guy behind the band--vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and miscellaneous other noises. Pure talent. Imagine an indie rocker playing demented but beautiful folk with a 60s psychedelic moodiness, after traveling back in time and living in the Scottish highlands during the 40s and 50s. Still not convinced of the genius here? Well then, chew on some lyrics:
and she was born in a bottle-rocket in 1929
with wings that ringed around a socket
right between her spine all drenched in milk
in holy water pouring from the sky
i know that she will live forever
she won't ever die...
and one day in nyc a girl fell from the sky
from the top of a burning apartment building 14 stories high
and when her spirit left her body how it split the sun
i know that she will live forever
all goes on and on and on
(from "Ghost")
I have no clue what Jeff's singing about here, and neither will you! The lyrics in the liner notes are all jumbled together into one massive run-on paragraph. It will definitely frustrate those of you who need to know the meaning behind your music. The same phrases do pop up on different tracks, though, making me think this is indeed some poetry puzzle that's just way beyond my skill level for putting it together. "The King of Carrot Flowers Parts Two and Three" starts off with a simple enough cry, however (imagine huge lungs exhaling Irish-Scottishly with a nervously nasal tone):
I love you Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, I love you yes I do
I love you Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, I love you yes I do....
Sounds clear enough, but is it? Later he sings:
since this seems to confuse people I'd like to simply say
that I mean what I sing
although the theme of endless endless on this album
is not based on any religion but more in the belief
that all things seem to contain a white light within them
that I see as eternal....
Interesting faith-filled thoughts outside the boundaries of orthodoxy--sure to aggravate some and thrill others.
Looking to go on a magical trip while listening to music? Stay a few nights in the Neutral Milk Hotel....
5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Opus 2002Reviewed by Pearson GreerIn the arms race that is psychedelic music, early shots were fired by the likes of Can and the Velvets. New forms of sonic barrage were deployed on records like My Bloody Valentine's Loveless or Verve's A Storm in Heaven. By now, a ton has already been written in countless other places about Neutral Milk Hotel's style. I'm writing this now to announce Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over…Similar sounding releases
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