Have You Heard of This Band Called Neutral Milk Hotel…?
A bit like my recent discovery of Jeffrey Lewis, I get the impression there will be a collective howl of disbelief from my readership that it is only now, in 2008 and at age 32, that I have finally, for the first time, listened to In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.
Virtually every band I have ever liked cites them as a formative influence, Alela Diane put one of their songs on her session podcast, Julian from The Young Republic has waxed lyrical about them to me for about half an hour, and somehow I just never quite got around to listening to them. Don’t ask me why. I think I tried it once ages ago and have some vague memories of music so hushed it was just a little bit featureless, which doesn’t seem to correspond in the slightest to what I am listening to now. Not even close – it’s odd.
More or less everyone I know not only knows but loves this album as well, and do you know the only reason that I finally got my shit together and listened to it? Because Neil from Meursault dowloaded it onto my computer without asking and then insisted.
And, of course, I’m loving it. Of course I am – if half the bands I love are as influenced by Neutral Milk Hotel as they say they are then it’s almost inevitable that I like them as well. I don’t know where I got the impression that they were boringly gentle, either. It’s weird how you get these weird impressions of bands – I’ve been hearing about them for so long that I kind of accidentally built up this little cluster of impressions around them, mostly, it seems, plucked from thin air.
It’s funny to hear an album like this for the first time; ones which have inspired so many of my favourite artists. I hear so many elements of groups I love drifting in and out of the music – Beirut, The Decemberists, all sorts. Given the slightly nasal, pained vocal delivery and inflections of trumpet and violin embellishing a good, direct guitar strum I suppose it is hardly surprising that this sounds so familiar.
Odd how things like this sometimes take so long to finally knock on the door and properly introduce themselves to you.
Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Neutral Milk Hotel – Communist Daughter
Neutral Milk Hotel – Ghost
Hoooooowl (of disbelief)
It is a pity he didn’t record more stuff. Although, there are heaps of bootlegs out there (at varied recording qualities, as you’d expect).
One of those bands that almost everybody who hears, enjoys.
Strange name, though.
It’s a bit like they threw three darts at a dictionary and stuck with what they were given.
Whenever people say that it’s a pity someone didn’t record more stuff I always hear a little voice in the back of my head saying “Yes, but what if it wasn’t all that good?” Not that I’m disagreeing with you, of course.
I think by the time you’ve delved deep enough into music to come across NMH then you’re probably halfway there already.
never heard of ‘em
Oh, yeah, now I remember… “..semen stains the mountain tops”. Boobs.
Neil was talking about this lot before you two spent twenty minutes trying to convince yourselves that Radiohead had recorded anything other than hopeless buckets of self-indulgent wank between OK Computer and In Rainbows.
But yes, aren’t Neutral Milk Hotel good?
Welcome to the fold my friend. I found this album a few years ago, so I was a late convert as well, but now, it’s easily in my top five albums of all time.
As for the “they should have released more music”, I think of it like JD Salinger. Jeff Magnum managed to make a perfect album, and then he stopped. What more could he add to the canon of music? Why would he WANT to?
If you have time, you should read the 33 1/3 book about In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. While I don’t agree with some of the analysis that the author imposes on the album, the backstory of the recording process is great,
I haven’t actually. I didn’t even know it was there. I don’t know about overiy-involved interpretations of music – sometimes they seem to be a bit of a stretch – but the story of the recording process sounds fascinating.
I too am a late convert. excellent stuff. and a weirdly great name.
Hmmm.. Don’t know about the name.
Unless there is a coherent story to it, and it’s not just three random words chosen in the manner that Matthew suggested a few comments back, then it’s a bit lame if you ask me.
Still liking the tunes though.
But Euan, you’re a bit less of a noodle-folk fan than I am, so I am slightly less surprised that you took a while to get into them. What amazes me is how long I’ve know about this album and how long I’ve known that it was supposed to be a cornerstone of indie music and still it took me years to get round to giving it a really good listen.
If someone said to me, “name your favourite bands / name the best bands in the world”, I wouldn’t say Neutral Milk Hotel, mainly due to the size of their catalogue. Two wonderful albums, neither of which I listen to much now, because I’ve heard them too often. They haven’t provided me with as many hours of enjoyment as other bands who have produced more albums.
But, I’m sure Mr. Magnum doesn’t give two hoots that I wouldn’t answer with ‘Neutral Milk Hotel’.
>Jeff Magnum managed to make a perfect album, and then he stopped. What more could he >add to the canon of music?
Another perfect album, perhaps? (Although, I’m not saying I think ‘In the Aeroplane’ is perfect)
>Why would he WANT to?
Why would he not? Because he enjoyed the process of making an album? Because he wanted to provide his fans with more material?
If a sportsman/women wins one race, he/she’s not a ‘great’, is he/she? Repeat the feat! Oh god, I can’t believe I’m comparing music to sport. Forgive me.
>Whenever people say that it’s a pity someone didn’t record more stuff I always hear a little >voice in the back of my head saying “Yes, but what if it wasn’t all that good?”
Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t want to release it. And you go down as a flash in the pan.
What a flash, though!
you should also listen to “On Avery Island”, which i actually like more than aeroplane, especially the first song, “Song Against Sex”, and “Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone”
1) what is noodle folk?
2) this sounds like something i would listen to, therefore, how do i not listen to noodle folk?
Here you go Euan, this is what you’re looking for.
So you might be interested in this as well I hope:
http://www.the-collective.net/~sashwap/media.html
By the way, great blog Matthew.
Greetings
Regular visitor, music lover and rock’n'roll addict.
Yeah, I don’t really buy the ‘he made one great thing so he stopped’ argument. There’s always the possibility that someone could damage their legacy by failing to maintain a high standard, but I really don’t think either that this ever plays into an artist’s thinking nor do I think it’s something we as fans should ever wish for.
I agree with Gav too – it’s less that a couple of great records make for a legend, more that it seems slightly abrupt to pack it in, given the promise. But given that happened, I don’t think you can call the band or Mangum (not Magnum, I thought) a ‘great’.
Euan, I just mean that a lot of the bands I hear when I hear Neutral Milk Hotel – most specifically the Decemberists – are bands who I have a vague impression you would find either too folky, too deliberate or too contrived. It was just a vague impression though, I am not trying to mess with your mojo, old chap.
Anonymous, that archive is bloody amazing. There’s a labour of love/mildly scary obsession if ever I saw one – thanks for the link.
actually, all of On Avery Island is amazing, now that I am listening to it again. . . should have also mentioned “where you’ll find me now” – i love the music box at the end.
I can’t access either link – inappropriate websites. so thats that.
as for your “impressions” matthew – i think you need to look at my music collection next time you’re at the flat. plus, i love folk music. especially traditional folk music. i think you’ve judged me by my own band sir.
Euan – Probably more by the bands we have most in common: iLiKETRAiNS, British Sea Power, Nick Cave and so on.
Alright Ted, you win. I’m downloading it now (from eMusic of course – nothing naughty).
Radiohead’s self-indulgent wank-bucket phase…
Weird.
I had just been listening to this over the weekend, and described it to a friend as “a perfect album”.
It is.
cool. it’s a bit more lofi and raw than Aeroplane, but definitely the same genius – and perhaps i like it more because it isn’t quite as polished and is more experimental, scrappy, and “odd” in places
More lo-fi and raw? Sounds promising to me. Well I’ll know in a moment or so, of course.
fair enough. though i own nothing by british sea power but do own a decemberist album which i really do like and whilst I love Nick Cave – he is also fairly new to me compared to most others.
everyone – ignore dylan.
Glad you like the archive. Discovered it a couple of years ago and thought I should keep the link, because it’s a pretty good one. Still don’t know why I was “Anonymous”, hopefully it will show the name properly now.
i marginally prefer the first album but i think they are both truly great. its beautiful how it fits together as an album, the 2nd one. like albums used to be.
sigh
Well I think bands nowadays – or maybe, more precisely, labels nowadays – have a habit of tailoring an album towards the few minutes’ guaranteed attention they are going to get from either a listener or, maybe worse, a reviewer. If the big, hummably catchy pop song ain’t in the first few tracks then often an album can miss its chance to impress. Personally I really don’t like this, but I have a little sympathy for how and why it might happen.
yep i know what u mean. i think thats true. its the way the worlds going…. but we should rally against it. its all fucked up, my attention span is so short these days i dont even finis
*snigger*
Clapclapclapclapclap.
I am quite proud to say I have never listened to a single NMH song (apart from, I believe, a cover of theirs that had an entirely different arrangement) for the simple reason that EVERY fucker goes on about them so cunting much. There’s no grace period allowing for the calm down so you can sneak in at the back & listen quietly. Oh no. People are forever wittering on about how influencially phenomenal they are & it turns me right off. Nothing anyone says is going to make me listen to them. I night be missing out but I have an aversion to bandwagon pandering.
btw, Toad, the new The Decemberists triple single series is fucking gorgeous.
weird, everyone being online and commenting on here at the same time by the way…
i’m off to do the washing up. it never ends.
before i go, can i point you towards red house painters, seeing as u were listening to sun kil moon the other day?
drunk country, i concur. thats exactly why i was 32 before i bought that feted NMH album too.
Well, I’m 37 in 5 days & I don’t see me buying it any decade soon.
DC, you are the John McCain of Song, by Toad. “I’m a mav’rick me, just look at me being a mav’ricky mav’rick and not doing what you all expect of me, nyaah nyaah.” Reminds me of Marty McFly in Back to the Future – ‘who are you calling chicken?’
Actually, I have some sympathy – nothing puts me off a band like everyone else liking them. And with a band like Neutral Milk Hotel, it’s not like they were going away any time soon. Enough people loved them that there was never any real urgency to listen to the album.
I’ve ordered that Decemberists triple single thingy, but no sign of anything showing up just yet. Grumble grumble. Really looking forward to it as well, the lazy bastards.
wh666 – it’s quite clearly because a/ everyone’s at work and b/ no-one feels like doing any.
ok then.
happy birthday
ok, so that last track on Avery Island is way tooooooooooo fucking loooooooooooooongg – but i stand by the rest.
Drunk Cowboy, I despise the bandwagon pandering too, but I’ve found that if I just suck it up and listen, i get too convince myself i hate a band on it’s own merits, not just because of the hype.
erm, sorry Drunk *Country* not Cowboy
Drunk Cowboy is quite good though.
I think Drunk Cowboy might just stick, thanks Ted!
maybe i’ll use it myself . . .
Maybe the transition to Cowboy from Country depends on the level of Drunk.
>Maybe the transition to Cowboy from Country depends on the level of Drunk.
usually does, where i’m from.
Now I’m getting confused. Gnnnnn… head hurts!
Absolutely not, Toad. It’s just recently the posts & responses have been contrary to my listening habits. If I’m a dissenting voice then so be it. I’m really not interested in NMH in the slightest – I’ve had too many friends telling me to listen ‘cos it’s awesome & I’m just bored with them. I admit I’ve not given them anything resembling a chance, but the over zealous fanbase haven’t given me one either. So, nerr.
I’m off to D.C. on Friday for 2 weeks (take note, Cf&Bf) & I’ve already pre recorded all the shows to cover me while I’m there – there’ll be a Decemberists’ song from the 2nd single on the playlist on the 8th & one from the 3rd single on the 15th’s. There’s no real change or progression, but it’s excellent songwriting, great narrative lyricism, & Meloy’s voice is great as usual. I’m not so convinced about the Velvet Underground cover (a very obvious & safe choice, in many respects) but overall a very enjoyable set of 3 singles. Me likey lot.
I’m afraid Drunk Cowboy doesn’t have the same pleasing mouth shape or sound as Drunk Country. But, if anyone wants to put it to the test, re: Toad’s suggestion, I hold my drink exceptionally well.
Contrary to your listening habits? I’m surprised. Which haven’t you been into, in particular?
It’s quite the opposite, actually. For example, I really like the Jenny Lewis one, not all of it, but do like a large portion & don’t think it’s lacking integrity or inventiveness; I like the Kings of Leon album (I get what they’re saying when they explained their approach to this record, coming off the back of exhausting tours supporting the likes of Dylan & so on, was to create music/write songs at home in the shitty clubs & bars as well as filling out the acoustic nightmare of stadiums) & I think they’re hit a perfect ‘It’s what I hear in my head’ sound on their self-produced effort. These are but two, but you get the point.
Slagging things you like? I’m surprised, DC, genuinely. I always that that if anything I leaned a little more towards the mainstream side than you, but not recently it seems. Mind you, I suppose it depends on whether you’re comparing it against the indie orthodoxy (this) or the BBC radio orthodoxy. Which is a long-winded way of say that I always thought I would be more likely to like something mainstream, like KoL or Jenny Lewis, than yourself.
I don’t think Jenny Lewis lacks integrity, incidentally, although she might, but her flirtatious flibbertigibbet persona reminds me too much of a particular type of girl for whom I have no time at all, and actually find quite irritating. Granted, she may be a sweetheart in person, but the way she either puts herself across or is being put across by people really gets on my nerves. And I never accused the album of lacking invention, I just don’t like rather too much of it, that’s all.
KoL, on the other hand, have written a pretty weak album, if you ask me. There’s just nothing like enough spirit there for my taste. Although generally I would say that I was a fan and will still buy their next one.
I was an early convert to the NMH cause. Saw them supporting Sparklehorse back in 1998 in Manchester and they blew Mark Linkous off the stage so I ended up going to the Leeds gig the following night as well. A Hawk And A Hacksaw’s Julian Barnes was on drums and he was fucking awesome.
I like Neutral Milk Hotel, but I’ve never really loved them for some reason. That whole Elephant 6 Collective has kind of passed me by to be honest. Song Against Sex from On Avery Island is NMH’s best tune I think. And I think the best tunes from Olivia Tremor Control’s Dusk At Cubist Castle probably beat anything by NMH. But that’s just me.
All this time I’ve been reading this blog, and had just assumed you’d been an NMH fan! As it stands, Gav’s howl of disbelief stands alone and so, technically speaking, is not a collective one as yet. So I’ll add my own: Hooooowwwwl!
Why does one howl when disbelieving something? It seems an odd response. I tend to just get kind of sarky and exaggerate my eyebrow movements, personally.
Anyway, yes, Neutral Milk Hotel, right. Among my favourite albums ever I’d say, and certainly the album I become most obsessed with from time to time. It’s one of those albums you can lose yourself in for weeks on end, with almost no desire to listen to anything else.
PS. Does anyone else think that Meursault song from the session is just a little close to “Song Against Sex”? Not that I don’t love it, and everything they’ve done, to death. But the similarity is a bit hard to ignore.
I love Neutral Milk Hotel, they’re from my former home of Athens, GA and are really indicative of some of the quirky stuff that’s coming out of that part of the world. Glad you stumbled upon them.
I always imagine you with a very pleasing mouthshape, DC.
I don’t think, coming at this as late as I have, that I will ever really experience the love of this album that many people here seem to have. I think there might be an emotional momentum that comes with catching something at the right time that I may have forever missed. I think if, like The Ledge, I had caught them before they’d been recommended to me a hundred thousand times, I might have fallen for it more deeply.
Still, it is a really lovely album, but as it is I feel like a naughty child handing in their homework late – however well it is done it will always be late homework.
i will openly admit here & now that the vocal melody from ‘pissing/kissing’ was borrowed/lifted/ripped off from ‘song against sex’. not something i make a habit of, but i think it’s allowed as long as it’s in moderation & not done shamelessly.
if everyone shied away from borrowing/lifting/ripping off music they love, we would get nowhere. music isn’t born of isolated genius – it builds on itself.
[QUOTE]i will openly admit here & now that the vocal melody from ‘pissing/kissing’ was borrowed/lifted/ripped off from ’song against sex’. not something i make a habit of, but i think it’s allowed as long as it’s in moderation & not done shamelessly.[/QUOTE]
Fair enough that. Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing? Where you can make spurious accusations against your favourite band, and actually get an answer back!
can’t believe i missed the recent elephant 6 surprise tour where jeff magnum of Neutral milk hotel made some pretty rare appearances on stage (or on the floor). totally bummed i missed them.
but i’m lobbying hard with my bid for a reunion show on notpaul:
http://notpaul.com/event/29/neutral-milk-hotel-nyc-reunion