Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

[Adam Pfleider]

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Record Label: Merge Records
Release Date: February 10, 1998

Indie bands have built careers upon it. Jesse Lacey covers the hell out of it. Sometimes, one might catch Jesse Coppenbarger of Colour Revolt add a line from it to the end of "Blood in Your Mouth." Many music critics, not unlike myself, find it to be one of the best records ever written.

I'm speaking of Neutral Milk Hotel's opus of an album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

This album brings up one of the best arguments in music: What music is real, and what music is processed? Does Chad Kroeger care as much about every Nickelback lyric as Thom Yorke does with Radiohead? Who are we as critics to judge something we consider to be either art or for a lack of a better word, bullshit?

From the opening four chord repetitive march of "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1" to the saddening closer of "Two Headed Boy Pt. 2," the listener will be wondering of Jeff Mangum's dark thoughts and ideas in the vein of someone such as Daniel Johnston.

What the album does best is that it never stays stale. "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 2 & 3" starts off slow and hurls itself into a full on parade, while "The Fool" is a slow procession, a calming walk into the downtown festival that is "Holland 1945."

For those Brand New fanboys out there (myself included), you should be aware of the crown jewel on the album, "Oh Comely" (hearing a "HOLY SHIT!" at the end of the take is rumored to be recorded from only a sound check). "Oh Comely" has a two-part form, the first being a six-minute jump roping of the E and C chords, with a little G-D change-up, and a second part postlude of E and Am (also rumored to be a separate track of itself on the album), with lyrics that make the listener reach out, grab the one they love, and never let go: "Goldaline, my dear / We will fold and freeze together / Far away from here / There is sun and spring and green forever."

"Oh Comely" is a testament of the power lyrics can have over simplistic musical progression. The second verse is still one of the most powerful and poetic things I have ever heard in music. The fact that I'm only 21, I understand that I have a long way to go, and go back, but at the moment, the lines are still a crushing blow not only to the mind, but to the heart as well.

Every bit of the album sounds like it was recorded in a 4x4 room with the best four-track money can buy. Every instrument is perfectly placed or taken out. When a saw is heard, it sounds almost necessary and very fitting, but when it's just Mangum and his guitar on "Oh Comely" or "Two Headed Boy," it's meant to be as dry in the tape recording as it is when it comes out the speakers.

Many have called this album "pretentious crap." Many have called this the best album ever. And I myself, feel that this review doesn't even give the album half the justice it deserves, but I'm not a man of great words like Mangum. Please, if you haven't heard this record, give it a listen. I guarantee that at least one song will touch the heart across the eleven tracks of this magnificent album.

Daniel Johnston's Hi, How Are You!; Bright Eyes' Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground; The Microphones' The Glow Pt. 2
neutralmilkhotel.net (http://www.neutralmilkhotel.net)

[CellarGhosts]

Sorry, but this album has never done anything at all for me. Maybe I'll give it another listen sometime. Good review though. I just don't think any album ever deserves a full 100%.

[Halloween413]

It's alright. His voice kind of bothers me.

[Adam Pfleider]

I appreciate all of your views. I would like to know how everyone feels about this record. I absolutely love it, and I know others loathe it. I would hope people keep up the discussion and the reason I decided to post this.

[hockeyguitar99]

i think the highest an album can ever score is a 99. Nothings perfect, nothing.

[teenagetwilight]

Seriously. What the fuck.

[liar23]

lol. no album will ever get 100%

[OnaedInSpace]

This is the finest cd in my collection. Its one hell of a journey from kings of carrot flowers pt.1 to two-headed boy pt.2. You feel like you have just gone and done something worth while.

Mind cripplingly epic.

[augustana]

Despite the fact that he doesn't have the greatest voice, I would give this album a 100%. I think this is the most beautiful album ever written.

[lackofcolour 13]

I think the 100 score is permissable. its not a matter of perfection. you make benchmarks with it. reference points for albums to later be compared to.

[Loveistheegg]

this album makes me quiver. its so haunting and i love it and can listen to it forever.

oh comely is like 8 minutes and i want it to be even longer. lol

[adam289]

My favourite album of all-time.

[Klatzke]

i think the highest an album can ever score is a 99. Nothings perfect, nothing.
You gave Deja a 99 didn't you?

Sorry but that's one i can't agree with. Lol

This either.. 100%, nah.

[hockeyguitar99]

You gave Deja a 99 didn't you?

Sorry but that's one i can't agree with. Lol

This either.. 100%, nah.


I did, which was probably high, but i didn't say that it was perfect. because nothing is

[Klatzke]

I did, which was probably high, but i didn't say that it was perfect. because nothing is
I know, i'd prefer a 99 on this to a 100.

Straight tens just irks me. Since they apparently had perfect, completely flawless production, for one thing.

It's different on like, highbeam, since 10/10 is anywhere from 95-100.. but on this, straight tens means perfect, the rating system does suck.

[hockeyguitar99]

I know, i'd prefer a 99 on this to a 100.

Straight tens just irks me. Since they apparently had perfect, completely flawless production, for one thing.

It's different on like, highbeam, since 10/10 is anywhere from 95-100.. but on this, straight tens means perfect, the rating system does suck.

lol, i write reviews for highbeam! i agree with you there. Everyone seems to hate the AP rating system, which is why when I review stuff here, i do it, but really completely disregard it in my review

[Klatzke]

lol, i write reviews for highbeam! i agree with you there. Everyone seems to hate the AP rating system, which is why when I review stuff here, i do it, but really completely disregard it in my review
Lol, so do i man, i knew you did, thats why it was a good reference point.

[hockeyguitar99]

Lol, so do i man, i knew you did, thats why it was a good reference point.

lol nice

I've always said that they should change the AP system to a simple X/10 scale

[Klatzke]

lol nice

I've always said that they should change the AP system to a simple X/10 scale
mmhmm. Your bradley on there right?

I'm (obviously) andrew klatzke. haha.

[hockeyguitar99]

mmhmm. Your bradley on there right?

I'm (obviously) andrew klatzke. haha.

ya

you took TAV out from my finger tips!

but i got to listen anyway because it was with the scenic's stream. loll

I'm excited for the site to get redone.

[Klatzke]

ya

you took TAV out from my finger tips!

but i got to listen anyway because it was with the scenic's stream. loll

I'm excited for the site to get redone.
So am i, and sorry about that, but i wasn't going to pass that one up. haha. It seems like you get some dibs over here on AP too. haha. I was just so damn excited for the TCC review.

Did you read those, btw? lol

[hockeyguitar99]

So am i, and sorry about that, but i wasn't going to pass that one up. haha. It seems like you get some dibs over here on AP too. haha. I was just so damn excited for the TCC review.

Did you read those, btw? lol

what? i thought we were talking about TAV? i'm confused, but i did read your TAV review, which i agree with, awesome record.

[Klatzke]

what? i thought we were talking about TAV? i'm confused, but i did read your TAV review, which i agree with, awesome record.
Yeah, TAV was good.

I brought it into the discussion. haha. The Classic Crime.
Didn't actually follow logic, i just thought of it all of the sudden.

[hockeyguitar99]

Yeah, TAV was good.

I brought it into the discussion. haha. The Classic Crime.
Didn't actually follow logic, i just thought of it all of the sudden.

oh ya, i read that, sounds awesome

I just requested showbread, which should be pretty good atleast.

[Klatzke]

oh ya, i read that, sounds awesome

I just requested showbread, which should be pretty good atleast.
I got one of the albums from one of my friends, (nervosa i believe) and i can't stand it.

[hockeyguitar99]

I got one of the albums from one of my friends, (nervosa i believe) and i can't stand it.

oh damnit. well if they suck then I'll review it as such. Sometimes it fun to review an album thats just terrible.

[Klatzke]

oh damnit. well if they suck then I'll review it as such. Sometimes it fun to review an album thats just terrible.
Its reallly experimental. But not in the good way their old album was. lol

[hockeyguitar99]

Its reallly experimental. But not in the good way their old album was. lol

well now I'm less excited. but I'm also getting rocket from the crypt, president of the usa, and the anniversary. presidents of the USA have one really catchy song on that album. I can only hope the rest follows

[Adam Pfleider]

well now I'm less excited. but I'm also getting rocket from the crypt, president of the usa, and the anniversary. presidents of the USA have one really catchy song on that album. I can only hope the rest follows

haha, fun post...I'm Adam on highbeam!!!

[Klatzke]

haha, fun post...I'm Adam on highbeam!!!
sorry about our rant. lol

I turned it into private messages cause i realized what thread we were in.

[micahistheballs]

oh ya, i read that, sounds awesome

I just requested showbread, which should be pretty good atleast.
I like those albums actually.

[hockeyguitar99]

I like those albums actually.


well i'm conflicted now, but I think I'll decide for myself.

[Klatzke]

I like those albums actually.
I just didn't. I liked No Sir...

But these just, didnt do anything at all for me.

[bung]

i think the highest an album can ever score is a 99. Nothings perfect, nothing.

When albums get 10/10's, or 100%'s as in this case, that doesn't necessarily mean the album is perfect. It's simply the highest score that can be given. On almost any website or in any magazine where reviews are given, and an explanation of the review scoring criteria is available, they almost always say exactly that.

[hockeyguitar99]

When albums get 10/10's, or 100%'s as in this case, that doesn't necessarily mean the album is perfect. It's simply the highest score that can be given. On almost any website or in any magazine where reviews are given, and an explanation of the review scoring criteria is available, they almost always say exactly that.

I guess I see what your saying, but in mgazines and such, the number of stars given has meaning, like in spin for example one star means poor two means fair three means good four means excellent and five means classic. When you give everything a ten out of ten it looks like the album should be flawless. Either way I hate the rating system here.

[newfoundmichael]

A bit high...still at least a 90% in my mind though. Not a bad review.

[newfoundmichael]

I just didn't. I liked No Sir...

But these just, didnt do anything at all for me.

I agree. I haven't listened to Showbread's new stuff, but No Sir... is their best work to date.

[Klatzke]

I agree. I haven't listened to Showbread's new stuff, but No Sir... is their best work to date.
Mmhmm. I loved the song Mathias Replaces Judas.

[newfoundmichael]

Mmhmm. I loved the song Mathias Replaces Judas.

yeah it was a good one. i also liked "A Llama Eats a Giraffe" the whole album was pretty solid in my opinion. if i had reviewed that one on here instead of Age of Reptiles then I probably would have given it somewhere around 83-85%

[Klatzke]

yeah it was a good one. i also liked "A Llama Eats a Giraffe" the whole album was pretty solid in my opinion. if i had reviewed that one on here instead of Age of Reptiles then I probably would have given it somewhere around 83-85%
What'd you give age of reptiles?

The new ones to me, just kinda pushed through the experimentation boundaries into being simply annoying. There was a kind of shock effect, and then once that died it was annoying.

[newfoundmichael]

What'd you give age of reptiles?

The new ones to me, just kinda pushed through the experimentation boundaries into being simply annoying. There was a kind of shock effect, and then once that died it was annoying.

I reviewd AOR when it first came out. I think I was sixteen or seventeen at the time, so it has been a while ago...but I believe I gave it a mix sixties score possibly. And I totally agree with what you said about it being too experimental. It came off almost pretentious to me.

[hockeyguitar99]

haha, fun post...I'm Adam on highbeam!!!

sweet! I wish drew knew when the site was going to be redone.

[Klatzke]

I reviewd AOR when it first came out. I think I was sixteen or seventeen at the time, so it has been a while ago...but I believe I gave it a mix sixties score possibly. And I totally agree with what you said about it being too experimental. It came off almost pretentious to me.
Exactly, it's to the point where i was just like.. uhh? is this still music?


sweet! I wish drew knew when the site was going to be redone.

Have either of you talked to him the past couple days? I've been trying to a couple times and haven't ever caught him.

[God damner]

I'd have to lean closer to the user review %. This album is definately in my top ten albums ever, but 100% perfect is something I can't agree to. I'd say 94-95-96ish. Insanely beautiful.

[Praetor]

Fantastic record but the scoring here is garbage. I love his voice because of the power it has but traditionally speaking he fucking sucks. Also musicianship shouldn't have cracked a seven as the music on the record for the most part is very simple.

[Gumbyjag]

one of the greatest albums of all-time. may not deserve a perfect score solely of its pop sensibility, but nonetheless one of the best piles of sound put to tape. never gets old.

[doritoz]

This is NICER DICER

[briewer]

I don't think getting a 100% necessarily means that the album is perfect, as everyone has pointed out that no album is perfect. However, as a yardstick from which other albums are supposed to measure up to, I think that giving it the highest score possible is acceptable.

[joshy hizzle]

Great review. I'd give it 110%. Suuuuch a perfect record.

[vickorya0822]

79%? What in the world is wrong with you people? You lot are certainly the same who have rated Fall Out Boy and the likes as high as they stand. A perfect 10 is an utter understatement and any whoever disagrees should never again be allowed to review another album on this website.

[vickorya0822]

Fantastic record but the scoring here is garbage. I love his voice because of the power it has but traditionally speaking he fucking sucks. Also musicianship shouldn't have cracked a seven as the music on the record for the most part is very simple.


Please, you cant be serious about the music being simple, can you?

Granted, the chords are definately nothing groundbreaking, but you cannot tell me the horns, drums, and all the other instruments on this record aren't perfectly crafted and put together. No there are no guitars being shreaded... and thank god for that. they know damn well what they're doing, and do it damn well.

[Praetor]

Please, you cant be serious about the music being simple, can you?

Granted, the chords are definately nothing groundbreaking, but you cannot tell me the horns, drums, and all the other instruments on this record aren't perfectly crafted and put together. No there are no guitars being shreaded... and thank god for that. they know damn well what they're doing, and do it damn well.
This speaks to the writing and the production, not so much to the ability of the instrumentalist.

[rckstr29]

agreed totally, this album is simply the most perfect thing an album could ever be. After I heard it vinyl with my mothers amazing speakers, I honestly cried. Not because the songs were sappy and sad, but because it was simply too beautiful for comprehension. This is totally my favorite album ever.

[FUCKDIRTYWIPES]

AMAZING album

[Sigur Ros]

In my opinion, I completely agree with the reviewer. This is singly the best album I have ever heard. It changed the way I listened to music. I thought I couldn't hear a better album after I heard The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi, Takk..., and Science 1994, but holy fuck, this is amazing. 100% for sure. Peace.

[Chris92]

This album is so fucking good...just discovered it a few weeks ago and I've been wondering where the hell I've been all my life. Great, great stuff.