It's been quite a decade for us. We've seen music pass through digital, manipulative frequencies and watched others strip their sounds bare. In a decade where there was not only an industry shift, but a creative shift in rediscovery, I'm going to throwback to a band that still stirs controversy of positive praise and negative guff to this day - Neutral Milk Hotel. As a Louisiana native, it's crazy to think that such a project started in the BF-town of Ruston, home to Louisiana Tech. Like many great projects, this one started in the bedrooms, combining four track recordings matched to adolescent instrumental and compositional discovery. Only leaving behind two full lengths, 1996's On Avery Island and 1998's critically and obsessively hailed In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, the band struck a nerve with many others to come. Whether it was the weird lyrical storytelling of Jeff Mangum or the way the band crafted songs that were simplistic, yet gripping in their worth - they are sometimes seen as a quick musical myth that will never be forgotten. While some will never get past Mangum's raspy voice or Aeroplane's production value, there's a lot to be said for an album that has acted as a muse for many this decade. Both records were recently re-reissued, and are steady reminders to how powerful music can be to both listeners and future architects alike.
I'm not the biggest NMH fan, but I always get nostalgic listening to them since In An Aeroplane Over The Sea and Live At Jittery Joes were both recorded in my hometown.
Aeroplane is a great, great record. Say what you want about it, but it deserves the praise it gets. Two Headed Boy pt. 2 gives me the chills every single time I hear it. Just incredible songwriting.
Really great band. I don't think Aeroplane is the indie-gospel everyone thinks it is (Hi, Pitchfork!). But they were a great talented band. Assume the mixed feelings.
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