Every once in a while an album comes along that sets the bar, that changes musical perspectives and has a certain life to it that no other album does. Before this I only ever credited 3 albums as being able to do this: Tommy (The Who), Siamese Dream (The Smashing Pumpkins) and The Velvet Underground and Nico (The Velvet Underground) but now I feel a 4th needs to be added this list. In short "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" is a masterpiece. This is indie/low-fi/alternative pop done perfectly. I have been listening to this album for 2 days solid and I am yet to be dissapointed, I cannot recommend this album enough it is well and truly an epic and contender for album of the '90s.
Formed in Louisiana in the late 1980's by vocalist and lyricist Jeff Magnum, Neutral Milk Hotel's career would be short, releasing only 2 LPs and 2 EPs between 1994 and 1999. Influenced by Americana folk music, low-fi bands such as Pavement and turn of the century carnival imagery, Neutral Milk Hotel's first EP "Everything Is" and debut album "On Avery Island" while a little dull and amateur at times, feel very much like the embryonic stage of a band that had the potential to do something very special. They achieved this with the release of "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" which, despite lacking much commercial success on release, would become a favorite of critics and later go on to sell over 300,000 copies. After this the band would only record one more EP "Ferris Wheel on Fire" before calling it a day in 1999. In 2013 the group reunited to go on tour but have not expressed the desire to record new material (at the time of writing.)This album is quite difficult to review because of its blending of styles, grand scope and abstract lyrical themes, so where better to start than the beginning? The opening track "The King of Carrot Flowers pt.1" is a folksy acoustic guitar/melody driven piece that really sets the ground work for the rest of album and gets it off to a running start. The lyrics, as they are through the rest of the album, are beautifully abstract making the listener question what they just heard. However, they never feel bloated or pretentious, they paint vivid pictures in your mind and drag you into the world Magnum has created. Another key aspect that crops up throughout the album is the use of odd and carnival-esque instruments; in this case an accordian plays a subtle drone in the background. Conversely, "The King of Carrot Flowers pt.2&3" shows the other head of the coin, opening with Magnum tearing his vocals (the nasal style that is used throughout) as he declares "I love you Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ I love you" before bursting with low-fi energy as it becomes almost a punk track in its fuzzy aggressive delivery, before dropping into part 3's wild instrumental that will leave even the most experienced alt fan reeling.
From there the album keeps on upping its game, whether that manifests in the lyrical themes, musical absurdity or the emotiveness of the music. The album carries on from strength to strength with songs such as the title track, the irresistibly catchy "Two Headed Boy" or the powerful "Communists Daughter". These show off not only versatility but also the attention to detail and the desire to take risks. Now let's talk about the albums biggest strength, its songwriting. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that these guys are the most technical band ever, they simply aren't. The chords are not too difficult and the structure can be simple enough to get the head around sometimes. However this album would not be what it is without its songwriting. Simply put, the songwriting is beautiful. It somehow manages to be broad without being pretentious, abstract but also linear, it manages to make allusions to Anne Frank without sounding preachy (yeah this isn't a happy album) and create Wonderland-esque worlds while still being rooted in grim reality. This all culminates in my favorite track "Oh Comely", a song that lingers with you long after it finishes as it is so much more than the surface shows. Though this lingering sense of darkness is all over, even during the untitled instrumental (track 10), there is always something that feels uneasy about this album and I love every minute I spend with it, it's magnificent.
In conclusion this album is worth everyone's time. In my opinion, this album is a masterpiece. It's just one great song after another, it appeals to so many different styles, all of which I love and I cannot urge you enough to give this album a listen. It really is an eye opener and I just can't get enough of it. If you would excuse me I have to go and listen to this album a few more times!
Highlights:
EVERYTHING
R.Sweeney (@TheCautiousCrip)
No comments:
Post a Comment