In The Aeroplane Over The Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

I'll come clean from the outset with this one. This is without a doubt one of my favorite albums, so do not expect an unbiased review here! I can completely understand the criticism which this album receives, however. The vocals are less than pleasant, and yes, the chords are simple. Some people do not like In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, and probably never will. None of this seems to matter though, at least to me. The loose concept behead this album are a series of recurring dreams which the lead singer, Jeff Mangum, had about Anne Frank. This is obviously a highly personal thing, and the result is a very moving collection of songs. The Untitled rack towards ...  Read the complete review

A recent list of the '100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums of All Time' placed 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea' in the number two slot. Granted, these lists are not usually worth paying much attention to, however this does indicate some of the genuine high-regard that is held for this band and this record, by critics and fans alike. I personally would rank this recording in my top three - alongside Broken Social Scene's 'You Forgot it in People' and Pixies' 'Surfer Rosa'. The sincere warmth and emotion that emanate throughout every second of this record are near incomparable with anything else I have ever heard. The songs on this album are mostly based around the the ...  Read the complete review

Neutral Milk Hotel, a now defunct band, recorded In The Aeroplane Over The Sea as their last full length album in 1998. It marked the end of a 10 year career, and was also the album that got them the most acclaim from the critics. Deep down, I'd love to agree with these critics of the 90s, but this is the 00s, and things change, including the music tastes of people. Is it all it's cracked up to be? I'd like to say yes, I really would, but I just can't. I know there's good in it, I really do, but in reality it's too disjointed for my liking. In a totally subjective world, I'd probably be pushed to give it more than a 3, because I see nothing of worth in the ...  Read the complete review