Entertainment Weekly review of Aeroplane from 1998

[patio]

I came across this the other day and thought it was interesting.

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Merge) This Georgia quartet's second album blends buzzing indie-rock guitars, beautifully arranged horns, and oddball instrumentation (what's a zanzithophone?). But, hey, anyone can make off-the-wall sounds; it's Milk-man Jeff Mangum's bouncy pop melodies on songs like ''Ghost'' that make Aeroplane take off. Too bad this almost-great album is weighed down by a couple of lifeless acoustic warblers. B+ Grade: B+

I wonder if the reviewer has changed his opinion on the "lifeless acoustic warblers." Let's hope so.

[patio]

I came across this the other day and thought it was interesting.

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Merge) This Georgia quartet's second album blends buzzing indie-rock guitars, beautifully arranged horns, and oddball instrumentation (what's a zanzithophone?). But, hey, anyone can make off-the-wall sounds; it's Milk-man Jeff Mangum's bouncy pop melodies on songs like ''Ghost'' that make Aeroplane take off. Too bad this almost-great album is weighed down by a couple of lifeless acoustic warblers. B+ Grade: B+

I wonder if the reviewer has changed his opinion on the "lifeless acoustic warblers." Let's hope so.

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[el topo]

A lot of critics gave the album a mixed or negative review when it came out. The cliche "ahead of its time" works well here.

[el topo]

A lot of critics gave the album a mixed or negative review when it came out. The cliche "ahead of its time" works well here.

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[wiggin]

I'm going to do the unthinkable and actaully criticize "Aerolplane." I wouldn't really consider "Two Headed Boy" to be lifeless, but "Communist Daughter" seems like it barely made the cut for the album. It just feels like it was thrown together at the last minute and somehow Scott Spillane made a great trumpet solo for the end. I think you really have to be in the mood for that song and "Oh, Comely." Why do think they would rarely play "Communist Daughter" live, if ever? Did they ever? I know someone requested it at Bottom of the Hill, but they didn't play it.

At the same time I'm a big fan of songs created at the last minute. I think "As I Rise" by the Decemberists kind of sounds like one as does "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flowing Through the Strip" by Nirvana, and coincidentally enought, both are great songs.

[wiggin]

I'm going to do the unthinkable and actaully criticize "Aerolplane." I wouldn't really consider "Two Headed Boy" to be lifeless, but "Communist Daughter" seems like it barely made the cut for the album. It just feels like it was thrown together at the last minute and somehow Scott Spillane made a great trumpet solo for the end. I think you really have to be in the mood for that song and "Oh, Comely." Why do think they would rarely play "Communist Daughter" live, if ever? Did they ever? I know someone requested it at Bottom of the Hill, but they didn't play it.

At the same time I'm a big fan of songs created at the last minute. I think "As I Rise" by the Decemberists kind of sounds like one as does "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flowing Through the Strip" by Nirvana, and coincidentally enought, both are great songs.

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[Blight]

At first, I didn't care for 'Oh Comely', but after listening to the original and the Jittery Joe's version a few times, It became one of my favourite songs.

"Know all your enemies.." *knocks on guitar*

*swoons*

[Blight]

At first, I didn't care for 'Oh Comely', but after listening to the original and the Jittery Joe's version a few times, It became one of my favourite songs.

"Know all your enemies.." *knocks on guitar*

*swoons*

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[sashwap]

Originally posted by hypecity
yeah, i've seen that before, and was utterly appalled by the "lifeless acoustic warblers" line. but hey, it's only entertainment weekly.

i have a potentially devastating announcement to make: it was that review, back in 1998, that got me into NMH.

[sashwap]

Originally posted by hypecity
yeah, i've seen that before, and was utterly appalled by the "lifeless acoustic warblers" line. but hey, it's only entertainment weekly.

i have a potentially devastating announcement to make: it was that review, back in 1998, that got me into NMH.

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[Lusitania]

I think Communist Daughter is mostly there to serve as a needed bridge between Holland, 1945 and Oh Comely. As stand-alone songs, I don't feel that it or Ghost is as incredible as the rest of the album.

[Lusitania]

I think Communist Daughter is mostly there to serve as a needed bridge between Holland, 1945 and Oh Comely. As stand-alone songs, I don't feel that it or Ghost is as incredible as the rest of the album.

[wiggin]

It seems as though a lot of people don't give "Ghost" the credit it deserves. Jeremy's drumming is beyond amazing on that song. The underlying trumpet after the first solo is great. The lyrics are great. The whole song builds up until Jeff can barely hit the notes and then the trumpet blares and a storm of keyboards and saws seem to explode. What more do you weiners want? "Ghost" and "King of Carrot Flowers" are the two songs that usually stop me from listening to the album all the way through because I play them about five times in a row.

[wiggin]

It seems as though a lot of people don't give "Ghost" the credit it deserves. Jeremy's drumming is beyond amazing on that song. The underlying trumpet after the first solo is great. The lyrics are great. The whole song builds up until Jeff can barely hit the notes and then the trumpet blares and a storm of keyboards and saws seem to explode. What more do you weiners want? "Ghost" and "King of Carrot Flowers" are the two songs that usually stop me from listening to the album all the way through because I play them about five times in a row.

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[birdman]

what exactly is a "lifeless acoustic warbler" ?

[birdman]

what exactly is a "lifeless acoustic warbler" ?

[defgav]

see Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah
:P

[defgav]

see Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah
:P

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[topdownjimmy]

Originally posted by wiggin
Jeremy's drumming is beyond amazing on that song. The whole song builds up until Jeff can barely hit the notes and then the trumpet blares and a storm of keyboards and saws seem to explode.
totally. the momentum on that song is amazing. it took me a while to really appreciate it. and then when you think it can't get any better there's the coda. and thb2. amazing.

[topdownjimmy]

Originally posted by wiggin
Jeremy's drumming is beyond amazing on that song. The whole song builds up until Jeff can barely hit the notes and then the trumpet blares and a storm of keyboards and saws seem to explode.
totally. the momentum on that song is amazing. it took me a while to really appreciate it. and then when you think it can't get any better there's the coda. and thb2. amazing.

[wiggin]

I think i've heard from people and even read in reviews that "Ghost" is not as good as the rest of the album. Why do people say this? I'm confused. I for one enjoy the songs where the whole band is playing rather than an occasional trumpet, saw, or just Jeff and a guitar.

[wiggin]

I think i've heard from people and even read in reviews that "Ghost" is not as good as the rest of the album. Why do people say this? I'm confused. I for one enjoy the songs where the whole band is playing rather than an occasional trumpet, saw, or just Jeff and a guitar.

[MrG]

It took a while to grow on me, but now I quite enjoy the way it builds into its chaos. I suppose you could say I enjoy it for atmosphere. It's also the second-most pop song on there, so that's another selling point for me.

Mike

[MrG]

It took a while to grow on me, but now I quite enjoy the way it builds into its chaos. I suppose you could say I enjoy it for atmosphere. It's also the second-most pop song on there, so that's another selling point for me.

Mike

[JohnRHaupert]

Communist Daughter is my least favorite song from that album, but Oh Comely is one of my favorite NMH songs. Ghost is also one of my least favorites from the albums, but I didnt like any of the songs at first. I doubt the reviewers listened to it that much.

[JohnRHaupert]

Communist Daughter is my least favorite song from that album, but Oh Comely is one of my favorite NMH songs. Ghost is also one of my least favorites from the albums, but I didnt like any of the songs at first. I doubt the reviewers listened to it that much.

[Plastic_hero]

I think Ghost was the first song I heard of NMH. At least it was the first I enjoyed and the one that got me to listen to them in the first place. Now I can't say I listen to it all that much.

[Plastic_hero]

I think Ghost was the first song I heard of NMH. At least it was the first I enjoyed and the one that got me to listen to them in the first place. Now I can't say I listen to it all that much.

[boyindrag]

Communist Daughter was the first nmh song i heard. i can't say which is my favourite song on that cd, caus it always changes.

[boyindrag]

Communist Daughter was the first nmh song i heard. i can't say which is my favourite song on that cd, caus it always changes.

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[hypecity]

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0412pics/jesus/28000.jpg

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by hypecity]

[patio]

I like Communist Daughter because of my girlfriend's interpretation of the lyric "semen stains the mountain top."

She said she takes it to mean that men can be so egotistical that when they finally reach the top of the mountain they beat off to crown their achievements, metaphorically, of course. Or at least the mountain top is metaphorical.

Anyway, I really find that take to be interesting, and it is why that short song is a necessary transitional statement for the album.

[patio]

I like Communist Daughter because of my girlfriend's interpretation of the lyric "semen stains the mountain top."

She said she takes it to mean that men can be so egotistical that when they finally reach the top of the mountain they beat off to crown their achievements, metaphorically, of course. Or at least the mountain top is metaphorical.

Anyway, I really find that take to be interesting, and it is why that short song is a necessary transitional statement for the album.