FROM THE ATTIC- HEARING- Neutral Milk Hotel- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

The Skinny- Neutral Milk Hotel's second LP, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, released in 1998, is notable as a critically acclaimed work and a widely popular recording. It is a spiritually motivated work conceptually based on the beauty to be found in the horrific fate of Anne Frank. During live performances, including the one released under the title Live at Jittery Joe's, front man Jeff Mangum has described some of the songs off this album as based on urgent, recurring dreams he had of a Jewish family during World War II. The album was highly praised by critics for its wildly inventive instrumentation and Mangum's provocative and impassioned lyrics. Although it met with scant response from the general public when it was released, the recording has continued to gain momentum in indie music circles, selling well over 100,000 copies, according to Merge Records. However, the record (along with the year of constant touring that succeeded it) took its toll on Mangum. The band abruptly went on hiatus, turning down all requests for shows, including a support slot for R.E.M.

The Verdict- I wanted to make this album the first selection in our "From the Attic" series in which we review a notable album released some time ago. Aeroplane was released ten years ago now, and it remains one of the most endeared albums among indie music lovers. Few records are as feverishly revered by some while dismissed by others, making it a somewhat divisive album. I personally hold this album in the same regard as Dylan's Blonde on Blonde and The Beatles' White Album in terms of capturing the essence of an artist's potential in a moment in time. Truly a transcendent record, get this album if you do not have it yet, and if you do, throw it on one more time to celebrate a decade of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

Five stars out of five *****