I Will Shout Until They Know What I Mean

I'm taking some time off from listening to NoFX, RCHP and PJ and this is the break I took.

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Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Merge, 1998

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In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is the definitive indie album. It is simply incredible. It is not, however, for anyone who isn't willing to invest him or herself just a little.

Every indie music fan who has heard this album lists it as one of the best. It has it all: Deeply introspective and interpretable and even slightly confusing lyrics. Lo-Fi recording that opens up, intensifying and building on simple sounds instead of using production tricks for easy emotional payoffs. Hum-along melodies so engrossing that you don't even mind if the songs are stuck in your head for weeks. In short, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is both striking and beautiful, and should be considered by anyone who expects more from music.

Unfortunately, some of the defining qualities of the album keep casual listeners away, such as the production and vocals. What some see as honesty, others see as poorly recorded and executed. The only thing I'd say to anyone who doesn't initially see the beauty in this album is that it is totally worth the investment.