Description
The two full-length records that Jeff Mangum made as Neutral Milk Hotel sound both in and out of time. Like translations of a shared subconscious, 1996’s On Avery Island and 1998’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea give voice to the perennial spirit of youthful epiphany, of beginning to see the world clearly, to process and express it- no matter when you encounter them. With lo-fi indie rock, accordion, singing saw, tape collages, the so-called ‘zanzithophone’ and beyond, Neutral Milk Hotel created an eternal entry into their Elephant 6 scene and an enduring feeling of possibility. Mangum was born in the small city of Ruston, Louisiana, coming of age within the ’80s and ’90s indie and punk undergrounds, a movement of teenagers recording in their bedrooms, sharing zines and trading tapes, listening to hardcore and experimental music on college radio. For all the mythology Mangum’s elusive persona has accrued, it’s the beguiling songs themselves that have resonated so deeply for generations. In 2011, Mangum collected nearly all of the band’s recorded output in a limited-edition box set (self-released under Neutral Milk Hotel Records, a small operation helmed by Mangum and his mother) which is now being updated for wide reissue by the band’s longtime label Merge Records All jackets are printed on enhanced cardboard stock for more vibrant, consistent color. In addition, the depth of the outer box has been increased to accommodate the extra contents and the interior fitments redesigned for added strength. CONTENTS: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea LP * Housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket. On Avery Island 2-LP * Expanded to include the full-length version of “Pree-Sisters Swallowing a Donkey’s Eye.” Housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket (this version is now the standard edition available outside of the box set). Live at Jittery Joe’s 12-inch picture disc * Recorded in Athens in 1997, with new artwork. The first inclusion of this performance in the box set. * Exclusive full-colour picture disc packaged in a deluxe clear sleeve. Ferris Wheel on Fire 10-inch EP * Eight acoustic recordings unavailable elsewhere. Black vinyl housed in a cardboard jacket. Everything Is 10-inch EP * The four songs from the original EP plus three additional songs. Black vinyl housed in a cardboard jacket. Holland, 1945 / Engine 7-inch * Contains an exclusive recording of “Engine” and all-new artwork. Black vinyl in a cardboard jacket housed in a plastic outer sleeve. Little Birds 7-inch * Previously unreleased 2014 live recording of “Little Birds” in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, featuring Jeremy Barnes & Heather Trost of A Hawk and a Hacksaw, plus a studio demo recording of “Little Birds.” Black vinyl in a cardboard jacket housed in a plastic outer sleeve. You’ve Passed / Where You’ll Find Me Now 7-inch * Two 4-track recordings of these songs. Black frame added to front cover art to be consistent with the other two 7-inches. Black vinyl in a cardboard jacket housed in a plastic outer sleeve. 24″ 24″ poster featuring outer box cover art. 24″ 24″ poster featuring flying gramophone art.
Tracklist:
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Side A:
The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
The King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
Holland, 1945
Communist Daughter
Side B:
Oh Comely
Ghost
Untitled
Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two
On Avery Island
Side C:
Song Against Sex
You’ve Passed
Someone Is Waiting
Side D:
A Baby For Pree
Marching Theme
Where You’ll Find Me Now
Side E:
Avery Island / April 1st
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Three Peaches
Side F:
Naomi
April 8th
Pree-Sisters Swallowing A Donkey’s Eye
Ferris Wheel On Fire
Side G:
Oh Sister
Ferris Wheel On Fire
Home
April 8th
Side H:
I Will Bury You In Time
Engine
A Baby For Pree / Glow Into You
My Dream Girl Don’t Exist
Everything Is
Side I:
Everything Is
Here We Are (For W. Cullen Hart)
Unborn
Side J:
Tuesday Moon
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song
Aunt Eggma Blow Torch
Little Birds
Side K:
Little Birds (Unfinished Version One)
Side L:
Little Birds (Unfinished Version Two)
Where You’ll Find Me Now / You’ve Passed
Side M:
You’ve Passed
Side N:
Where You’ll Find Me Now
Holland / Engine
Side O:
Holland, 1945
Side P:
Engine
Live At Jittery Joe’s
Side Q:
A Baby For Pree
Two-Headed Boy
I Will Bury You In Time
Garden Head / Leave Me Alone
Two-Headed Boy Part Two
I Love How You Love Me
Side R:
Engine
Naomi
King Of Carrot Flowers Part Two
King Of Carrot Flowers Part Three
Oh Comely
