DEVASTATING LYRICS // Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945 // Composer Reaction & Analysis

[@iceyroo]

Listen to the whole album!

[@PBthesquirrel]

I thought this so many times while watching this!!

[@wyntresnephew8552]

would love a analysis of the full album honestly. its one of my favs ever

[@l3p3rM355i4h]

IIIIIIIIII LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU JESSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUSSSSS CHRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIST seconding everyone else saying you gotta listen to the whole album to get this song, the next track would throw you for a loop I think listening to it after this

[@olli__]

Would be cool if you'd listen the whole album! :)

[@trismegistus7638]

You asked about the contradiction in the lyrics. It's a major theme throughout the album. I've heard the thesis of the album described as: highlighting the beauty that is present in the world, even in the deepest darkest moments. Even the absolute worst things in history, while not necessarily good, can be filled to the brim with *beauty*. A lot of the album references the holocaust, suicide, incest, domestic abuse, and more, but it does so with a nostalgic tone, as if to say, "this trauma is where we came from, and that alone obligates us to find a way to be on good terms with it, if we are to love ourselves. So celebrate the suffering and the hopelessness and the pain. Dance and headbang the sadness and anxiety and denial away."

[@juhosuomi2551]

This is one of those all time classic albums you should definitely listen from start to finish if you haven't heard it.

[@cybersnap6072]

The juxtaposition you seek is the next track haha

[@PBthesquirrel]

I think this whole album was written like one giant song. Like when he said at the end of the listen, "I hope that was going somewhere, maybe in the next track," I'm like, "yeah it does!" Same with his critique on the foundation of the song not changing rhythm or emotion -- bc those moments were written for different tracks. Gotta listen to the whole album for the full experience, for sure

[@ragingwarriors6098]

Man I would die for the album reaction

[@TheCinnyBun]

im so glad all of the comments are asking for full album bc that would be awesome

[@_bats_]

That's where the nostalgia/childlike hopefulness of the lyrics of this album come through: the themes of reincarnation and time travel. Just utterly fantastical, almost childish attempts at escaping the trauma of life. And yeah, both musically and lyrically, these themes make a lot more sense in the context of the whole album. It's also wild to me that this is one of the most popular artists during this theme's week. Back when this came out and in the early 2000s, this was quite underground, niche stuff. It is sort of famous for being "rediscovered" on the internet and massively popularised long after it was initially released.

[@JonahUniverse]

My introduction to this album was a cover version of the song Oh Comely which I could not get out of my head for days. It only took a listen or two for it to become my #1 album of all time.

[@twod0ves]

Neutral Milk Hotel is easily one of the best indie rock bands of all time. so glad to see you react to this

[@somesquirrel]

The whole thing is a concept album, you get used to the slightly out of tune singing as it becomes part of the aesthetic, most of the songs are static but they change ideas from song to song to make it stay interesting, also they have a unique production and use more instruments than other alternative/folk bands. it's a vibe. also the lyrics tho..

[@alexadams5461]

This is my #1 pick for a full album reaction and analysis. Definitely an album first and foremost rather than just a collection of songs.

[@niaouw]

Loved your lyrical analysis!! Thank u I don't know why, this touches a precise part of my heart, i almost cried

[@nemo1342]

Imagine how much worse this album would be if Jeff Mangum hit every note perfectly.

[@lesabri]

You must listen to the entire album in one sitting (not long) . Maybe buy the album or CD I order to hear the songs melt into each other without an ad or whatever.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Yeah, even I know this one. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is about as iconic as any rock album in the last 25 years. It's just pristinely written pop music that burrows into your brain almost instantly and never lets go. The album itself is quite kaleidoscopic in style, even though it's all kept relatively simple. It reminds me a lot of Love's Forever Changes, which was another "out-of-nowhere masterpiece from a band nobody had heard of that would soon break up afterwards" work (Love carried on for a while with a different lineup), and both albums share that combination of lush simplicity and infectious catchiness. The genres are different (Love was psychedelic pop; Neutral Milk Hotel is indie pop/punk), but they're spiritually on the same wavelength. Even for a guy like me that generally prefers more musical complexity and refinement I love this one.

[@thievingx]

Praying you do a full album reaction for this one. So much to unpack in the album

[@spirittheythemvanished]

Please listen to the full album

[@tahangrant]

It hurts a little bit to just cut off at the end of any one track (except the last, chair creak) .

[@hasongraham8674]

This is just a movement in the album so all the desired changes are found in prior and subsequent songs. The songs work fine on their own and exceptionally better as a collective whole. Jeff's ability to write seeming simple, incredible lyrics is rarely paralleled. Great reactions Brian. I always enjoy earnestness.

[@poraomaneiro]

The last sentences of the song always makes me cry

[@jackdearman5880]

Saw them on the last tour. This is the one where The Pit gets really rowdy.

[@SavageIntent]

I like extreme metal and punk, not really indie, but I do love this album alot. I guess its the punky raw chaos.

[@cb6619]

I came here to say it and apparently everyone else beat me to it, but please do a full album reaction to this gem

[@svan1778]

Yeah the reason I it’s must one sound is because the album it self is a perfect mix of this type of louder song and the softer less instrumentally dense and fuzzy songs

[@bloodblitzowns11]

Definitely gotta at least listen to the album as a whole by yourself, if not a reaction lol its gorgeously haunting

[@collinbeal]

This is a lovely album that works well as an album, even works best as such. The themes in this song are found throughout the album. It also explores the psychosexual side of romance as well as living with abusive parents and other existential varieties. It's a masterpiece that is worth listening to at least once for anyone who enjoys critical listening of entire albums.

[@janeg6759]

I liked this on a first listen and I’m interested in hearing more. I’m going to put the album on my list.

[@WordToMomsYo]

Love this song.. Reminds me of the 90's, high school, being a teenager, falling in love... And yeah, duh, you totally need to listen to the rest of this LP -- it's one of the best albums of the 1990's.

[@Functionconjunction]

My favorite album, a full listen is necessary to fully appreciate its greatness

[@sam1yoo0ell0]

I think Trismegistus said it really well, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is an album that transcends common sense. It takes a lot of really horrifying, complex, heart-wrenching moments or concepts and dissects them in a way that is not purposeful. It lays everything bare and looks at it closely, but not in a way to reach any conclusions. Everything is observed with wonder, with doubt, with emotion. It is to me one of the most artistic albums of all time because nothing is closed to interpretation. Everything feels personal to me when I hear it. I am nostalgic and happy and sad and angry and amused and defeated with every song.

[@gothate]

Absolutely unique and iconic album, definitely should be experienced as a whole!

[@DerekPower]

I also join the chorus in saying: listen to the whole album =]

[@trismegistus7638]

This album regularly comes out on top of Best 90s Albums lists

[@danielwarrenguitar]

Please check out Covey, ‘Cloudy Eyes’ off Some Cats Live, Some Cats Die

[@james-nw9up]

I take it as a celebration of life.. and even death.

[@pascalg16]

Now that's an indie classic

[@kevinmassey1164]

Yea this entire album would be worth digging in to

[@rijntje73]

💛this album

[@russellhenrybieber6620]

Check out the N.W.R.A by the Fall, best band to stalk the land

[@ianmcmillan2762]

Seconded! What a band

[@colinl3637]

Like everyone else is saying, full album!

[@Idkwhattomakethis12]

But now he rides a comets flame

[@tornoutlaw]

Suggestion: Chapel of Disease - A Death though no Loss Chapel of Disease release their new album "Echoes Of Light" today. They mix Death Metal with Classic Rock in a very organic way. Out of the 3 pre released songs, I suggest to listen to the one mentioned above. Love the production and instrumental songwriting, just struggle to enjoy the vocals, which do not match the quality of everything else.

[@teebs6089]

yo this album will FUCK you up