Tag Archives: neutral milk hotel

#698: Neutral Milk Hotel – The King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1

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While I may not see In the Aeroplane Over the Sea as the classic, iconic indie album as a lot of people do – it’s not my go-to when I want something to listen to – I can still appreciate the musicianship and all those elements that make good songs.

‘The King of Carrot Flowers, Pt 1.’ is more or less the introduction to the record, detailing an abusive relationship between two adults while a young boy falls in love with a girl. I would say it’s actually my favourite song on the whole thing. You may find that strange; I won’t argue with you. It just provides a homely and warm vibe straight away from the busy acoustic guitar riff that starts things off. The repetitive melody within the verses become so familiar after numerous listens. I’ve also always liked how the track builds as it goes on, with an accordion added in for the second verse before everything climaxes with those rising horns. It’s beautiful stuff.

It carries on into Parts 2 and 3 where everything takes a left turn. The whole band joins in for a raucous and messy performance. I don’t like it as much. Not because of its rough style. Could never just get into it….. But it’s down there for you.

My iPod #419: Neutral Milk Hotel – Ghost

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I don’t have much to say about “Ghost”. It’s a track that upon listening through Neutral Milk Hotel’s album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea I thought, “Hmm. That was a really good one”, and immediately became one of my favourites.

The track comes near the end of the album and provides something of an energy boost after the eight minutes of “Oh Comely”. Beginning with frantic strumming of a sole acoustic guitar, “Ghost” is then dominated by a buzz that occurs at frequent intervals via a pedal-affected guitar and like most of the other tracks on the album is carried along by Jeff Mangum’s wailing, free flowing vocals. Though the best part to me of the whole track is the last minute or so, when the horns enter and a (theremin?) proceeds to mimic the melody of the verse while the drummer smashes the crash cymbals on every beat with a variety of fills in between.

A song about feeling free and remembrance, “Ghost” is a track of elation,  succeeding in making this listener feel good with exhilarating aplomb.

* May want to listen to it with the accompanied “Untitled” instrumental track too. Makes for extra good listening. Of course you might want to hear the album in full to get the proper experience.