I've argued with friends over which is the better NMH record--this one or their follow-up, "Aeroplane." It's unfair to compare this with the more somber and perfect "In the Aeroplane over the Sea," but this record does make a great antidote because it's more like a carnival ride. The band is not quite as tight and the experimentalism is a little wilder. It is as good as any other Elephant 6 record out there. From the buoyant opening of "Song Against Sex" you know it's time to grip the harness tight and hold on, because by the time "Pree" morphs into the "Marching Theme," Kansas will be just a vague memory for you and your little dog, too. By the time the achingly beautiful "Naomi" begins, you will have conversed with angels and gardenheads will know your name. And for those of you who don't care for the sweet keening of Jeff Mangum's voice, may I suggest Michael Bolton and Mariah Carey. We who like singers that don't come in a neat package know better.


Eerie   January 12, 2004
 60 out of 61 found this review helpful

Here's the deal. If you like your lo-fi indie folk-rock with a psychedelic twist, horns and uncanny melodies underlining gorgeous, surreal lyrics, then you might be into NMH.

While not a technically great singer, Jeff Mangum has one of the most honest voices I've ever heard. He's got Perry Ferrel's crack, Bob Dylan's drift and David Byrne's nasal tone all wrapped up nicely within his own unique style.

The guitar is really interesting. Sometimes it gets heavy, but retains a basic, bouncy sound. Not punk. Not folk. I almost want to say it reminds me of my kindergarten teacher... but in an accomplished, majestic way.

Now, the lyrics. Wow. I mean WOW. Stunning imagery, insightful, intensely personal, poetic, stream of consciousness, mostly verse with rarely a touch of chorus, a dream being narrated. Like snippets of Proust on acid. They meld perfectly with the melody flowing from Mangum's voice. I haven't been this into lyrics since I was a brooding teenager! I'm sorry, I can't help it, I have to give you a little taste...

"Follow me through
A city of frost covered angels
I swear I have nothing to prove
I just want to dance in your tangles
To give me some reason to move
But to take on the world at all angles
Requires a strength I can't use
So I'll meet you up high in your anger
Of all that is hoping and waiting for you"

I gotta leave it at that. Try it.


Just as good as "Aeroplane"   August 24, 2002
 21 out of 22 found this review helpful

Although this is a very good CD, it's very different than "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." For one, there's much more musical experimentation. While "Aeroplane" had songs like "Oh Comely" and both incarnations of "Two-Headed Boy" that were mostly Jeff Magnum's voice and an acoustic guitar, every song on this CD is a distinct soundscape. The lyrics are wilder and more paranoid, if there are lyrics, depicting roller coasters drowning their riders in the ocean, the apocolypse being triggered by a dead guy in a painting. a girl being stalked and having her dresses stolen, and other simillarly bizzare scenarios. "Someone is Waiting," "Marching Theme," and "Pree-Sisters Swallowing A Donkey's Eye" are outright feedback jam sessions, focusing on complete and utter distortion. The recording quality is purposely bad, making everything sound even more contorted than it would normally sound. If you aren't repulsed by all this (as 99.9% of the world's population should be), then buy this album. You'll love it. It's the next Sergent Pepper's. If you're scared, then maybe you'd like "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." But whatever the case, Neutral Milk Hotel is one of my favorite bands, and I like them despite their weirdness.


3.5 stars.   February 3, 2005
 14 out of 46 found this review helpful

Well, Neutral Milk Hotel is in a strange position here. Just about anyone will tell you to buy "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea" before "On Avery Island." And the vast opinion is that On Avery Island just couldn't live up to its astonishing predecessor, Aeroplane. And this is where the stipulation comes in. On Avery Island is actually the predecessor to ITAPOTS. So in reality, NMH really did top their previous effort....by like, a lot. But most of their fans will never perceive it that way because they buy the famed Aeroplane first. Well here's an honest opinion of On Avery Island, despite the chronology:

Well, what does this cd sound like? Psychadelic, fuzzy, folky, circus rock. Or something like that.

This is a concept album. Sort of. Most of the tracks run together and have reoccurring themes in the songs (look at the song titles and you'll see.) This is an album best enjoyed when played all the way through.

There are some strokes of pure genius on here. Some of the other stuff is just weird. It is a must if you liked Aeroplane, but with an album as stunning as that one, it is almost impossible to produce anything that matches it. Prepare yourself for the best dissapointment of your life. This may be one of the most killer cds in your collection, and you will never know it. F**king Aeroplane!!!!


Instrumentally sound, lacks creative vocals   April 10, 2003
 12 out of 32 found this review helpful

I think the music on this disc is great. Its melodies are thick and powerful and groovy. I find the singing to be nothing more than a whiny voice without much range, and unfortunately it dominates the music. Like a lot of pop, too much of the song contains vocals, as if the band is afraid the music would fail if the singing stops.

One of the problems with reading online reviews is usually only people who love the music take the time to review it. So here's a review from someone who thinks it's average.