Neutral Milk Hotel - On Avery Island

Stands out but doesn't accomplish enough

Limited but passionate debut from the alt-folksters might not have all the cathartic power and indie-might their acclaimed follow up possessed, but was a good start indicating the abrasive acoustic direction to expect. Too many songs just seem to embellish a simple chord progression to make the songwriting noteworthy, but these are one of those bands that thrive off of making simple transitions sound far more urgent and truthful then they ought. August 14, 2008

Pretty great

If your reading this, you probably are wanting more after In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (and if your trying to figure out which one first, still find out, it might help you).

The people who love In the Aeroplane Over The Sea, don't worry. That album will not become a distant memory. Their first album, though, is a lo-fi acoustic based classic. There's a bunch of differences that seperate the two albums (Neutral Milk Hotel only released two full length albums). So this album isn't a replacement for In the Aeroplane Over The Sea.

On Avery Island is acoustic based, but Jeff Magnum, whenever he plays it, the guitar's tone is fuzzy (well, almost). However, the fuzzy guitar sounds excellent, and the more you listen, the guitars will grow on you like fungus. You could eat that kind of tone, at least that's what it feels like (you know like cheerios? Heh). The drums thump and drive along, though they sound a bit messy as well. But it totally works. There's no shortage of different instruments, but they are used very differently. There aren't many horns, but when they do appear, they give the sense that your soaring. A couple of unique workouts are there are too, though completely different.

I think the overall tone, in the end, is LESS unhappy. Well, Magnum ain't sunshine, but it's not as, I dunno, I can't really explain it in words. Just one listen at Song Against Sex, and you get the sense it's not going to be as harrowing as ITAOTS. But that tone that Neutral Milk Hotel, from the vocals to the instrumentation, the world that his music engulfs me, it's still there. The cover kind of fits it, though it's much more than that. I'm not giving it out. Make your own, because it's better for you.

All together, I really liked all the things it offered: The irresistable fuzzy tone, the lo-fi that makes it sound even more great (not for novelty value, it's used to get the great sound), lyrics that are easier to figure out (less personal, for sure), the drums, everything else is different enough that both stand out on their own (no small feet). Still, I came from ITAOTS, and this record generally sounds like a good thumbs up. So dig in. Forget it. Get them both. They both demand to be listened to.

8.5/10 June 10, 2008

Buy It!

I'm only giving this one four stars because it isn't "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," but you still need to own this album. Absolutely phenomenal. Jeff Mangum is amazing. February 14, 2008

Interesting

The first thing I noticed about 'On Avery Island' was the fact that almost all the songs are buried under a thick layer of noise. However, once (if) one gets past that, there are some good songs beneath. The entire album has a strange, somewhat surreal feel to it; previous reviewers have described it quite well as 'carnivalesque'. Jeff Mangum, regardless of what one may think of him as a songwriter, is NOT a good singer. His voice takes a bit of getting used to. I don't mind it now, but at first it seemed rather jarring. (note to previous reviewer: just because one doesn't think Mangum is a good singer doesn't mean they're a mindless pop music drone.)
In short form, 'On Avery Island' is a decent but not brilliant album. The production will (understandably) be unlistenably abrasive to many.

Highlights:
Where You'll Find Me Now
Naomi February 15, 2007

Not as powerful, but worth checking out

I purchased On Avery Island after hearing and loving In an Aeroplane over the Sea. While On Avery Island doesn't measure up to the album from Neutral Milk Hotel that followed, I'm glad I got it and enjoy several tracks from it. January 10, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...