I first started paying attention to `Neutral Milk Hotel’ as the album, ‘In The Aeroplane over The Sea’ began appearing in the bargain bins in most record stores. The cover become second nature every time you went into the store and one day, I just brought it.
So having missed the band the first time around, constant playing of the album sparked by interest, my enthusiasm and my regret at having missed this band live.
Then came the Jeff Mangum solo shows at the Union Chapel in March in 2012 which were just fantastic and A Hawk and a Hacksaw gig in Cambridge with drummer Jeremy Barnes and his wife Heather Trost . At that show I did start to wonder what if? ……, well, everyone else is …. and here we find ourselves at The Roundhouse on a Wednesday in May for the return of Neutral Milk Hotel.
Lætitia Sadier of ‘Sterolab’ and band provide a classy introduction to the evening. A band to see in a smaller venue for sure!
The white light flashes on the sound desk and the lights dim at 9.20pm and the truck driver /Roadie figure (beard, cap, baggy jacket) of Jeff Mangum strolls onto the stage with his acoustic guitar and kicks into a solo ‘Two-Headed Boy’.
Jeff’s voice is in fine form, strong, powerful and clear. The band (4-6 members at various times) enter for ‘The Fool’ and blast away with their songs for the next hour in a frame of mind that can only be described as joyous. The musical armory of the band, tuba, bagpipes, saw and well as more conventional instruments just circle the airwaves of venue all night.
The sound is pretty much perfect and the smiles wide. Two thirds of the way though the band depart again for a Jeff Magnum solo of ‘Oh Comely’ which is actually a marvelous performance of the song that sent the shivers up the back of your neck.
This was an unmitigated triumph for the band, lets hope the smiles are as wide at the end of the tour from the stage.
Pete
Set-List
Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
Holland, 1945
A Baby for Pree / Glow Into You
On Avery Island / April 1st
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Everything Is
The King of Carrot Flowers, Part One
The King of Carrot Flowers, Parts Two & Three
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Naomi
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Oh Comely
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song, Part One
Encore:
Ghost
Two-Headed Boy, Part Two
Engine