OK...  Most reviews I've seen of this CD are either wild exuberant praise (Magnet magazine even called this the #1 album of the 90's), or less than flattering (one I remember saying "howling tunelessly over an acoustic guitar").  I guess it's one of those things where you either get it or you don't, and there's no middle ground - which is strange because I'm totally in the middle on this CD.  Sure, there's cool instrumentation (brass, organs, all the bells and whistles that other Elephant 6 bands like the Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control use) there are outstanding lyrics and Dylan-esque wordplay, and "Holland 1945" may have been the best song of 1998.  But there are shortcomings too, for example some songs just aren't very good.  There IS some "tuneless howling" here and there, "Oh Comely" drags on for what seems like forever, and the mix can be a bit too fuzzed out for pleasant listening.  I guess my personal tastes lean more to the poppier indie bands, while Neutral Milk Hotel is much less Beatles/Beach Boys influenced.  For you indie rock conneuiseurs, Mangum sounds quite a bit like the lead singer of Lotion (cool band).  Anyway, the bottom line is to definately buy this album if you are a fan of Elephant 6 bands, punky folk music, or like picking out amazing lines from song lyrics - avoid if you are a pop purist or into traditional vocals/song structure.
Best Tracks:
"The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1" - Nice lyrics on this one (naturally), the mix is a bit clearer on this one and Mangum's voice doesn't get too schizo.  A nice opener, quite Dylan to these ears.
"The Aeroplane Over The Sea" - More of the same musically - acoustic led, but this song is a bit more direct lyrically.
"Holland 1945" - Unbelievable.  Just read the lyrics, and imagine it set to a bouncy fuzz pop song.  Everyone who has heard this song around me says it sounds Irish, I can see where they get that from, its very sing-alongy.
"Communist Daughter" - Less than 2 minutes of haunting acoustic folk.  Good follow after the genius "Holland 1945".
OK... Most reviews I've seen of this CD are either wild exuberant praise (Magnet magazine even called this the #1 album of the 90's), or less than flattering (one I remember saying "howling tunelessly over an acoustic guitar"). I guess it's one of those things where you either get it or you don't, and there's no middle ground - which is strange because I'm totally in the middle on this CD. Sure, there's cool instrumentation (brass, organs, all the bells and whistles that other Elephant 6 bands like the Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control use) there are outstanding lyrics and Dylan-esque wordplay, and "Holland 1945" may have been the best song of 1998. But there are shortcomings too, for example some songs just aren't very good. There IS some "tuneless howling" here and there, "Oh Comely" drags on for what seems like forever, and the mix can be a bit too fuzzed out for pleasant listening. I guess my personal tastes lean more to the poppier indie bands, while Neutral Milk Hotel is much less Beatles/Beach Boys influenced. For you indie rock conneuiseurs, Mangum sounds quite a bit like the lead singer of Lotion (cool band). Anyway, the bottom line is to definately buy this album if you are a fan of Elephant 6 bands, punky folk music, or like picking out amazing lines from song lyrics - avoid if you are a pop purist or into traditional vocals/song structure. Best Tracks:
"The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1" - Nice lyrics on this one (naturally), the mix is a bit clearer on this one and Mangum's voice doesn't get too schizo. A nice opener, quite Dylan to these ears. "The Aeroplane Over The Sea" - More of the same musically - acoustic led, but this song is a bit more direct lyrically. "Holland 1945" - Unbelievable. Just read the lyrics, and imagine it set to a bouncy fuzz pop song. Everyone who has heard this song around me says it sounds Irish, I can see where they get that from, its very sing-alongy. "Communist Daughter" - Less than 2 minutes of haunting acoustic folk. Good follow after the genius "Holland 1945".