rashbre central: invent yourself a shortcake

Saturday 24 June 2006

invent yourself a shortcake

nmh79.gifI know this is a totally obscure post...A surprise package arrived this morning, containing a little book to accompany a strangely great album called 'Aeroplane over the Sea' by 'Neutral Milk Hotel'.

What, you say? I have never heard of this? No surprise really.

The little book is from the 33 1/3 Press and contains the equivalent of extra sleeve notes for this 1990s composition. Occasionally an album is so intriguing that it is quite fun to get further into the head of the performer and like many (OK a few thousand) I have puzzled through the lyrics on many occasion.
jeff mangum and nmh
Jeff Mangum composed these lyrics partly about Anne Frank but mixed with circus imagery and other wild thoughts from an intense and creative mind. Some parts are simple to interpret and the recording flows like a single live set to be run chronologically. Neutral Milk Hotel was originally a name for the various cassette recordings of Jeff, but became the 'band' name for this and a prior record. Also, tucked into the book was a plastic bagged CD of Jeff live at Jittery Joe's. I shall enjoy a listen in this strange semi-private world.

What a beautiful face
I have found in this place
That is circling all round the sun
What a beautiful dream
That could flash on the screen
In a blink of an eye and be gone from me
Soft and sweet
Let me hold it close and keep it here with me

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