Musical Recommendations and Interludes

Okay everybody, I’ll take today to share some of my new favorite albums:

Neutral Milk Hotel – The Aeroplane Over the Sea

I gotta give props to my man Jacob over at AT for this one. I can’t say enough good things about it. The production, the incredible songwriting, the powerful melodies and wild lyrics…

…it’s as close to perfect as I’ve heard in years.

This is a lauded record, which always stays in flux around the Top 20 of the Top 1000 albums of all time. It’s funny to see all of those “big, established” names and then you’re like “Neutral Milk? What the hell?”

There’s a reason people go ga-ga over this recording (because it’s nuts good), and a reason that, as an independent record with no radio or MTV support, has sold over 100,000 copies over the years.

What  is that reason? It’s just that good.

Favorite song: Two-Headed Boy

The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Another one of those AT recommendations (hey, they got some good taste, don’t they?), I was thoroughly blown away by this record. Yes, blown. Away. Lots.

This is a concept record where our female hero, Yoshimi, battles the evil pink robots and saves mankind. There’s even a track on the record where she actually battles them and we hear the screeches and struggles, right along with a great musical track. Incredible!

To those who don’t like it: You haven’t listened to it enough. This was an important reminder from Jake who told me go back and re-listen to The Soft Bulletin, which I’m currently really enjoying on the 2nd and 3rd listens (far more than the first listen).

The best song on the record is Do You Realize?, a ballad that will be a classic and referenced decades from now as one of the great songs of the 90’s. You heard it here first…or second. Or whatever. Anyway, it’s another wonderful song on this wonderful record.

Sometimes it takes awhile for a record to grow on you. While I loved Yoshimi almost instantly, it took a few listens to really appreciate it. You will too.

Favorite Song: Do You Realize?

Wish I had time and space for more, but really, beyond these three records (the third is The Flaming Lips’ The Soft Bulletin), I’ve been listening to almost nothing else. Truly extraordinary stuff.

I hope you get the chance to listen to them as well. You won’t be disappointed.

And if you are, listen to them again.

 And it seemed to cause a chain reaction
It had momentum, it was gaining traction