Deep Breaths: A Neutral Milk Hotel cover album

Track 1: King of Carrot Flowers Pt 1

When I was in high school, there wasn’t a record I despised more than Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea”. To me it was something you bought at Urban Outfitters after you had spent the majority of your money on a Joy Division t-shirt that cost $60. I’ve said it before on this blog and I’ll say it again: I was a little shit in those days and thought I was too cool for everything and every one.

It wasn’t until my late teens that I finally put my bullshit aside and decided to give this record an honest chance. I downloaded a pirated copy onto my Ipod and waited until it was late at night and nobody was around, then I nervously put my headphones on and pressed play. My ears were instantly shocked by the crunchy acoustic guitar sound that kicks off the record and I became a prisoner of this music for the next 40 minutes. It was a whirlwind. The album climbs and falls through the most painfully gorgeous valleys filled with scenes of sadness, gore, memories lost, sex, love, death.. fuck MAN its all there!! On top of that its partly a concept album about Anne Frank?!?! It is what every band wants to be but never will! It’s great art that punches you in the fucking guts and walks away, leaving you dead on the street as you piss your pants and frankly, you’re not sure if that was urine or blood!

When it was over, I had cried. Out of fear or sadness, I’m not sure. But I’m willing to bet it was out of shear embarrassment. How had I gone this long being a teenage ENEMY of this record?!

As an adult now, it is one of my all time favorite records ever made. It’s undeniable. If you know this record, it is likely one of your favorites too!

Over the next couple weeks, I am going to attempt to cover the entire album, using only my iphone and an acoustic guitar. I will post the songs here as they come and we’ll talk about it! In the end, I’ll compile it into one file and post it somewhere! Not sure about where yet!

Truthfully, I just though this sounded fun! I don’t think it will be very good, in fact I hope it’s not, because that will only help grow my appreciation for this band more.

Jeff Mangum has an incredibly impressive lung capacity, allowing him to hold onto long phrases of melody that makes this cover idea very difficult. It’s because of that I decided to call it “Deep Breaths”!

I’m sorry if I ruin this record for anybody. Please keep it close to your hearts. It’s a special one!

Love,

Mikey

Here is the first track: