BY DREW DRAIN In certain circles, people seem to judge how cool you are based on how deep your knowledge of indie music goes. It is almost...
BY DREW DRAIN
In certain circles, people seem to judge how cool you are based on how deep your knowledge of indie music goes. It is almost like it’s some sort of unspoken barometer of authenticity. If you can drop references to rare B-sides or forgotten EPs, you’re immediately elevated in status. It is like having a mental rolodex of obscure bands is proof of your depth and insight, but the real irony is that it has little to do with how much you know and more to do with how genuine you are. Sometimes, it’s the people who only know one or two albums that are the coolest around, and if anyone’s cooler than polar bear toenails, it’s Megan, no matter how much she might deny it. When I bring up music with her, she will always say that she’s “not cool enough,” to know what I am referencing. I remind her, long before I knew her, that we were both standing in the parking lot of the Cat’s Cradle for Merge 25 to see Neutral Milk Hotel. Despite her protests, she is undeniably cooler than she lets on. She has an effortless charm and authenticity that goes beyond having an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure indie bands from the 90s. Somehow, she found one of the most important records of the decade and connected with the album’s emotion and dreamy strangeness, which is part of what makes her cooler than what she’s willing to admit.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel is a deeply unique album that has carved out a legendary status since its release in 1998. It is a landmark in indie music. It is not only one of the most important records of the 90s, but it has become an enduring classic that represents the genre’s potential for both emotional depth and lo-fi experimentation.The album is a surreal mix of haunting lyrics and raw emotion with layers that unfold in mysterious and often intense ways. For fans, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is almost like an artifact—something that feels both incredibly personal and oddly universal. The album’s themes explore love, pain, and existential wonder, all swirling within lo-fi production that captures Mangum’s voice cracking and the instruments almost bursting out of control. It’s an album that sounds, at times, like a diary entry set to music, each song an intimate revelation. Neutral Milk Hotel’s masterpiece has resonated across generations, cultivating a massive following through word-of-mouth rather than commercial radio or major label support.
One of the most notable qualities of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is its surreal yet profoundly emotional storytelling. Mangum was reportedly inspired by reading The Diary of Anne Frank, but his lyrics aren’t a straightforward narrative or biography; rather, they blend historical tragedy with surreal, dreamlike images. Mangum’s portrayal of love, loss, and longing reflects a rawness that invites listeners into a deeply personal realm, as though sharing secrets and intimate thoughts. This openness—an unguarded view into Mangum’s emotional and imaginative world—distinguished the album from much of the music at the time, which tended toward ironic detachment or polished commercial production.
Mangum’s lyrics invite multiple interpretations, drawing listeners into a world filled with strange imagery, cryptic phrases, and haunting emotions. Throughout the album, Mangum explores life, love, death, and innocence lost, often referencing themes that feel almost dreamlike yet grounded in a sense of raw reality. From the first track, “King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1,” Mangum’s lyrics depict the pain and beauty of familial relationships, tinged with a longing for escape and understanding. His words balance heartbreak and nostalgia, resonating with listeners who feel they, too, are navigating a world that’s both wondrous and difficult.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea often feels like a series of love letters—to people, to life, to existence itself. The title track, for example, is a beautiful, surreal ode to the ephemeral nature of life, with Mangum singing, “Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all.” This line encapsulates the album’s fascination with the sheer mystery of existence and the longing for connection amidst life’s fleeting nature. Through these poetic reflections, Mangum creates a sense of wonder and longing, as if grappling with the beauty and fragility of life all at once.
In songs like “Holland, 1945,” Mangum takes on an almost mythic tone, reflecting on Anne Frank’s life and loss with a mix of tenderness and anger. Lines like “…and now we must pack up every piece / of the life we used to love…” evoke both her tragic fate and universal themes of separation and memory. Mangum’s words often blur the lines between individual and collective trauma, making these historical references feel deeply personal. This fusion of the personal with the historical allows listeners to experience the album not only as a collection of songs but as a meditation on resilience, innocence, and the way humanity clings to hope even in the darkest times.
The lyrics, although sometimes cryptic, convey a palpable sense of humanity. The themes of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea—young love, death, spirituality, and existential pondering—are universal, and Mangum’s simple yet intense delivery gives them a timeless resonance. This unfiltered emotional authenticity helped forge an intimate connection with fans, allowing listeners to see their own experiences mirrored in his expressions. Ultimately, the lyrics of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea invite listeners to confront both the depths of sorrow and the heights of joy, exploring how these extremes coexist in our experience of the world.
Mangum’s songwriting didn’t just challenge conventions lyrically but did so sonically as well. Indie music in the 90s was characterized by its departure from polished production, and In the Aeroplane Over the Sea leaned into this with unapologetic fervor. Julian Koster’s saw, Scott Spillane’s brass, and Jeremy Barnes’ unconventional percussion create a collage of sounds that defies categorization.
It was partly a product of the DIY ethos championed by Elephant 6, the collective Mangum was a part of, which valued experimentation and independence over marketability. While some albums by mainstream acts aimed for slick production, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea had a visceral, gritty texture. The album’s imperfections—the scratchy vocals, tape hiss, and the occasional cacophony of brass instruments—are part of what makes it feel authentic and relatable. This was an influential shift, as many artists afterward would seek to capture the same raw, human quality in their music, inspired by Neutral Milk Hotel’s unabashed embrace of lo-fi aesthetics.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea significantly shaped the trajectory of indie music, influencing not only artists but also the indie scene’s character. In particular, the album contributed to the popularity of folk-inflected indie rock. Its mix of acoustic guitars, brass, and found sounds paved the way for the rise of artists blending folk and rock elements into indie. This movement created a kind of bridge between genres, welcoming influences from Americana, psychedelia, and punk, creating a space for a broader range of sounds in indie rock. By bending genre boundaries and expanding what indie rock could be, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea influenced a wide array of musicians who appreciated Mangum’s ability to create music that felt unrefined, unpolished, yet deeply resonant. The album’s success showed that unconventional and deeply personal music could reach audiences far beyond any specific niche. Mangum’s fearless expression encouraged others to dig into their own vulnerabilities and to take musical risks. The influence is visible in the work of many 2000s indie bands, like Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and Bright Eyes, who have cited Neutral Milk Hotel as an inspiration.
Part of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea‘s impact is tied to Mangum’s rejection of fame and the traditional music industry path. After the album’s release, Mangum stepped away from the limelight, avoiding the trappings of celebrity. Unlike many artists, he didn’t capitalize on the album’s success with immediate follow-ups or extensive media appearances. His retreat only heightened the album’s mystique and contributed to its standing as a deeply personal, almost sacred work. The lack of follow-up solidified In the Aeroplane Over the Sea as a rare artifact, a singular work that wasn’t meant to have a sequel. This mystique helped the album gain a cult following, and as the years went by, its allure only grew. The absence of commercial pressures preserved the album’s artistic integrity, allowing it to be appreciated as an unrepeatable, self-contained work.
Mangum’s decision to walk away also signaled that art and commerce don’t have to be synonymous. In a time when major labels were heavily commercializing the alternative sound, Neutral Milk Hotel’s journey reminded fans and artists alike that music could be a personal pursuit rather than a path to fame. For many, Mangum’s exit was refreshing and reinforced the idea that great art doesn’t need validation through widespread fame or traditional success.
In the 90s, a time when the internet was not as pervasive, people discovered In the Aeroplane Over the Sea through friends or small local record stores, leading to a kind of whispered, underground fandom. The album became a piece of music that fans felt personally attached to, something they had discovered rather than something mass-marketed to them. As the internet evolved, its reputation spread further, becoming a near-mythic artifact within online communities. The mystery surrounding Mangum added to the appeal, as fans speculated about the inspiration behind the album and Mangum’s life after its release.
Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea resonated with people who felt disconnected from mainstream culture. The album gave voice to those who saw themselves as outsiders—whether due to their tastes, personalities, or life experiences. The lyrics and music offered a kind of sanctuary, a reminder that alienation is a common experience. Mangum’s portrayal of sadness, nostalgia, and existential yearning spoke to people searching for meaning in a culture that often prioritized material success and conformity over introspection.
In a sense, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea gave people permission to be vulnerable. For teenagers and young adults feeling out of place, the album was like a companion—a work that acknowledged that feeling lost or different is okay. It reminded listeners that someone else, somewhere, had felt the same way. The authenticity and the unpolished quality of the album mirrored the imperfections and complexities of life, inviting listeners to embrace those aspects in themselves.
Despite being released in the late 90s, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has maintained relevance in today’s music world, with younger listeners discovering it through streaming platforms. The album has been able to thrive across generations, partly because its themes remain universal. Love, death, identity, and existential searching are timeless, and Mangum’s emotive, poetic delivery remains fresh for new listeners. Streaming has allowed the album’s legacy to expand beyond the indie and cult-following circles into a broader audience, reaching people who were born long after its release.
In the digital age, where music can often feel disposable, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea stands out as a timeless work. Its staying power is a testament to the fact that music built on raw emotion, unique artistic vision, and meaningful connection can transcend decades. As more listeners discover it, they find an album that feels both personal and universal, like a conversation that spans generations.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea endures because it is an album that feels alive. Its themes of love, tragedy, and longing are unbounded by time, and its lo-fi production creates a sense of closeness, like Mangum is singing directly to each listener. It’s a work that allows listeners to bring their own experiences into the interpretation, making it a deeply personal journey each time it’s heard. In a world where so much music is crafted to appeal to as many people as possible, this album stands as a reminder of the power of music to be strange, deeply personal, and yet somehow communal.
Moreover, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea exemplifies the importance of music that doesn’t conform to commercial standards. It was unorthodox, deeply introspective, and had no interest in following trends. Instead, it created its own world—a surreal place where listeners could explore their emotions and find solace. This uncompromising artistic vision helped pave the way for a new wave of musicians who prioritized authenticity and emotional connection over marketability, shaping the indie landscape that followed.
In the end, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is more than just an album. It’s a cultural phenomenon that captured the hearts of those who longed for something real, something unfiltered and emotional. It remains a testament to the idea that music can be a portal into the deepest parts of the human psyche, connecting listeners across time through shared feelings of love, loss, and existential curiosity. The album speaks to listeners not only through its words and melodies but also through its imperfections—the crackling of the tape, Mangum’s quivering voice, the strange, distorted arrangements that shouldn’t work together yet somehow create magic. These elements combine to form a singular, immersive experience, one that listeners return to as a refuge and a reminder that vulnerability is a kind of strength.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has inspired a near-religious reverence among its fans, partly because it defies traditional genre boundaries and partly because of the sense of mystery surrounding its creation. It exists almost like a piece of folklore in the indie music world, handed down from one generation to the next as a rare find, a personal treasure. In a world of fleeting trends and polished, commercial music, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea endures as an act of radical authenticity, a reminder that music, at its best, isn’t about perfection or fitting in—it’s about fearlessly laying oneself bare and finding beauty in that vulnerability.
Listening to In the Aeroplane Over the Sea can feel deeply cathartic in the wake of a 2024 Donald Trump reelection, as it offers a way to process the emotional and existential tension that many might feel. The album’s raw, often surreal lyrics invite listeners into a world where personal and historical pain coalesce, allowing for a kind of release through empathy and shared experience. The intricate, often chaotic instrumentals and Jeff Mangum’s unfiltered voice convey a sense of both vulnerability and resilience, which can resonate with listeners who feel disillusioned or uncertain about the country’s direction.
The album also provides solace by reminding listeners of the endurance of love, memory, and human connection, especially in times of crisis. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea echoes a yearning for empathy and understanding that can feel grounding in moments of societal tension. The songs don’t shy away from acknowledging pain and vulnerability, which can feel like a safe space for listeners to process their own emotions. Ultimately, Mangum’s introspective lyricism and the album’s dreamlike sound offer listeners a way to confront their anxieties and find comfort in art, providing a sense of unity and healing amid political and social turmoil.
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- DREW DRAIN
Andrew (Drew) Drain is originally from Point Pleasant, WV, and he now resides in Chapel Hill, NC with his daughter. Drew works as a financial risk management professional to pay the bills, but his real passion is photography. He started taking photos of his daughter playing soccer as a way to resist the urge to coach her from the sidelines. Time behind the camera developed into a love for photography that he has paired with his love for sports and live music. Follow Drew’s Instagram, @Drew.Drain.Photo or his MaxPreps galleries, to check out more of his work or contact him if you need photos of your favorite athlete or performer.
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