The two full-length records that Jeff Mangum made as Neutral Milk Hotel sound both in and out of time. Like translations of a shared subconscious, 1996’s On Avery Island and 1998’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea give voice to the perennial spirit of youthful epiphany, of beginning to see the world clearly, to process and express it— no matter when you encounter them. With lo-fi indie rock, accordion, singing saw, tape collages, the so-called “zanzithophone” and beyond, Neutral Milk Hotel created an eternal entry into their Elephant 6 scene and an enduring feeling of possibility. Mangum was born in the small city of Ruston, Louisiana, coming of age within the ’80s and ’90s indie and punk undergrounds, a movement of teenagers recording in their bedrooms, sharing zines and trading tapes, listening to hardcore and experimental music on college radio. For all the mythology Mangum’s elusive persona has accrued, it’s the beguiling songs themselves that have resonated so deeply for generations. In 2011, Mangum collected nearly all of the band’s recorded output in a limited-edition box set (self-released under Neutral Milk Hotel Records, a small operation helmed by Mangum and his mother) which is now being updated for wide reissue by the band’s longtime label Merge Records.

CONTENTS:

Black matte box is a 2-piece telescoping casewrapped package. Outer shrink-wrap includes a front sticker with “Neutral Milk Hotel,” and a back sticker listing box contents.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea LP is 11 tracks pressed 33RPM to black vinyl in a gatefold jacket.

On Avery Island 2-LP is 12 tracks pressed to double black vinyl in a gatefold jacket + 11 x 11 printed insert.
Sides A, B and C pressed 45RPM. Side D pressed 33RPM.

Live at Jittery Joe’s 12-inch picture disc is 11 tracks pressed 33RPM to a full color picture disc in a heavyweight poly jacket.

Ferris Wheel on Fire 10-inch is 8 tracks pressed 45RPM to black vinyl in a printed jacket + postcard insert.

Everything Is 10-inch is 7 tracks pressed 45RPM to black vinyl in a printed jacket + postcard insert.

“Little Birds” 7-inch is 2 tracks pressed 45RPM to black vinyl in a printed jacket. 7-inch housed in a heavyweight poly jacket.

“You’ve Passed” 7-inch is 2 tracks pressed 45RPM to black vinyl in a printed jacket. 7-inch housed in a heavyweight poly jacket.

“Holland” 7-inch is 2 tracks pressed 45RPM to black vinyl in a printed jacket. 7-inch housed in a heavyweight poly jacket.

2 folded posters, each printed one side and each 24 x 24 inches when flat.

1 postcard, printed front and back with box set information and sized 3.75 x 5 inches.

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
A1. The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
A2. The King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
A3. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
A4. Two-Headed Boy
A5. The Fool
A6. Holland, 1945
A7. Communist Daughter
B1. Oh Comely
B2. Ghost
B3. Untitled
B4. Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two

On Avery Island
C1. Song Against Sex
C2. You've Passed
C3. Someone Is Waiting
D1. A Baby For Pree
D2. Marching Theme
D3. Where You'll Find Me Now
E1. Avery Island / April 1st
E2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
E3. Three Peaches
F1. Naomi
F2. April 8th
F3. Pree-Sisters Swallowing A Donkey's Eye

Live At Jittery Joe's
G1. A Baby For Pree
G2. Two-Headed Boy
G3. I Will Bury You In Time
G4. Garden Head / Leave Me Alone
G5. Two-Headed Boy Part Two
G6. I Love How You Love Me
H1. Engine
H2. Naomi
H3. King Of Carrot Flowers Part Two
H4. King Of Carrot Flowers Part Three
H5. Oh Comely

Ferris Wheel On Fire
I1. Oh Sister
I2. Ferris Wheel On Fire
I3. Home
I4. April 8th
J1. I Will Bury You In Time
J2. Engine
J3. A Baby For Pree / Glow Into You
J4. My Dream Girl Don't Exist

Everything Is
K1. Everything Is
K2. Here We Are (For W. Cullen Hart)
K3. Unborn
L1. Tuesday Moon
L2. Ruby Bulbs
L3. Snow Song
L4. Aunt Eggma Blow Torch

Little Birds
M. Little Birds (Live)
N. Little Birds (Demo)

Where You'll Find Me Now / You've Passed
O. You've Passed
P. Where You'll Find Me Now

Holland / Engine
Q. Holland, 1945
R. Engine