Neutral Milk Hotel 10-10-1998 @ Manchester, UK

In 1998, Neutral Milk Hotel toured like crazy. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea was released in February of that year, and they traveled far and wide to support it. A review of their tour history reveals that they were on the road from February through October, traveling back and forth across the U.S. and all over Europe. Sometimes they were at the top of the bill, other times they supported other acts (including Superchunk and Sparklehorse). For one of their final four gigs of the year they played the University MDH in Manchester, England. Some kind soul ran tape, and now we all get to hear it.

Jeff Mangum's anguished vocal and Julian Koster's eerie musical saw in "Oh Comely," Scott Spillane's powerful horns and Jeremy Barnes's chaotic drumming in "King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3"... this show is a lot of fun to listen to. It's an audience recording and it's not perfect, but it's great to hear a live set with the full band.

Neutral Milk Hotel
October 10, 1998
University MDH, Manchester, UK

01. Oh Comely
02. The Fool
03. King of Carrot Flowers Pts 2 and 3
04. Holland, 1945
05. Naomi
06. Aeroplane Over the Sea
07. Song Against Sex / Ruby Bulbs
08. Ghost

supporting Sparklehorse

You can also download the whole show in a .zip package via Megaupload (please do, in fact). There may be a pop-up to close and you'll have to wait 45 seconds, but it'll save me a lot of bandwidth.

For more on the band, I highly recommend Kim Cooper's book in the 33 1/3 series. It's a quick and informative read. Now, enjoy the show!

Elsewhere...

I've been informed that Wednesday, 12/20, is the last day you can pre-order the forthcoming 63 Crayons CD and get the bonus CD of unreleased material. I already did so, and I'm looking forward to the release.