Neutral Milk Hotel- Engine- Pittsburgh-10-18-08
















I was just surfing the web when I came across this amazing video of Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel performing "Engine," the B-side to "Holland 1945". I got the video and photo from the Pitchfork site just to give credit where credit is due. "Engine" is not only one of my all-time favorite songs by Neutral Milk Hotel, but I believe it is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Neutral Milk Hotel released two albums and an ep before they moved on and left a legion of fans breathlessly awaiting a new album or reunion tour. Legend has it that Mangum decided to run off with the circus to live out his reclusive existence, but there have been several sightings throughout the past decade of him making cameo appearances at Elephant Six Collective reunion shows, as well as a short stint as a radio DJ. Their music is something special that can only be described as magical and otherworldly. This band and especially this song never fails to bring tears to my eyes and make me believe in the beauty of music.

Magum's minimal acoustic plucking is only accompanied by Julian Koster's haunting singing saw. One of the most amazing things about the video is that it appears to be filmed completely in darkness, only showing quick glimpses of Mangum as the flash bulbs light up the auditorium floor where Jeff is playing. He is performing right in the middle of the audience for what looks to be his most intimate performance in years. For those of you who are just learning of NMH, please go visit the links below for further info. As for the rest of you, smile, take a breath and be grateful for the slight hope of a Neutral Milk Hotel reunion.

http://neutralmilkhotel.net/

http://www.e6townhall.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8

http://www.neutralmilkhotel.org/

http://sadtomato.net/NMH_frame.htm



Neutral Milk Hotel - Engine - 10/18/2008 Brillobox, Pittsburgh PA from Engine on Vimeo.

Comments

Likedeeler said…
Thanks for featuring this. Never heard of NMH before. And now I grabbed all their recordings. Fab stuff!
2:56 AM
Likedeeler said…
And happy birthday!!
2:57 AM
Kevin said…
Hi Marcos! I'm glad that you are digging the Neutral Milk Hotel. At one point in my life, I listened to In the Aeroplane Over the Sea constantly. It was like an everyday ritual. Then, I got obsessed with having all the b-sides and live shows. I never got to see them live, but their spirit lives on through the records, and who knows- maybe they will reunite and tour again.

By the way, it's not MY birthday, but the anniversary of the blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kevin
1:20 AM
Anonymous said…
hold on! that's really an 2008 picture judging by the cellphone in the dude's hand to the left of magnum). sweet.

check this out... a bunch of new york nmh fans trying to organize a reunion show in the city:
http://notpaul.com/event/29/neutral-milk-hotel-nyc-reunion
5:42 PM
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