NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL'S "IN THE AEROPLANE OVER THE SEA" (1998) - ESSENTIAL

Dreams are a curious thing.

Neutral Milk Hotel's second studio album, 1998's essential "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," deals in dreams. Anne Frank, reincarnation, semen, time traveling machines, and floating glass jar - fetus images are all present. And rightfully so. Jeff Mangum's swan song, a lo-fi psych pop odyssey that has influenced everyone from The Arcade Fire to The Decemberists, was so all encompassing that the world has only heard from Mr. Mangum on rare occasions since (and Neutral Milk Hotel, the group, has never recorded another album).

"Aeroplane" has been discussed in certain music circles and has been debated for years as to its meaning and importance. However, its beauty and true musical impact becomes accessible only via repeat listens.

This album is haunted, personal, and not easy to decipher. However, one has to wonder how something so perfect, so beautiful, and so utterly random can come together so seamlessly. As time moves backwards and forwards and sometimes sideways as it does in the association of images that "Aeroplane" strings together, it is as if Ms. Frank never had to die. "Now she's a little boy in Spain playing pianos full of flames." Yes, she is. Dive in.