The return of Neutral Milk Hotel.

[AboutAGirl]

Okay, so he didn't reform the band per se', but he pretty much is the band.

Jeff Mangum Reemerges with NMH set for Chris Knox Benefit

Setlist:

“Oh Comely”
“A Baby for Pree”
“Two Headed Boy Pt. 2″
“In the Aeroplane over the Sea”
“Engine” (encore)

What do you think? Frankly I think this guy is gonna crack eventually. Even if we have to wait till he's 60, I'm about 90% certain he will come back and do a lot more music someday. He has proven time again that he does not possess Syd Barrett's iron will and that he desires to be involved in the music world. This was just a benefit but when you add this to all the other stuff he's done post-NMH, it paints a clear picture of a man who wants to play.

 

[LG]

I am out of the loop AAG, and I only have one of NMH's albums, is he having "mental issues" or drug addiction problems?....

 

[AboutAGirl]

I am out of the loop AAG, and I only have one of NMH's albums, is he having "mental issues" or drug addiction problems?....

Mmm... nothing specific. If it's anything, it's mental issues. I'm certainly not aware of any drug use. I seem to remember his explanation for quitting was that he thought music could heal certain wounds and he discovered that it could not. I'd say he chose to bow out without any extenuating factors, though fame may have spooked him. I don't doubt that someone who could write such music is certainly someone with vibrant and excruciating emotions, so being crushed by expectations or notoriety is an easily believable circumstance.

However... To be quite blunt, I often wonder if his retreat into obscurity was some sort of brilliant ploy. Neutral Milk Hotel continues to amass mystique and I daresay they're several fold more popular now than they were before. Granted, their popularity increase may not have the slightest thing to do with Jeff's departure from the limelight, but who knows? That's not say I discount his explanation 100%. I believe there's a very good chance he's being genuine. I just think there's also a chance he's being clever. It doesn't take a genius to notice that reclusive artists become legendary in their own lifetime to an extent that most more social artists have to die to achieve. And when you look at In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, it's just this flawless work. It's hard to imagine he could ever top it, so maybe Jeff decided he wanted to go out on top. If he releases a follow up, it might be good or it might be bad. But if he never does, it will forever be amazing in the minds of the fans.

 

[LG]

I hope he is being genuine, but nowadays you never know when someone is pulling a "Stunt" or misleading us for their own reasons. Creative people do tend to get overwrought at times, it's like part of the genius they possess has a cost, maybe he will start writing again when he gets over whatever is bothering him.

 

[Tattoo'd Lady]

i just hope we the fans can see some kind of tour. either him solo or with some members of NMH. i mean In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is only one of the greatest albums of all time and its a shame that Jeff never made more music

 

[Aktivator]

The real return of Jeff Magnum is here!!!!
Just got tickets to see him twice in September at ATP Festival (All Tommorrows Parties)
Jeff will do two shows covering his Neutral Milk Hotel songs. As mentioned above he has played a few solo private or unannouced short sets recently but this is the first real show. They are saying he will also go on tour with additional shows.

ATP Festival will also be two shows by Portishead and lots more.