When a band such as Neutral Milk Hotel plays in your city, you go. Especially when that band is more likely to disappear forever than to return to play again in a few years. I was fortunate enough to catch Neutral Milk Hotel last night at Prospect Park, only a few months after seeing them play at Webster Hall in January. It’s still a “pinch me” sort of feeling, as there was a once a teenage version of myself that had given up all hope of ever seeing Jeff Mangum and company play.
Fellow Athens, Georgia band Circulatory System opened the show, and did so gracefully. You couldn’t have asked for better weather than what we got last night, it was a comfortable breeze of coolness that really set the tone.
The show was kicked off with a solo version of “I Will Bury You In Time” performed by Jeff. The band walked out in perfect sync at the end, perfectly working their way into “Holland, 1945.” From there, they locked into the steady 1-2 groove of “ThE King Of Carrot Flowers”, parts 1, 2, and 3. The band were joined by featured female musicians where the songs called for a violin or help on accordion, and the band would often leave the stage so Jeff could perform more solo efforts such as the always classic “Two-Headed Boy” parts 1 & 2. The regular set was ended with a beautiful rendition of “Oh Comely” (one of my personal favorites), and the encore featured “Little Birds”, “Ghost” “[untitled]” and the previously mentioned “Two-Headed Boy, Part Two.”
The heavily-bearded Scott Spillane mouthed along to every word of nearly every song, it was hard to keep track of how many various instruments he went through. The same can be said for Julian Koster, who is a wild burst of energy live, never quite staying still. It’s always a wonder to watch him manage the singing saw, not an instrument you see much these days. Then there’s the steady but forceful percussion of drummer Jeremy Barnes, who also took on the accordion when it was called for. And then of course, you have the ever talented and soft-spoken leadership of Jeff Mangum. Vocally, he was perfect, delivering each song with the emotional fragility that it called for, calling to mind the memory of discovering Neutral Milk Hotel.
Midway through the show, Jeff stopped to thank the audience for all of their support over the years. He told us that he wanted to make sure he thanked us one last time, as he wasn’t sure how much longer it will go on for. So, it doesn’t sound like the band plans to do this whole touring thing much longer, so if you’re able to see them tonight at their 2nd Prospect Park show, or at any of their other upcoming stops, you better make your move. It really may be your last chance.
Setlist:
1. I Will Bury You in Time (Jeff Mangum Solo)
2. Holland, 1945
3. The King of Carrot Flowers, Part One
4. The King of Carrot Flowers, Parts Two & Three
5. Naomi
6. Ferris Wheel on Fire
7. Two-Headed Boy (Jeff Mangum Solo)
8. The Fool
9. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
10. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
11. Song Against Sex
12. Ruby Bulbs
13. Snow Song, Part One
14. Oh Comely
Encore:
15. Little Birds
16. Ghost
17. [untitled]
18. Two-Headed Boy, Part Two (Jeff Mangum Solo)
Circulatory System:
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