Jeff Mangum, the man who gave the music world two Neutral Milk Hotel albums and then just sort of disappeared, began inching out of hiding last year.
He played a very tiny solo set during the benefit for Chris Knox at Le Poisson Rouge last year. Then, in the winter, he played a full, but still solo, invite-only set to about 100 people at an old brick schoolhouse in Bushwick in the shadows of the elevated train tracks. That was a very, very special thing, and am pleased to say that I experienced it. As a live performer, his voice is perfect, and his shy, nervous ways are endearing. Hands down it was the best thing in my 2010.
Now Mangum is making even bigger moves.I'm glad to have experienced both shows last year (as well as the three or four NMH shows--one in the band's home of Athens, GA, even--I saw when that band was functioning), because I fear securing tickets to this comeback tour might require a magic trick or two.
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