Mink Cars on Avery Island?

Ask me what type of music I like, and I will say "anything with energy." Well, Mink Car by They Might Be Giants, and On Avery Island by Neutral Milk Hotel contain an unexplainable element of raw energy. Much like The Strokes, both of these bands exemplify the meaning of raw energy. What is "raw energy" you ask? In my opinion it is passion you can feel bleed out of your very own pores when listening to the songs, it is creative, different and doesn't sound like the lead vox spent a good chunk of his teenage years in vocal lessons. It's naked, powerful and pure.

They Might Be Giants is a saxophone clad, witty and eccentric band with killer lyrics and kick ass harmonics. They are the melting pot of sound; or noise, but that's dependent upon interpretation. Think 80's euro pop mixed with The Strokes, a dash of Elvis Costello and Streetlight Manifesto, plus one really cool synthesizer sound effects machine. All of these qualities effectively shine through on Mink Car, released in 2001. The sounds that range on this album are completely scattered. It's incredibly difficult to compare TMBG to other artists because each song has a different sound with different influences. For example, the song "Hopeless Bleak Despair" has a lot of The Strokes roots. But "Yeh Yeh" has Streetlight Manifesto influences and "Hovering Sombrero" has an Elvis Costello-y sound. And even "Mr. Excitement" and "Wicked Little Critta" have some old-school kind of rap sounds. Next to The Talking Heads, TMBG may just be one of the most versatile bands ever. This album in particular is one of my favorites to throw on and dance around to. The beats and sounds offer a lot of body movement that many other songs cannot.

On Avery Island by Neutral Milk Hotel is much like The Aeroplane Over the Sea, minus the whole song story influenced by The Diary of Anne Frank. The fuzz bass, and folk-y rawness is all over this album. Jeff Mangum's wailing, crooning voice shines through on this album, especially in my favorite part of "Someone is Waiting" when he breaks into a mind melting harmony. It's harsh, loud and completely brilliant. There is also more "noise" on this album, as opposed to The Aeroplane Over the Sea. In "Marching Theme," a three minute instrumental, mainly featuring the fuzz bass and a flute (I think it's synthesized), Jeff demonstrates his outre talent to produce music through "noise." However, Neutral Milk Hotel wouldn't be Neutral Milk Hotel without the wailing voice and "noise." It's what makes them unique, it gives them an edge over other indie rock bands. There are some odd songs on this album, such as "Naomi" and "Song Against Sex." These songs are so well written, that there are a variety of interpretations that can be drawn from the verses; and you know its good writing if it keeps you guessing.

Both of these albums are full of that raw energy I love, even if it is noise, it is always passion. Some artists today may have the voice, may have the talent but lack the passion. The raw energy and phenomenal passion that is flowing through the vains of these musicians is what sets them apart and makes them memorable.