Strange and wonderful album, cant find a bad track. Love it.

It's a strange phenomenon that this record has garnered so much critical acclaim. With its simplistic harmonic progressions and expectable cadences, and with its lo-fi production value, and Jeff Magnum's vocals (under normal circumstances, underwhelming), the tracks are not exactly complex in a musical context. But it's these very qualities that In the Aeroplane over the Sea owes its charm.

If, on the other hand, we consider the highlights, what we have is a very carefully arranged and structured work with seamless transitions from track to track, and centering around (or influenced by) the birth, experiences, death, and memory of a miss Anne Frank. This can literally be considered an album - or a concept album, if you must need call it that - as opposed to a collection of songs, which has invariably become the norm for developing records.

We have beautifully elementary horn arrangements by Robert Schneider and Scott Spillane. What we have are raw, realistic vocals relating stories naturally, sanguinely, and without restraint. What we have is Magnum's lyricism that's vivid in its descriptions.

While it might not be impressive in ways normally envisioned by listeners and critics of rock, ItAotS is spirited enough to ameliorate most of the complaints that arise. This piece requires more than five listens to 'get it' - it's not an instant payoff. Allow it to grow on you.

The strange eeriness of Mangum's voice and lyrics mixed with the basic consistent chord progressions give this album an emotional vibe that requires complete attention which ultimately leads to enjoyment. Not many albums can do this

I'm sorry if I down voted this dross NubbinBased but unfortunately I started listening to it and found it absolute rubbish. In the same way the other people don't like certain artists. I cannot believe that 5 out of the ten reviews on this page gave this a perfect 100/100. Has the world gone mad?

Who's the person who downvotes all the positive comments? You sure are making it a priority to hate on a perfect album. Listen to it again.

This comment is beneath your viewing threshold.

I've tried this album a few times and it just doesn't do anything for me. I don't get what all the fuss is about.

Totally bizarre and unique album. Brilliant lyrically and all the more charming for its short-comings (mainly Mangum's voice).

Absolutely worth a listen, and don't give up if you don't get it straight away.

I've got to admit something... I hate folk albums. All of this Fleet Foxes, Mumford & Sons and Bon Iver music don't do it for me at all. But this album is something really special, a diamond in the rough is a way to put it. Some great arrangements to the songs, the lyrics are strange but deeply profound and the Anne Frank sub-text gives it a haunting feel to it.

Best Indie Sub-Neo-Folk Concept Album About Semen of 1998 goes to this album