Athens-based Neutral Milk Hotel released In the Aeroplane Over the Sea in 1998, led by chief lyricist and songwriter, Jeff Mangum. The critically acclaimed album is a widely popular recording. A spiritually motivated work, it is conceptually based on the beauty to be found in the horrific fate of Anne Frank and similarly overwhelming tragedies.
The album was highly praised by critics for its wildly inventive instrumentation, provocative and impassioned lyrics. Although it met with scant response from the general public when it was released, the recording has continued to gain momentum in indie music circles and has become a cult classic, selling well over 100,000 copies.
However, the record, along with the year of constant touring that succeeded it, took its toll on Mangum. The band quite abruptly went on hiatus, turning down all requests for shows, including a support slot for R.E.M ., and little was heard from Mangum after that point.
Nearly a decade since it's debut, San Francisco based Ledbetter and his Best Bet bring this cult classic to life in it's entirety during the 11th Annual Mission Creek Music Festival.
