Alright guys, we're in the top 5. Prepare for incredibly long writeups.
5. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)If I wasn't branded a hipster with the Animal Collective addition, perhaps this will do it. This is largely looked at (and sadly, often dismissed) as a "hipster" album, whatever that is supposed to mean. Anyway, this was a tough addition to the list. Sometimes this album is #1 without a doubt in my mind. But I put it here just because it felt right for now. Anyway, this is THE indie album. Kind of in the same way some may look at Images and Words as THE prog metal album. It definitely isn't the first of the genre by a LONG shot, but it was very groundbreaking and important in establishing the sound many indie bands have today. This one is much better than any other indie album though, for several reasons. First, I'll get it out of the way that I don't even like the vocals. So I probably look like some kind of madman for having the album this high. But trust me, the music is that good to me that the vocals go from being grating to a non-factor.
Anyways, now on to the good. First, the lyrics. Oh my god is Mangum a good songwriter. I'll start off by saying the lyrics are weird as all hell, often sexual in the weirdest possible ways, and very hard to make sense of at times, so I need a little assistance from the internet often to get what he's going for. But even when I don't know I appreciate it greatly. It's not only in what the words say though, he uses alliteration like a master (especially in Oh Comely) and it's very effective in making it stick with you. He writes songs like a surreal author. It's pretty cool. Of course you have those moments that are notorious ("I LOOOOOVE YOU JESUUUUUS CHRIIIIIIIST") but I don't mind them. There's also moments that are just plain delightful and fun.
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 2 and 3, the Untitled instrumental, and
Holland, 1945 are songs that just make me wanna go outside and run for no reason. There's amazing melodies everywhere, lots of emotion, moments that make you feel like you're in some kind of deranged circus, and one of the best endings to an album ever (which is only really effective if you listen to the whole thing prior, but whatever). So this writeup probably kinda sucked because I feel I wrote a lot while saying very little, but properly explaining why this album is how it is is an impossible task. Something you just gotta hear. Most people would love it if Jeff Mangum could sing, like at all.
But if you look at reviews and opinions of it, you can see how well-respected it is anyway.
Favourite tracks: All (but mostly Ghost)