The two full-length records that Jeff Mangum made as Neutral Milk Hotel sound both in and out of time. Like translations of a shared subconscious, 1996's On Avery Island and 1998's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea give voice to the perennial spirit of youthful epiphany, of beginning to see the world clearly, to process and express it-no matter when you encounter them. With lo-fi indie rock, accordion, singing saw, tape collages, the so-called "zanzithophone" and beyond, Neutral Milk Hotel created an eternal entry into their Elephant 6 scene and an enduring feeling of possibility. Mangum was born in the small city of Ruston, Louisiana, in 1970, coming of age within the '80s and '90s indie and punk undergrounds, a movement of teenagers recording in their bedrooms, sharing zines and trading tapes, listening to hardcore and experimental music on college radio. For all the mythology Mangum's elusive persona has accrued-particularly during the 15 years immediately following Aeroplane, when he abruptly left the band behind-it's the beguiling songs themselves that have resonated so deeply for generations. In 2011, Mangum collected nearly all of the band's recorded output in a limited-edition box set (self-released under Neutral Milk Hotel Records, a small operation helmed by Mangum and his mother) which is now re-pressed by Merge. // In compariosn to the previous version the Merge edition includes debut album On Avery Island expanded to a double LP, an exclusive 12-inch picture disc of Live at Jittery Joe's, a previously unreleased live recording of "Little Birds" as the A-side of the 7-inch, and the "Holland, 1945" / "Engine" 7-inch on black vinyl with brand-new art. All jackets are printed on enhanced cardboard stock for more vibrant, consistent color. In addition, the depth of the outer box has been increased to accommodate the extra contents and the interior fitments redesigned for added strength. DETAILS OF BOX SET CONTENTS: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea LP Housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket. On Avery Island 2-LP Expanded to include the full-length version of "Pree-Sisters Swallowing a Donkey's Eye." Housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket. Live at Jittery Joe's 12-inch picture disc Recorded in Athens in 1997, with new artwork. The first inclusion of this performance in the box set. Exclusive full-color picture disc packaged in a deluxe clear sleeve. Ferris Wheel on Fire 10-inch EP Eight acoustic recordings unavailable elsewhere. Black vinyl housed in a cardboard jacket. Everything Is 10-inch EP The four songs from the original EP plus three additional songs. Black vinyl housed in a cardboard jacket. "Holland, 1945" / "Engine" 7-inch Contains an exclusive recording of "Engine" and all-new artwork. Black vinyl in a cardboard jacket housed in a plastic outer sleeve. "Little Birds" 7-inch Previously unreleased 2014 live recording of "Little Birds" in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, featuring Jeremy Barnes & Heather Trost of A Hawk and a Hacksaw, plus a studio demo recording of "Little Birds." Black vinyl in a cardboard jacket housed in a plastic outer sleeve. "You've Passed" / "Where You'll Find Me Now" 7-inch Two 4-track recordings of these songs. Black frame added to front cover art to be consistent with the other two 7-inches. Black vinyl in a cardboard jacket housed in a plastic outer sleeve. 24" x 24" poster featuring outer box cover art. 24" x 24" poster featuring flying gramophone art. Box Set Includes: 2x 12" full-length albums 2x 10" records 3x 7" records 1x 12" picture disk 2x posters postcard All of above assembled in a 12" two-piece telescoping case-wrapped box.