Everything Is (EP)
Encyclopedia
Everything Is was the first recording mass-released by Neutral Milk Hotel
, which at this point was largely still an outlet for the songwriting of Jeff Mangum
, instead of a fully formed band. The recording was originally the second release on the fledgling Seattle label Cher Doll Records
in 1994. The label in the form of a 7", with "Everything Is" as the A side, and "Snow Song, Pt. 1" as the B side. The first 50 7"s pressed also featured different artwork, with each sleeve being personally xerox
ed by Mangum. The Cher Doll edition is now out of print.
The British
label Fire Records
re-released the record in 1995, on CD and 7", with the 7" retaining the same A and B sides, and the CD version featuring an extra track, "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch", a five minute sound collage by Mangum. Both CD and 7" featured different artwork (which can be seen to the right). The Fire version is also out of print, though not as collectible as the Cher Doll version.
In 2001, the recently founded Orange Twin Records
(owned by members of Elephant 6 luminaries Elf Power
) re-released the single once again, this time on CD only, adding the extra track "Tuesday Moon". The artwork remained the same as was previously seen on the Fire release. This version is currently in print.
The songs featured on the single are distinctly representative of the early, 'embryonic' Neutral Milk Hotel, and indeed, all but "Snow Song Pt. 1" feature in identical versions on earlier tapes which are in circulation. "Everything Is" appears on the second unnamed demo, which is assumed to have been produced in 1993. "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch" also features on this demo, and a slightly longer version appears on 1992's Beauty
as "Hypnotic Sounds", allegedly one of the very first Neutral Milk Hotel recordings. "Tuesday Moon" can also be found on Invent Yourself a Shortcake, listed as "Love You On A Tuesday", although the version that appears on the Orange Twin re-release is culled from 1993's Hype City Soundtrack.
While the simple collage of "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch" is often divisive, "Everything Is" itself is a fan favorite, and was played live by the band on several occasions. "Tuesday Moon" appears on several live bootlegs, and "Snow Song, Pt. 1" often featured in the band's pre-Aeroplane live set, usually after "Rubby Bulbs". Very few live versions of "Snow Song, Pt. 1" include the second verse.
The UK release of On Avery Island
(on Fire Records) featured the original two tracks from the "Everything Is" single as bonus tracks, though without the band's permission.
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
, which at this point was largely still an outlet for the songwriting of Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
, instead of a fully formed band. The recording was originally the second release on the fledgling Seattle label Cher Doll Records
Cher Doll Records
Cher Doll Records is a small independent record label founded in Seattle, Washington by Nancy Ostrander in 1993. The label released records for several indie-pop bands including Neutral Milk Hotel's first single on a two sided seven-inch record.-History:...
in 1994. The label in the form of a 7", with "Everything Is" as the A side, and "Snow Song, Pt. 1" as the B side. The first 50 7"s pressed also featured different artwork, with each sleeve being personally xerox
Xerox
Xerox Corporation is an American multinational document management corporation that produced and sells a range of color and black-and-white printers, multifunction systems, photo copiers, digital production printing presses, and related consulting services and supplies...
ed by Mangum. The Cher Doll edition is now out of print.
The British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
label Fire Records
Fire Records
Fire Records was an independent record label set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson . Among others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup.-Selected discography:...
re-released the record in 1995, on CD and 7", with the 7" retaining the same A and B sides, and the CD version featuring an extra track, "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch", a five minute sound collage by Mangum. Both CD and 7" featured different artwork (which can be seen to the right). The Fire version is also out of print, though not as collectible as the Cher Doll version.
In 2001, the recently founded Orange Twin Records
Orange Twin Records
Orange Twin Records is an Athens, Georgia-based record label run by Laura Carter, a multi-instrumental member of Elephant 6 popsters Elf Power....
(owned by members of Elephant 6 luminaries Elf Power
Elf Power
Elf Power is an indie rock band that originated in Athens, Georgia. Currently, the line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Rieger, keyboardist Laura Carter, guitarist Jimmy Hughes, bassist Derek Almstead, and drummer Eric Harris...
) re-released the single once again, this time on CD only, adding the extra track "Tuesday Moon". The artwork remained the same as was previously seen on the Fire release. This version is currently in print.
The songs featured on the single are distinctly representative of the early, 'embryonic' Neutral Milk Hotel, and indeed, all but "Snow Song Pt. 1" feature in identical versions on earlier tapes which are in circulation. "Everything Is" appears on the second unnamed demo, which is assumed to have been produced in 1993. "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch" also features on this demo, and a slightly longer version appears on 1992's Beauty
Beauty (album)
Beauty is the second demo recorded by Neutral Milk Hotel, recorded in 1992, released on a cassette tape.-Track listing:All songs written by Jeff Mangum except where noted.#"Engine" – 4:23#"Circle of Friends" – 3:28...
as "Hypnotic Sounds", allegedly one of the very first Neutral Milk Hotel recordings. "Tuesday Moon" can also be found on Invent Yourself a Shortcake, listed as "Love You On A Tuesday", although the version that appears on the Orange Twin re-release is culled from 1993's Hype City Soundtrack.
While the simple collage of "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch" is often divisive, "Everything Is" itself is a fan favorite, and was played live by the band on several occasions. "Tuesday Moon" appears on several live bootlegs, and "Snow Song, Pt. 1" often featured in the band's pre-Aeroplane live set, usually after "Rubby Bulbs". Very few live versions of "Snow Song, Pt. 1" include the second verse.
The UK release of On Avery Island
On Avery Island
-Track listing:All songs written by Jeff Mangum except where noted. Horn arrangements by Robert Schneider.#"Song Against Sex" – 3:40#"You've Passed" – 2:54#"Someone Is Waiting" – 2:31#"A Baby for Pree" – 1:21#"Marching Theme" – 2:58...
(on Fire Records) featured the original two tracks from the "Everything Is" single as bonus tracks, though without the band's permission.
Track listing
- "Everything Is" - 3:42
- "Snow Song, Pt. 1" - 3:51
- "Aunt Eggma Blowtorch" - 5:00
- "Tuesday Moon" - 2:19