I actually think Neutral Milk Hotel has "grit" that the Flaming Lips are lacking.  Jeff Mangum has been one of my favorite songwriters for quite a while now--certainly since "Avery Island" and "In the Aeroplane."  When you get a chance you might also like to check out "Live at Java Joe's."  (Or is it Jittery Joe's?  I forget.  He does a fun little Specter number on there.)

I do wish Mangum would write again.  But maybe he's happy not doing that, so I wish him well.

Happy new year.

Herring405