On Avery Island

Neutral Milk Hotel began in Ruston, Louisiana in the early 1990s, as one of the many home recording projects of musician Jeff Mangum.[11] The simple home recordings Mangum made with his friends Robert Schneider, Bill Doss, and Will Cullen Hart led to the formation of the Elephant 6 music collective.[12] After graduating from high school, Mangum moved to Seattle, and released the single "Everything Is" on Cher Doll Records, under the Neutral Milk Hotel name.[13] The single's exposure convinced Mangum to record more music under this name. He moved to Denver and worked with Schneider to record On Avery Island.[14]

On Avery Island was recorded at Pet Sounds Studio from February to May 1995 except for the track "Marching Theme", which was recorded in June 1994. The album was produced by Robert Schneider on 4-track.[15]

The title refers to Avery Island, a salt dome island in southern Louisiana, the band's home state.

The UK version of this CD has two more tracks: "Everything Is" and "Snow Song Pt. 1," both of which are taken from the "Everything Is" single, reportedly without Jeff Mangum's permission.[15] On the vinyl LP, "Pree-Sisters Swallowing a Donkey's Eye" is 3:28 long, as opposed to the significantly longer digital and CD version at 13:49. The UK version also has a different cover, with artwork by Jill Carnes of Thimble Circus.

All tracks are written by Jeff Mangum, except where noted. Horn arrangements composed by Robert Schneider.

• Jeff Mangum – guitar, drums, vocals, bells, xylophone, air organ, keyboards, tapes, cover design
• Robert Schneider – air organs, home organs, fuzz bass, xylophone, horn arrangements
• Lisa Janssen – fuzz bass on tracks 2 and 8, cover design
• Rick Benjamin – trombone on tracks 1, 7, 8

Track 12 features Marisa Bissinger, Hilarie Sidney, Zachary DeMichele, Dane Terry, Lisa Janssen, Aaron Reedy, and Jeff Mangum performing various Indonesian instruments.