I was looking at the website of William Schaff, the guy who did the mindblowing art on the last Okkervil River album, and found a picture book he did which borrows heavily from In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. It's awesome, and I'm thinking about contacting him about how I can get my hands on a copy of it. Here's the link to his home page. Click on the "Little Books" link on the left side, then when the window opens, click on the second book cover listed on the right side that says "I Am Listening To Here Where You Are." From there you can look through the book page by page.

Very interesting stuff. I wish it was easier to read some of the stuff in the banners though.

Did he also do Godspeed You Black Emperor!'s Lift Your Skinny Fists' artwork? I didn't see it on his site, but I suspect it's his.

Yep. He also did the Lift Yr Fists artwork according to Tiny Mix Tapes.

Great spot RL. It's pretty disturbing work isn't it. It seems to be an artistic interpretation of ITAOTS but I need to look more closely. On first look I see Ann Frank (with roses in her eyes, of course), Two Headed Boy, and Ghost.

Do we know if Schaff ever did work for NMH directly? If he did, I think it's even more valuable as an insight into Mangum's writing of the album.

Schaff is another link between NMH and Okkervill River. Will Sheff has never hidden that they are an inspiration.

Wow, did anyone else read Pitchfork's latest story? Jeff Mangum appears onstage with Olivia Tremor Control?! That's the best news I've heard in a long time. It's made me giddy. Does this foreshadow a possible comeback? I can only hope.

I kind of doubt it...isn't Jeff Mangum pretty much insane? I wish they would come back, but you can't get your hopes up.