Elliott Smith

[.:.impossible]

A co-worker (good friend actually... scratch co-worker) turned me onto Elliott Smith X/O about a year and a half ago and I've been snatching up all of his albums ever since. Is anyone else on this board listening to Elliott Smith?

[AfricaBrass]

I've never had a chance to listen to Elliot Smith. I'd like to though.

How about Brendan Benson? I think he's similar to Elliot Smith. I love his Lapalco album.

I'd love to hear any suggestions for where to start?

[ghost of miles]

Start with either ELLIOTT SMITH or EITHER/OR, in the case of Elliott Smith. (You've asked an impassioned zealot--I'm giving fair warning!) They're both primarily-acoustic albums that he recorded for Kill Rock Stars in 1995 and 1997. Beautiful, beautiful songs, hushed and edged with lyrical menace, junkie lullabies is how I always think of them, a kind of musical heroin. For a long time he just about ruined other singer-songwriters for me. Great hooks and harmonies, and it sounds as if he recorded it in his living-room--I mean that in a good way. Those records have a really unusual intimacy to them.

XO is also outstanding, but much broader-sounding, more produced, with keyboards and strings added on some tracks. It was his Dreamworks debut, coming out not long after he received an Oscar nomination for "Miss Misery," one of several songs he contributed to the GOOD WILL HUNTING soundtrack. FIGURE 8, which came out in 2000, is probably the brightest of his records--several outstanding songs, maybe not quite as many as on previous records, but the album is sequenced brilliantly. Another pop tour de force IMO, although many fans didn't like it as much as the KRS records and XO. His earlier work, both with a band called Heatmiser and on a record called ROMAN CANDLE, is worth seeking out too. He's been in limbo for the past couple of years because of on-again/off-again drug problems and a falling-out with Dreamworks (they supposedly rejected an album he recorded called FROM A BASEMENT ON A HILL because it was too "dark"--rumor has it he'll release it on another label or put out a double-CD of even newer material). Interestingly enough, Brad Mehldau has recorded Smith's "Bottle Up and Explode" (from XO) on a radio-only promo called DE-REGULATING JAZZ.

Have I yakked enough about Mr. Smith?

[AfricaBrass]

Thanks Ghost!

I appreciate you taking the time to fill me in Elliot Smith. I will pick up something when I can. Your description has really got my curiosity up. It sounds like something I would love.

I can't afford to hang out here. It's going to be too expensive!

[.:.impossible]

I'm listening to FIGURE 8 for the first time through tonight. I would recommend starting with either this or X/O and working your way back, although if you like his early stuff, you'll definitely dig on this stuff. Much more harmony and many more instruments.

I can't decide whether it is his voice or his songs that I like most. I can't really compare him to anyone else, though my Mom kept telling me how much he reminded her of John Lennon.

I wasn't alive when John Lennon's music was "contemporary" and she was, so...

BTW, she was in love with Paul.

[AfricaBrass]

Thanks impossible!

I still haven't picked up anything yet. I haven't forgot. I think I'll start with the newer stuff. I love harmonies and more instruments.

:rsmile:

[doubleM]

Good to hear that some jazz-flavored folks also like Elliott's music. Being in Portland, I've had a chance to see him a few times. He can play just about anything, and does on most of his albums. I can't wait for his new album. Heard it might be a double.

[Rooster_Ties]

Brad Mehldau covers an Elliott Smith tune on a promo-only CD - the same one where Mehldau does a solo-piano version of Radiohead's "Paranoid Android".

I'll have to look up the particulars later, as I'm up way past my bedtime at the moment.

=====

My vague memory tells me it's "Bottle Up And Explode", if that in fact even is an Elliott Smith tune.

Off to ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz........

Edited March 25, 2003 by Rooster_Ties

[blake]

smith's former band, heatmiser, is also worth checking out. particularly their final album, mic city sons. a bit rougher around the edges than his solo work.

heatmiser also included sam coomes, now of quasi with janet weiss (sleater kinney). and neil gust now of no.2. smith appears on both no.2 albums and a couple of quasi's.

[AfricaBrass]

Thanks for the suggestion, blake!

Welcome to the forum!

:rsmile: :rsmile:

[.:.impossible]

I'm listening to Figure 8 again tonight. This guy is beautiful. I'm envious DoubleM. I can't imagine a local scene that has a presence this strong. I wonder if I had known about Elliott Smith and musicians like him earlier on. Would I have discovered jazz?

Eventually, but I think this music would have snagged me for a while. Either way, I am so glad to have been introduced to this music. Matter of fact, I thanked my friend the other day for hipping me to Elliott Smith.

I've wanted to check out Heatmiser for a while now. Sometime soon. First and foremost, I need to buy two copies of Snurdy McGurdy (one for my brother's birthday and one for myself of course) and the NESSA AEC Box (just one, for myself ).

Do you guys listen to any other musicians that you would associate with Elliott Smith?

[ghost of miles]

Rooster, it was indeed "Bottle Up and Explode," on a radio promo called DEREGULATING JAZZ.

There have been a lot of rumors about Smith and his new album in the past two years. The album--entitled FROM A BASEMENT ON THE HILL--was supposedly rejected by Dreamworks for being too "dark" and a little too rough-hewn, audiowise (Smith's intention, from what I heard). Most of the songs have been circulating as bootlegs on the web, but I've heard only a few so far, and they sound up to par with his past work, if perhaps more harmonically spare. Now there's talk of a double-album which may replace BASEMENT, or which may be BASEMENT somewhat re-done. Smith evidently went through a pretty bad period for a year or so after coming off the road for FIGURE 8, but all the accounts I've read of his recent live performances have been very upbeat. This site has long been the best source of info on Smith, and not long ago he endorsed it as his official web-page. It's fanclubby but smart, and Smith himself has posted there on occasion. (There's also a biography assembled by one of the people who runs the site.)

As for comparisons, the British folk singer/songwriter Nick Drake, who died at 26 in 1974, is often invoked, and I can see something of a parallel, although I think Smith is much grittier--but they both have a gentle, harmonically rich lyricism that's underlined with melancholic shades of depression, making bliss out of despair. (Ironically enough, Drake has also been covered by Brad Mehldau, who's recorded "River Man" on both studio and live CDs.)

[doubleM]

Impossible--I actually didn't yet live in Portland when Elliott still did, but I know he has roots, many friends and family here. I think he lives in L.A., now. My older brother played a few shows w/ his opening band "Jr. High" in April '99. That tour came through Salt Lake City, where I lived at the time. My cat had a litter the day they played, and one of my friends suggested I name a kitten "Elliott", so I did. I even kept him! So how's that for hardcore?!!! . Anyway, to get back to your point, the scene here is pretty good, but not dripping w/ ES gigs. I wish he played here more often. And yes, there is a band called "Quasi" that I'd check out. They are a two-piece from Portland that used to be his bassist and drummer on tours, and they'd open for him. These guys share certain similarities w/ ES, IMHO. It's the drummer from Sleater-Kinney, and her ex-husband Sam Coomes, who plays a number of odd keyboards, guitars, etc.. His lyrics are depressing like Elliott's, but in a more humorous way, I would say. "Birds" is a good starter for their stuff. Enjoy! :rsmile:

[blake]

Do you guys listen to any other musicians that you would associate with Elliott Smith?

joe pernice.

similiar early influences (the clash, nick drake, elvis costello) and stylistic approach as smith. one hell of a songwriter. start with the world won't end by his band the pernice brothers. there's also a solo album and side project called chappaquiddick skyline.

[AfricaBrass]

I just wanted to thank you guys for this thread.

I finally picked up Elliott Smith's S/T cd and Figure 8 last night.

I've only had a chance to listen to his first album, but I have to say that I was BLOWN AWAY. After the first song ended, I couldn't believe how much I liked it. Then I felt the same about the second song, and so on.

I can wait to hear Figure 8.

:rsmile:

[doubleM]

Good to hear, AfricaBrass. Let me emphasize that you also pick up Either/Or, and XO. The Shit.

[AfricaBrass]

Good to hear, AfricaBrass. Let me emphasize that you also pick up Either/Or, and XO. The Shit.

I'm going to try to get one of those today.

I'm really surprised by how much I like Smith's music. Thanks for the suggestions!

:rsmile:

[.:.impossible]

I felt the exact same way Africa Brass. I think there are a lot of people that would really like Elliott Smith's music. I hope he continues to put out great albums for a long long time.

[AfricaBrass]

I felt the exact same way Africa Brass. I think there are a lot of people that would really like Elliott Smith's music. I hope he continues to put out great albums for a long long time.

I hope so too!

impossible, thanks again for starting this thread!

:rsmile:

Edited April 12, 2003 by AfricaBrass

[John B]

I've never heard Elliot Smith but, based on the recommendations above, I am going to give his self-titled disc and X/O a spin when I have a chance in the next week or so. Thanks for all of the reviews!

[AfricaBrass]

I hope you like his music, John.

I finally listened to Figure 8 yesterday and I'm really surprised to say that I like his first S/T release better. I'm not saying that it's not good. It is, but I just enjoyed the simplicity of his first album a little bit more.

I'm still looking forward to picking up his other albums, but I'll have to wait a while. I've bought too many cds lately.

:rsmile:

[ghost of miles]

I felt the exact same way Africa Brass. I think there are a lot of people that would really like Elliott Smith's music. I hope he continues to put out great albums for a long long time.

I hit the Sweet Adeline set once or twice a week, and I'm sure they will excitedly post news about his new album whenever more becomes known. (It was originally announced for late 2001, so folks have been waiting quite a while now.) Whenever there is news, I'll post it on this thread. AfricaBrass, I like the s/t one better too--for me, it and EITHER/OR are the two must-haves, with XO and FIGURE 8 close behind. Rumor has it that Smith is returning to more of the stripped-down sound that marked his Kill Rock Stars era, when he released the two "acoustic" records, as ES fans sometimes call them. He played a killin' electric version of "Clementine" when I saw him at the Southgate House in Kentucky in Nov. 2000, and he opened with "Ballad of Big Nothing"... I was psyched to say the least! BTW, if you love the sound of the Kill Rock Stars CDs, you might want to look into ROMAN CANDLE, the record that preceeded them... it has the same sort of production quality to it, and the songs are quite good.

[AfricaBrass]

Thanks Ghost!

I'll look for Roman Candle. I really thought I'd like the really produced stuff more, but the acoustic stuff really shows how talented he is. He has some great songs.

:rsmile:

[.:.impossible]

I'm glad to see this thread has recieved so much attention. I listen to the "acoustic" albums more often than X/O and Figure 8, but don't neglect them. On top of his great songwriting, there is some pretty amazing rock arrangement. Every once in a while, I will hear an electric guitar lick step out front and disappear in his lyrics on these well produced albums. I don't think they take anything away from his music. They give it a sort of duality that seems to amplify his musical talent.

I may have to check out some of the like-kind-quality recommendations on this thread. I never get tired of listening to Elliott Smith!

[AfricaBrass]

Thanks for turning me on to Smith, impossible!

I picked up Either/Or a week ago and have been listening to it constantly. I really love his songs, especially his chord progressions. You can tell that he's studied some of the masters (Beatles, etc.). His songs just get under my skin and make me want to listen to them over and over. I really am hooked!

I think I prefer the earlier, more spartan recordings because they really show off his gifts. I have Figure 8, and I think something gets lost when more is added to the mix. I need to spend more time with Figure 8. I have a feeling the same riches are there, but they're a little harder to get to.

:rsmile: