Elliott Smith

I just started listening to this guy a couple weeks ago. Absolutely fantastic music. "Between the Bars" is probably one of my favorite songs of all time.

Here are two beautiful acoustic performances.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p4cJv6s_Yjw

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h2sfwky4RqQ

For those of you who have seen the film The Royal Tenenbaums, you'll probably recognize this song:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hHDbCC0Ongs

This song was supposedly from Good Will Hunting. I personally wouldn't know, I've never seen the film.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zH8-lQ9CeyI

Here's another great song:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nabO_UXb6MM

My friend owns the majority of his discography on vinyl, so he lent me a few LPs and I've been listening to him quite a lot lately.

I apologize ahead of time for this thread's lack of IDM

He's a top-shelf singer songwriter who made some classic level stuff. Very melodically gifted and the way he portrays severe depression through his lyrics is just a little too real for some people, but it's very honest and very necessary.

this track is pretty much perfect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dye5BmmEdco

i was reading an old spin magazine article a couple months ago that came out not long after his death. i wasnt aware of just how deeply fucked up this guy was.. wow. sounded like pure hell.. funny thing is he was clean at the time of his suicide... probably had something to do with going cold turkey off antidepressants..

I wish I was just hearing Elliott Smith for the first time today. That's a goldmine discovery.

  On 3/27/2011 at 4:58 AM, Z_B_Z said:

this track is pretty much perfect.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dye5BmmEdco

Yes! The verse melody on this song is possibly my favorite melody of all time.

Tomorrow Tomorrow's another song that's about as good as anything could possibly be in my eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogg2RbPypug

Also, am I alone in thinking Figure 8 is by far his best album? It seems to get mediocre reviews down the line, but it's a top 5 album for me.

i remember loving waltz number 2 when it first cam out on the radio, early higschool? i loved it but never followed up and didn't check out more of his work. i was a bit sad when i found out he died but that was years after his death. strange, lovely music. is there a greatest hits album or something that i def need to check out of his?

Nah, just pick up/download XO and Figure 8. If you liked Waltz #2 you won't be disappointed. They're both very solid albums. I really liked his last one too, From a Basement on a Hill, but that's one you should check out after you're already familiar with his sound. The lyrics can be a bit mopey at times, but you can tell it all comes from a very genuine place, and it's usually said in a very eloquent way. As far as sad, introspective lyric writing goes, he's the king.

  On 3/27/2011 at 5:56 AM, yek said:

i remember loving waltz number 2 when it first cam out on the radio, early higschool? i loved it but never followed up and didn't check out more of his work. i was a bit sad when i found out he died but that was years after his death. strange, lovely music. is there a greatest hits album or something that i def need to check out of his?

Just listen to XO and Figure 8 non-stop for a few years until every note is burnt into your brain. That's what I did anyway.

I'm glad to see you getting into him, Cap. He has long been one of my favorite artists. He can get melodramatic with his lyrics, but somehow he gets away with it. He seems more sincere than most singer/songwriters, or lyricists in general. If you want more, I suggest getting the album Mic City Sons by Heatmiser. This was Smith's first band, and it's equally as awesome. Think Elliott Smith meets Fugazi. You will not be disappointed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db32BoQ7NA4

Also, this always makes me lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4gs4rSL5Os

edit: @Zephyr Yesssss. XO and Figure 8.

ahhhhh. i love elliott smith so much. instant turbo melancholy. he's brilliant :')

I have a friend who plays his stuff a lot. However I had to lay down the law and told him to not play Mr Smith if I was about as I get a very negative vibe from it. And I love Joy Division/Cure/Sisters of Mercy etc etc (these bands have great sonic qualitys though). So depressing music dosen't bother me. I actually find most 'depressing music', elegant and beautiful. Elliot Smith is just plain, stripped-down, pitch black, morose. There is only so much fucking moaning I can listen to.

RJD2 track that samples Elliott Smith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKJeLG8-M5I

ive been exploring the schizophrenic world of lil b and stumbled upon this. sort of.... confusing.. but im strangely transfixed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-IYSl4I-4I

It's depressing that Lil B is even mentioned with any relevance to Elliott Smith. Internet celebrity halfwit.

what are you talking about hes the voice of a goddamn generation.

That's what I'm talking about.

i dont really think that btw, but i do find his schtick interesting.. no more lil b, back to smith.

It's depressing that Lil B isn't the focus of this thread yet.

Or is it?

BASED GOD FOREVER

lol fuck..

  On 3/28/2011 at 2:13 AM, Z_B_Z said:

what are you talking about hes the voice of a goddamn generation.

Exhibit A is a 17 year American:

  On 3/28/2011 at 2:35 AM, Al5x said:

It's depressing that Lil B isn't the focus of this thread yet.

 

Or is it?

 

BASED GOD FOREVER

Dude was a great guitarist, drummer, piano player, arranger, lyricist, singer and songwriter. What is not to love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qH2SmPth0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFGI99QHlOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfb3TmyVZDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX1vIZm7NPw

so many more amazing songs to choose. good thread. I heard he was a bit of a prick though.

  On 3/28/2011 at 8:11 AM, jefferoo said:

I heard he was a bit of a prick though.

I'd be disappointed if he wasn't.

people keep posting songs from figure 8. i still haven't properly listened to figure 8 :O

  On 3/28/2011 at 8:11 AM, jefferoo said:

Dude was a great guitarist, drummer, piano player, arranger, lyricist, singer and songwriter. What is not to love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFGI99QHlOw

 

so many more amazing songs to choose. good thread. I heard he was a bit of a prick though.

heh. getting a bit of a gasman vibe from this song.

I've seen Elliott Smith live.

Edit: Not that he's still alive living somewhere, but I saw him do a concert once.

Yeah, anyway..

I love his music.