Saturday 30 October 2010

Elliott Smith...review


An Introduction To…Elliott Smith

When Elliott Smith died in October 2003 the world lost one of the most powerful and greatest songwriters of our era. ‘An Introduction to…Elliott Smith’ provides the listener with a well-balanced and insightful collection to some of Elliott’s strongest and most loved songs.

From the Academy Award nominated ‘Miss Misery’ (New Moon) and ‘Last Call’ (Roman Candle), this album brings you right up to date with tracks from ‘From A Basement On The Hill’ (the posthumously released record in 2004).  Each of Elliott’s seven albums are represented on the collection with ‘Either/Or’ (perhaps deservedly so) offering no less than 5 tracks.

Elliott was born in Nebraska in 1969 before moving to Dallas as a one year old to live with his mother. By fourteen he moved to Portland to live with his father, stepmother and two half-sisters. It was in Portland that Elliott started writing and recording songs on a four-track recorder. Whilst studying at Hampshire College, Elliott befriended Neil Gust, who he later went on to form the band Heatmiser with. From this point onwards Elliott demonstrated his song writing abilities, gaining significant critical acclaim along the way.

Although some personal favourites may be left off (‘I Didn’t Understand, ‘Son Of Sam and ‘A Fond Farewell’), this will always happen when these collections are put together. Having said this, there is not a bad track on the record (it would be hard to find a bad Elliott track). “Needle In The Hay’, ‘Pretty (Ugly Before) and ‘Between The Bars’ all earn their place, much to the delight of this reviewer.

The collection works predominantly for the listener who has yet to hear a single song of Elliott Smith (wanting a taste), but also for the established fan that can appreciate some of his best known works. These ‘introduction to’ releases often misrepresent an artist, especially one whose albums are so well rounded without obvious stand out singles. This record however, does not act as a ‘best of’, yet as titled, an ‘introduction to’….such an emotional, powerful and mesmerising songwriter. It is a great place to start before you delve into each of his albums.

PS. Check Elliott's Beatles cover of 'Because' from the end credits of the movie American Beauty.