KMA1909 Elliott Smith – Figure 8
The Taranna Was Hot Series: Part 24/25 (3-for-$10 bin, BMV)
I don’t know from Elliott Smith, but his legend post-mortem carries weight. All deference to Elliott proponents, but what I heard here was fairly straight-forward pop rock songs, beautifully done but nothing all that memorable.
The songs are sweet, almost precious, but is he feeling what he’s singing or just writing for effect? I assume fans would say the former, yet one wonders. Apparently other efforts were less produced, more intimate, and this is his most commercial effort. Fair play.
Posted on September 2, 2016, in posts by aaron. Bookmark the permalink. 20 Comments.
Agreed. I’ve never understood the fuss about him tbh.
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Yup, I was expecting a lot more, but the weight of expectation outweighed the actuality. Or something like that.
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Or his death magnifies his achievements, which happens.
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Yeah, maybe. This is the only one of his I’ve heard, though. Maybe (as his fans say) his earlier stuff is better. If I see it for cheap I’d still try it.
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His album Either/Or (1997) is wonderful – there’s one song in particular (Rose Parade) that might be in my top 25. Very simple structure, but it really resonates, “They say it’s a sight that’s quite worth seeing, it’s just that everyone’s interest is larger than mine” is the line I find especially relatable!
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Ah, see? Here’s someone who knows more! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for this And/Or record, if I see it cheap, I’ll snag it. Thanks for the recommend!
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But go in with low expectations of course! I think a few of the tunes were used in Good Will Hunting & I’m pretty sure he recorded the bulk of it himself.
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Oh I dunno, by all of that it sounds promising enough!
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I think I you lost me at sweet, almost precious.
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Man, I’ve been losing you a lot today, Bop!
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I’ll put my ankle bracelet back on.
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It’s ever so stylish, I don’t even know why you take it off…
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That’s what Bubba in cell block 6 keeps telling me.
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Oh, Bubba just a big teddy bear. So long as he lays off the homemade toilet moonshine.
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Mnah. Never much liked this one … just didn’t have the same pull or weight as his earlier albums. First four are worth checking out, but Either/Or and XO are fairly exceptional albums. I haven’t listened to them in a long time, but definitely the quintessential Elliot Smith albums.
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There’s another vote for his earlier stuff! Awesome, thanks!
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Fairly certain I saw them last time I was in Kerching. I’ll pick them up for you if you’re interested …
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That place is amazing. I never say no to shopping there!
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I should be around tomorrow, so I’ll pick ’em up for you if that’s the case.
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Brilliant! Much appreciated!
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