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 2016-09-02, in posts by aaron and tagged elliott smith. 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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