Figure 8

If you like melody in your music then this album is for you. I don't know idmf it was the production the singer, the music or all of the above, but it was all just beautiful and well rounded. I heard hints of the Beatles, but it really reminded me of was 70's singer songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan. I loved it all.

i'm a big elliott smith fan, and this album is no exception. he shares a lot of influences with music that i adore, and also i love his songwriting. often i find even though his music is laced with sadness, i find it quite comforting. i don't think there's a bad tune in the bunch here, but my favorites are 'son of sam,' 'somebody that i used to know,' 'stupidity tries,' and, 'easy way out.' just a great album from a great songwriter.

Loved this.

Great record. The middle of the album is so incredibly strong it nearly overshadows the rest of the record. Smith has a really unique voice, and he was underrated as a guitar player. Great riffs and melodies all throughout

Five stars, and I’m not just saying that because as a 38 year old white person I am legally obligated to believe this is one of the greatest albums of all time.

Sweet gentle and tragic.

5/5 Reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel

😭

everythingmeansnothingtomeeverythingmeansnothingtomeeverythingmeansnothingtome

Un cinco bajo.

his best in my opinion

One of my favorite albums. Pretty stoked and a little surprised to see it on this list. Will gladly give this a listen today.

Classic album. This is one of his most refined albums. Elliott dreamed to produce songs in the same fashion as Beatles one day, and it’s quite clear he was going for it here. I can’t think of many other artists that portray melancholy so beautifully as Elliott. He played all the instruments, wrote all the lyrics… His story is tragic, beautifully immortalized in his music

This is an almost perfect record. I remember this making such a mark on me when I first heard it in high school. It'd been a really long time since I've listened to it and it's just phenomenal.

I guess I was born in a barn. I didn't know how this guy. But I love his work. I will probably go listen to all of it.

This is what I needed to hear today

One of my long time favourites. Highlights: Honestly, most of the album - Junk Bond Trader, Everything Reminds Me of Her, Everything Means Nothing to Me, Easy Way Out, Wouldn’t Mama be Proud, Pretty Mary Kay.

Another great album from Elliott Smith, who I only recently discovered. This one has more piano and orchestral elements, so it sounds more like some Beatles albums or Ben Folds. For me it has a couple of truly standout tracks (Son of Sam and Everything Means Nothing To Me), but the entire album is very solid. Maybe not quite at the level of Either Or, but still amazing.

Really enjoyed listening to this one. It has a different feel from Either/Or, but one that I also very much appreciated.

Oh yes, I very much like this album.

About 750 albums ago, Elliott Smith's Either/Or became a new favorite so I was more than happy to hear from him again. Figure 8 seemed not as woeful but just as appealing as Either/Or. I'll take it.

My boyfriend at the time of this albums release was a huge fan of Elliott Smith so this was a keystone to my turn-of-the-century soundtrack. It’s a masterpiece. The sadness and shock of the Smith’s passing still reverberate through this album which perhaps had prevented me from listening to this but today it was a warm and lovely place to be. RIP Elliott.

I’ve owned Figure 8 for about fifteen years, so I’m pretty familiar with this album. I can’t remember if I bought it because I heard about it through the 1001 albums book, or if I bought it because a friend of mine from high school really loved Elliott Smith. Maybe it was a little bit of both. I haven’t listened to this album in years, so I’m really excited to dig into it. Of Smith’s discography, I’ve only listened to this and Either/Or, which I don’t particularly care for. I knew heading into this review that I preferred this album, and that definitely hasn’t changed with time. The album kicks off with the excellent “Son of Sam,” full of wonderful piano playing with perfectly matching guitar playing, Smith’s trademark hushed vocals, and some great organ arrangements underneath it all. The songwriting contains some of Smith’s more abstract and mysterious lyrics, and it’s a great leadoff track for an album that really fires well on all cylinders. From there, the album winds through some other fantastic songs: the bitter and sombre “Somebody That I Used To Know” and the piano driven, heroin allegory “Junk Bond Trader,” before getting to my favorite song on the album, “L.A.” I absolutely love the guitar playing on this song, and how the main melody is interspersed with the twang of some additional guitar notes, but the best part for me are those clicking strums that occur during the chorus. The drumming on this song is great too, and it evokes a sense of shuffling through the streets of a busy city. The first half of the album is my favorite part, mostly because I really love the arrangements. However, the second half of the album really let’s Smith’s songwriting abilities shine. His lyrics range from on-the-nose and obvious to mysterious and subtle, but he always seems to hit the mark. Even though I don’t like the arrangements on the second half of the album as much, they’re still exceptionally done and beautiful. In my opinion, this album is so much richer in sound that Either/Or, and it’s a much more enjoyable listen. There are so many subtle musical elements that this album warrants multiple listens. This album might not be my favorite thing to listen to, but it’s an absolute masterpiece of songwriting and musical production. Full of haunting lyrics, and melodies that fluctuate between infectiously toe-tapping, and melancholy, this is worth a listen for any music lover.

Everybody may not agree. But this is one of the first albums I had no idea who it was AND never heard any of the music. I loved the album and immediately after the album was over, I wanted to listen to it again. that is the first time that has happened with a brand new artist. I realize that this artist is playing to what I like, but he hit it. Love the album and can’t wait to listen to it again.

Great songs and really unique style and voice. Would like to get more into his music if I ever catch up on these albums.

Wasn’t familiar with this record but love it. His vocals are so unique and interesting and such a great songwriter.

Figure 8 I listened to this 5 times. I love Elliot smith. He is one of my favorite lyricists. From this album “The imitation picks you up like a habit” “Boring as a drug you take too regularly” (Really everything in Junk Bond Trader) “And I gotta hear the same sermon all the time now from you people” “If patience started a band. I’d be her biggest fan” “The enemy is within. Don’t confuse me with him” “I heard you found another audience to bore. Creative thinker who imagined you were more” I love everything means nothing. I also love stupidity tries. Can’t make a sound outro is incredible. I love this album

10/10 some of Elliot’s best work I absolutely love every second of this — I highly recommend giving the deluxe edition a listen

really liked this one! i listened to it more than once, which is rare for me. just a very good album.

This is a version of Elliott Smith with a lot to love. His songs here feel mature and unleashed. He feels even less tethered to song structure, a lot of great through-composed moments. Lyrics are stellar. And I really enjoy the more focused, semi baroque rock sound. Makes that this was done at least partly at Abbey Road. Feel like I can guess pretty accurately which songs were tracked there. Now I’m imagining every tack piano, harpsichord, every tubular bell coming from that little closet in the side room of Studio B. It’s gotta be B, right? B for Beatles. Even the guitars have a little bit more George Harrison in them. Do the techs at Studio B ever get tired of being asked to set things up the way the Beatles did it? Damn, on “In the Lost and Found” you can literally hear someone walking up the stairs in B! Confirmed. Sorry for the huge digression. I’m a mega nerd for this shit, lol. His piano playing is pretty amazing, I don’t remember hearing his playing on other records! Everything feels cohesive and kind of adventurous and a little nostalgic and NOT what I was expecting for a mid-career, (sadly) last album. And come on, songs like “Somebody that I used to know,” he knew how to write a killer song. 5/5 I loved it! Grew on me a ton.

think this is my favourite elliott smith - his music, lyrics, production is all on point in this one

i dig it!

Never came across Elliott before, but really liked what I heard on this album. Son of Sam - grabbed me as a really interesting track. Nice mix of vocals / music. From folk, piano to rock guitar Somebody that I used to know - As good as Simon & Garfunkel in their heyday. Brilliant track. Everything reminds me of her - loved it Everything means nothing to me - wow. Overall an absolutely brilliant album. So awful to hear how he passed away.

Love it. So interesting and dark and beautiful and honest. Also check out XO. I think the songwriting on that album is even stronger than this amazing collection.

Fav songs: - Son of Sam - Junk Brond Trader - L.A. - Colorbars

I KNOW this is not for everyone. But it is perfect for me. To be candid, there have been times I have wanted to just drive off a cliff into the abyss, but sitting with Elliott Smith, in this album particularly, let me feel less alone. I do acknowledge that the first half of the album is much stronger than the later half but it is still a complete album listen for me, every time. His voice makes me feel haunted but at peace. My favorite songs are: Son of Sam Somebody That I Used to Know Junk Bond Trader Everything Means Nothing to Me L.A. The Lost and Found Stupidity Tries Color Bars

Aangename stem, mooie composities. Maakt benieuwd naar zijn andere albums!

Smith’s are beautifully written and the tone of his vocals and maturity of his compositions are a mark of his brilliance.

All of his albums were great. There was a time in college when he was all i listened to.

This is probably the Elliott Smith album I'm least familiar with, but it doesn't make it any less amazing. Like his other efforts that I am more familiar with, it's filled with pretty yet sad lyrics accompanied mostly by an acoustic guitar (though there are quite a few more instruments on this album than my more favorite of his offerings.) Going to make sure I listen to this one more often.

4.5

Amazing album from an amazing artist.

An absolutely beautiful album from the singer songwriter. While some people may prefer the more acoustic driven work, this album is a sonic masterpiece from start to finish. The production is top notch and I would dare to put this up next a Beatles album. With the starting track “son of Sam” to Happiness is a gandola man, each track offers something special and tragic at the same time.

awesome

fucking incredible

Right up my alley - sad but upbeat sounding songs - would probably give like a 4.6 but we round up!

Outstanding mood album. Nick Drake? The Shins? Beautiful sound. Will definitely help you figure some things out while questioning others.

I dont have many words to describe this album as a whole but one thing I can say is that the song Bye is one of the most perfect songs I have ever heard in my life. Loved the album. I was glued to the lyrics page during the entirety of it. Fun note is how he in the beginning parts of the album goes into the concept of artists and labels being "safe" and profit-motivated as opposed to prioritizing art and creativity. Side-note, apparently there are two bonus songs on the japanese release version of the album of which the song Figure 8 is among them, I recommend listening to it, its also really good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5iu4vURDWI Fuck man... Bye is so beautiful.

A wonderful album ! A great lost !

Paints a picture of a world where I want to stay in for a while.

Right up my alley, super easy to listen to.

I have such a history with this album. Its beautiful. Elliott Smith is one of the best songwriters and guitar players I think any of us will ever see. Rest in power.

Such sadness

Very good album. Always worth throwing on one of his and was glad to see this one in the mix here

Un cinco bajo.

Here's another apparently very popular musician I'd never listened to. Expectations were neutral going in. I was not at all prepared for how good this album is. Every single track is just straight-up quality. I love the voice, I love the song-writing, I don't love the style per se but I do love the execution of it. Definitely planning to re-listen this one and check out the rest of his music too.

wonderful!

I was expecting this one to be quite depressing, glad it wasn't. Beautiful, moving music. Elliott Smith was quite a talent.

This is a great album. I was a big Elliott Smith fan growing up and still listen to him every so often. He was such a gifted songwriter and this album has a ton of incredible songs on it. I've got to give it 5/5 just for the songwriting and my nostalgia for it. Standout Tracks: Son of Sam, Somebody That I Used to Know, Everything Reminds Me of Her, Everything Means Nothing to Me, L.A., In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost, Stupidity Tries, Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?, Color Bars, Happiness/The Gondola Man, I Better Be Quiet Now

This album is legendary. To preface this, I listened to Elliott Smith’s albums last March (non-posthumous) and everything changed for me. I covered “Say Yes” from Either/Or on my YouTube and then kind of fell out of Elliott Smith. I realized his songs kinda weren’t for me because most of them were about topics I thought were taboo and didn’t wanna talk about. A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends (mind you, we’re both high school kids now) asked me for a 90s recommendation. I showed her Elliott Smith and gave her Either/Or, and I listened to it again for the first time in almost a year. It felt nostalgic and vulnerable. I loved it so much that I decided to cover “Rose Parade”. Well, that cover was literally the day before this one, and I got Figure 8 today. I was so happy and I realized how Elliott Smith is a master craftsman of what he does. This is my favorite Elliott Smith album for a reason, and that reason is because it’s so cohesive. It’s the full amalgamation that is Smith’s sound. 5/5 Favorite Track: “Color Bars”, “L.A.”, “Pretty Mary Kay” Least Fav: I have none

Muss man in Ruhe hören. Klasse! Für mich eine hörenswerte Neuentdeckung!

Loved it. A lot of my friends really enjoy Elliott Smith and I totally understand why. Fantastic lyricist with good melodies to boot.

Reminiscent of Beatles; good listening, the instrumentals are good but don't drown the lyrics. Many song with only guitar accompaniment. Good voice quality; lyrics can be understood. Must be about 15 songs on this album.

Just fantastic!

Un cinco bajo.

Elliott Smith doesn’t have to be musically depressing. Amazing work on this album.

A trip through 1001 albums with listening notes is nothing short of personal, and I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a five-star album in my catalogue, if not the very best of Elliott's releases. I've spun this more times than I can remember and I'm still gobsmacked by his impressive grasp of the most basic building blocks of pop music - the marriage of melody and harmony. He gets compared to the Beatles rightfully in this sense - but his unique vocal and undeniably sad story help set him apart as an artist that still seems singular to me, even 20 years on from his death. It could be my age and genre comfort speaking, but an album like Either/Or or Figure 8 feel to me pretty timeless - not a lot of era signposts giving away their age, and good melody never goes out of style. It gives the music grace and appeal. I'm constantly trying to emulate his economy of writing in my own songwriting attempts, and I'm still blown away that "Somebody That I Used To Know" gets in, roves through some supremely charming motifs, breaks your heart, and gets out in just over two minutes. A less-wise songwriter would be trying to get more mileage out of such tightly-crafted chord changes. "Stupidity Tries" remains one of my favorite Elliott Smith tracks, and "Son Of Sam" may well have been the first of his songs I ever heard - I even recall seeing a Figure 8 sticker on a lamppost on campus. Having watched replays of his short-lived show, it's apparent that Jon Brion must have been listening to Elliott demo "Everything Means Nothing To Me" when describing his utter bewilderment at the beauty of his songs in the Elliott doc Heaven Adores You. Only something so intricate and baroque could have so impressed a classically-hardened virtuoso.

Okay, I'm converted. Elliott Smith was a great composer and I honestly like his music. Really good album, bit more polished and optimistic (at least instrumentally) than the few records before. Easy 5 out of 5.

I bought this album when it came out. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to it all the way through, though. So that was nice. Some beautiful music on here and it’s such a shame he’s gone.

It’s absolutely shocking that I wasn’t obsessed with Elliot Smith when I was in college. 4.5/5

My favorite Elliott Smith album and one of my favorite albums of all time. Beautiful, heartbreaking, masterpiece of chamber pop.

Never really listened to Elliott Smith but wow. I missed out. Really great album.

BIG FAN!!! Listened to it twice yesterday and really enjoyed the first half. Not nearly as slow & depressing as I thought he’d be haha. I’ll def be listening to more.

I've been getting banger after banger so far dang!! I'm already an Elliot Smith fan, this was great, thumbs up

Wahnsinnig schön, vielseitig, melancholisch

I can tell I'll be coming back to this and will probably like it even more on subsequent listens. A great somber album.

Good stuff, nice to listen to

Something about this album was just... right. It's just such a good listen.

I love Elliott Smith although consider XO and Either/Or his best albums, so thought I'd be giving this 4. Listening with a fresh opinion was a joy though, I always enjoy his vocals and the guy's ear for a melody is just unrivalled. The guitar work is subtle but beautiful and each track I found myself thinking "Oh yeah this one is great too!". Guess I'll have to give those other albums 6 out of 5 when I come to them.

Great record, great artist.

This is actually my favorite album of his! I came to the Elliott Smith game a little late, so the full production and full band sound did not come as a surprise. In fact, I think I prefer it. Either way, he was a great songwriter. This album is full of amazing songs

December 2, 2023 Evergreen

This album sounds timeless to me. There’s influences from different decades, some of it sounds a bit 70s. Elliot Smith is an amazing songwriter who used interesting chords and harmonies. The lyrics are heartbreaking but the production is warm and satisfying. What an amazing underrated album, and reminder of what a huge loss it was to music when he died.

I'm still finishing up Cosmo's Factory as I write this. I'm about to dive into Figure 8, but I am writing this and giving it 5 stars before I even start. Curious to see how I feel about the rating in the near future.

Happy Elliot smith, still great tho

Incredible

Wow. What a great album. This one gives off a similar feel to Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake, another album that I listened to recently for this project. Honestly, I think I like this one a bit more. The sound of the songs themselves is great, with the singing and instruments complimenting each other quite well. The instruments in particular really stuck out to me as giving off the perfect type of sound for an album like this. What really elevates this album is the writing. This whole album is very self-reflective and very personal, which gives the lyrics a whole new level of gravity to what's being sung. This is just another expertly crafted album by another tragic artist that absolutely deserves to be on this list. 5/5.

10/10

Really good

Somebody That I Used To Know, LA, Better Be Quiet Now

GOAT

After only hearing the songs Speed Trials and Between the Bars by Elliott Smith, I expected a peaceful listen. But actually it was very energetic at some points, the sound of this album is very varied, and Elliott expresses himself in a very unique way. Every song is good and worth checking out, so you need to listen to this I guess…

One of my favorites

Yeah, this is right up my alley. It's a near perfect album.

musical excellence

Deeply moving. I really enjoy the writing.

Really enjoyed this. It's relatively upbeat for Elliott Smith (though I also like the downbeat stuff), and I liked the arrangements.

Elliott Smith's "Figure 8" is a masterpiece that beautifully encapsulates the enigmatic and deeply introspective nature of his songwriting. Released in 2000, it marked a significant point in Smith's career as it bridged the gap between his lo-fi acoustic beginnings and a more polished, orchestral sound. The album, tragically his last studio release before his untimely death, stands as a testament to his musical genius and lyrical prowess. From the moment you press play, "Figure 8" takes you on an emotional journey. The opening track, "Son of Sam," with its catchy melody and haunting lyrics, immediately draws you into Smith's world. His delicate, hushed vocals create an intimate atmosphere that invites listeners to lean in and listen closely. One of the album's strengths is its ability to blend melancholy and beauty seamlessly. Tracks like "Everything Reminds Me of Her" and "Somebody That I Used to Know" showcase Smith's ability to craft heart-wrenching yet achingly beautiful ballads. His intricate guitar work and layered arrangements add depth to each song, making them feel like musical tapestries. "Figure 8" also experiments with a more expansive sound. Songs like "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)" and "Stupidity Tries" incorporate lush instrumentation, including horns and strings, providing a rich contrast to Smith's more stripped-down acoustic tracks. This dynamic range demonstrates his versatility as a musician and arranger. Lyrically, Elliott Smith was a poet of the human condition. His words often explore themes of love, addiction, loneliness, and self-doubt. "Everything Means Nothing to Me" and "Easy Way Out" are prime examples of his ability to convey complex emotions with a simplicity that resonates deeply with the listener. One of the standout tracks on the album is "Happiness." It's a poignant exploration of the elusive nature of happiness, and Smith's haunting delivery makes it a gut-wrenching experience. The chorus, "The more you try to erase me, the more, the more, the more that I appear," is a haunting reminder of his enduring legacy in the world of music. While "Figure 8" is a remarkable album, it's not without its darker moments. The haunting "A Fond Farewell" and "Can't Make a Sound" reveal Smith's inner turmoil and inner battles, making it clear that his personal demons were an inextricable part of his artistry. In retrospect, "Figure 8" stands as a bittersweet masterpiece, an album that showcases Elliott Smith's undeniable talent and poetic brilliance. Its complex mix of emotions, captivating melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics make it an essential addition to any music collection. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Smith's work, "Figure 8" is an album that continues to resonate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the indie folk and alternative rock landscape. It's a timeless gem that serves as a lasting testament to the enduring power of Elliott Smith's music.

I have already listened so many times...

I'd heard of Smith before, but this was my first time actually listening to him. This album feels like something I would have obsessed over had I heard it in my teen years. Real good sound, makes me a little sad, I love it.

Love him

“everything reminds me of her” takes me back to after me and girlfriend broke up and i played it on repeat :,) amazing album tho, i fucking love elliott smith

I really enjoyed this.Indie music I actually like.The instrumentation is varied and catchy and his voice is beautiful.Songs are concise with melancholy lyrics and catchy choruses.I’ll try to relisten to this albumReally good.Like a 4.6

I am thoroughly impressed. This is a very diverse and fun album, what the white album should have been. The Beatles influence is felt there. Some gorgeous piano pieces like Everything Means Nothing to Me, or unconventional melodies for pop-ish music like Color Bars, my fav track. Will definitely listen to again! 5/5

Haunting sadness, as expected. A more mature album compared to the previous. XO is still my favourite

Fuck I love this album

Someone gave Elliott a budget! I was afraid higher production values would detract from Smith's tender, heartfelt songwriting, but it works. Miss you dude.

All time great

прекрасно и невероятно красиво альбом забрал меня

I find it hard to pick favourite tracks of an album I've listened to many times for many years. I guess this album carries more weight being his last. Anyway, all that to say, this is a great album :)

Cult classic

10/10

My favorite Elliott Smith album. The electric guitar seems normal when listening to the album alone. But when listening to his catalogue, it seems aggressive and mad.

This was excellent, I am fast becoming an Elliott Smith fan

A freaking masterpiece! Elliot’s voice holds so much emotion. 10/10 perfect alt-rock somber, melancholic melodies. Favorite Songs: Somebody That I Used to Know, Junk Bond Trader, In the Lost & Found, Easy Way Out, Stupidity Tries, and Colorbars.

I love Elliott Smith, but I was kind of dreading this one and had to get it out of the way before it could make me melancholy for the rest of the day. He had a true gift for changing the mood of everything else happening with a few simple lines.

I’m a sucker for wistful indie singer songwriter stuff like this and this album really hit that sweet spot. I really liked son of Sam and lost and found but all of the tracks were pretty much good. Reminded me of badly drawn boy

- Heard this before many times - Elliott Smith is one of my favourite artists of all time and even though I think this is probably his 3rd best, it's still 5* - Hard to narrow down what my favourite songs on this actually are - Fav songs: Son of Sam, Happiness/The Gondola Man, Everything Means Nothing to Me

Really beautiful

I always feel like he was the heir to Nick Drake, and Smith’s work should appeal to most fans of Nick. Such a great album.

Getting a lot of the last studio album of an artist who died tragically early lately. I had never given Figure 8 a proper listen til today. The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel and Elvis Costello/Marshall Crenshaw influences are really apparent here. Loved the strings throughout, which I dont know that Ive noticed on earlier albums? I feel like the Shins took Smith's sound and ran with it. Man knows how to make chord changes stir distinctive and different emotions, the melancholy indie darling. Perfect record for a road trip. Can't think of anything that takes away from it. 5

Te amo, Elliott. Héroe de todos los hombres tristes, conquistador de la voz y la palabra. Humano, antes que nada, y por tanto tembloroso. Tus canciones son sobre todo incertidumbre; así como también, el triunfo del espíritu. Frágil evidencia, como tu vida y la nuestra, de que luego de atravesar la injusticia y el dolor, nos espera aquello que deseamos.

I wasn't expecting to like this better than Either Or. Not as consistent or emotionally dramatic, but so much more colorful and diverse, with strong art pop, psychedelia, and classical influences on his usual indie folk and power pop style. I can hear John Cale and the Beatles in both his vocals and instrumentation in many tracks. Tons of amazing memorable tracks. I fell in love with nearly every song in the first half. Mellows down from there but still enjoyed every song.

Classic

Call me easily impressed by the concrete. Smith's arrangements root the songs on this final project while their cores float uneasy in dreamland. Melancholy's expected with this artist, I guess, but even then the album hits and hits with only a little tapering. Peak Elliott Smith? The familiar seem to differ on that point, but from here the answer seems, unfortunately, to be yes.

Cuando descubría a Elliott Smith hacía muy poco tiempo que había desaparecido. Fue con la app de música Pandora (que ya no está disponible en España desde hace mucho tiempo) que funcionaba muy bien y supongo que lo seguirá haciendo. La cuestión es que este cantautor tenía ya unos cuantos discos publicados y descubrir esa voz que se duplica y solo quieres escuchar más. Tiene otro par de discos de 5 estrellas. "Son of Sam", "Somebody that I used to know", "Everything reminds me of her", "L.A.", "Easy way out" o "Color bars". Imprescindible y gran pérdida.

Phenomenal album

“Elliott Smith could make Abbey Road but The Beatles could never make Figure 8” Perfectly packaged emotion and tight songwriting. Powerful stuff, very moving! Faves: Better Be Quiet Now, Can’t Make A Sound, Stupidity Tries, Bye, Son Of Sam, Somebody That I Used To Know, Easy Way Out

Very “emo” lyrics, with beautiful music and Elliott’s haunting vocals. Loved this. Saved tracks: Junk Bond Trader, Everything Means Nothing To Me, In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach) / The Roost, Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud

Subtle but forward in a way his previous work just wasn’t. Smith uses far more sound and madness to cut through his messages. Lacking the acoustic twee of other efforts but still so poignant and in the exact right place the listener wants to be. That being the place Smith means them to be.

Top talent, too songs.

One of my favorite albums of all time!

Stunning

Rock inglês pra passar o tempo

richest 1

😍

Perfect album. Great production after many plain ES albums. If you really wanna hate yourself just listen to this.

The overall appeal here is that this piece comes across as bittersweet and delightfully gentle in places. Very good late night music.

Elliott Smith is the best! I'm and XO fan but this is also great.

i'll probably never get tired of this record

cool kinda sad though very nice

Classic.

Beautiful melodies and emotional and touching lyrics. The whole album felt like it was getting sadder and sadder with each track.

Excellent, I loved it.

Perfect album. I still miss Elliott Smith

Malinconia. Testi cupi ma che con un sottofondo di speranza. Profondi. Belle chitarre, begli incastri con gli altri strumenti. Molto orchestrale, tutto fila. Molto Beatles.

Beautiful Arrangements and Meaningful Lyrics, 5/5 Highlight- "Everything Means Nothing To Me"

A memorable album, beautifully constructed, charmingly delivered and haunted of course by its author’s tragic passing. An ironically more upbeat record than we’re used to from Elliott Smith and with a variety in tone and style. A pretty classic album.

The first notes are so melancholy and moving. A worthy start for one of the most talented American performers, taken from us way too soon and so tragically (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/mar/19/popandrock.elliottsmith). I'm trying to remember which ex-girlfriend it was that introduced me to Elliott Smith. Might have been Sasha or maybe Erica. Probably it was Jen. But it was a long time ago, and the love affair with this music went on far longer than the relationship with her ever did (somebody that I used to know). Individually through the magic of Napster, I have quite a few of the individual tracks if Figure 8 in my collection, but there are unheard tracks here. Junk Bond. This is new to me and it swings. Guitars like church gongs in the first stanza. Easy Way Out = 💔. Damn. It's very hard not to like an Elliot Smith album. I've never heard anyone say oh I hate Elliot Smith. I think that's because you have to love music to even get introduced to Elliot Smith. And since anyone who really loves music loves Elliot Smith, no one really dislikes his music. A very quiet massive figure and this album is beautiful. Top notch. Bye.

Great album. Either/Or is his best, then maybe XO but they're all fives to me.

Elliott Smith was a phenomenal talent. But he was as phenomenal as his descent into mental illness, addiction, and paranoia was tragic. Thankful that his music lives on, at least, and that he continues to inspire a new generation of artists.

I am left a bit speechless. This is an excellent offering from Elliott Smith. Yet another album where a renaissance man composes and played almost all the instruments plus vocals. The one thing I know I like are his doubled up vocal tracks. Having his own voice more than once provides a comforting quality to the album. There isn’t a bad song on here. Truly a revelation.

Somebody that i used to know é boa. Everything Reminds Me of Her também. Everything Means Nothing to Me tem uma repetição. Riff do começo de In The Lost And Found é ótimo

just seeing the album cover has the opening bars looping in my head. i was decades late to elliott smith, but his few albums get regular play. i first heard elliott smith the same day i heard mars volta, and it wasn't till a bit later i was able to find these artists again

Utrop elliott

There's something touching about the way each song is so carefully composed. Unlike with most 'singer-songwriter' songs in which the accompaniment (be it by a full band, guitar or a piano) tends to provide only the bare-minimum harmonic structure statically, in Elliott Smith's songs the accompaniment is melodic (rather than simply being chordal) and mobile, providing counter-melodies to the vocal melody. It owes a lot to his guitar playing style which mixes picking and strumming and thus emphasizes the bass line melody (e.g. Somebody That I Used To Know, Easy Way Out, Better Be Quiet Now). But you can hear the same fondness for countermelodies in other parts of the songs too: the very brief backing vocal part during the first chorus of Can't Make A Sound, for instance, or the strings (or the synth or Mellotron?) that play during the chorus in the latter half of Everything Means Nothing To Me. He's like The Beatles, not just because of his knack for beautiful and memorable melody or sophisticated harmony, which this album displays in abundance, but because of his willingness / desire to infuse each song with as many musical ideas as possible. One small caveat is the drums sound a bit too perfunctory and by the numbers compared to other elements of the songs, but it doesn't really matter when the composition is this good throughout.

All the cute emojis girls in high school loved Elliott Smith and so I did too.

An excellent record of a troubled life.

5 stars

Un cinco bajo.

Everything means nothing to me

Parfait (ou presque) Prefs: Son of Sam, Somebody That I Used To Know, Junk Bond Trailer, Everything Means Nothing To Me, L.A., In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost, Stupidity Tries, Easy Way Out, Color Bars, Happiness/The Gondola Man, I Better Be Quiet Now, Can't Make a Sound Moins pref: Everything Reminds Me of Her

One of the best albums I've heard in a little while, as I go on with this challenge. It was so damn good. Everything about it was so good. My favourite song has to be L.A

guitar-y pretty vocals easy alternative sad boy but not too sad, crowd pleaser in the lab

So sad and so lovely.

I cannot believe I never listened to this album before.

Liked this album a lot. Elliot has a greet voice and the music flowed well

Rating this before the album has even finished... This is a 5/5 Great album, loving it.

Elliott Smith with a backing band has a very Beatles-esque sound. The song writing is great, the musicianship and instrumentation is great, and the production is perfect. Instant classic

How have I not heard his before! This is why I do this list..

Perfection - one of my favourite albums ever

Solid the whole way through. I can’t believe I haven’t listened to this in so many years

My fave.

Absolutely one of my favorite albums of all-time.

A brilliant album. Loved it for many years. A stunning songwriter.

Very good. Listened twice and added to favourites

Thought this was just great. Even paced and interesting.

only listened to the first 2 songs but it sounded good

Masterpiece.

Mil estrellas de mil.

Este lo conocí en la carrera, solía trabajar con el en esas noches interminables de Maya o After Effects, me gusta mucho

Un cinco bajo.

Ya lo escuché

Je suis sur le cul. Tellement bon et je ne connaissais pas . Wow je recoute l’album et la discography. 5

Impossible to listen to this without thinking about what could have been. It sounds just like the sort of transition album a lot of artists put out when they are shifting from one style to something decidedly different. He’s clearly feeling out the resources that are newly available to him after the success of XO. A lot of it comes off as cautious and hesitant, though there are several places where he seems finally able to lose himself in the music. RIP

Smith does depressing indie better than anyone but this record isn't his standout work

I love this guy

(Decent to Strong 7/10) It's one that's going to have to sit with me more and grow as I offer it repeated listens, but for now it's a very nice indie rock and pop experience that for an Elliott Smith album, is very upbeat comparitively. Hearing him get kind of funky on "L.A." was certainly interesting haha.

shoutout byron bernstein

Some of these are for sure going on my liked songs!

Super

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Son Of Sam, Somebody That I Used To Know There's a lot of sadness and pain on this album. Sucks that he's no longer on this earth. I think I liked this album a bit more than Either Or. Seems like there's more variety on the tracks.

Beautiful album

4.2/5

very good

Can't explain why, this album didn't grab me at first but I find these songs surprisingly relistenable, revealing more about themselves every time. Faves: Son Of Sam, Junk Bond Trader, L.A., Stupidity Tries, Easy Way Out

“NOW” Must artists be tortured souls in order to produce greatness? ~Just some dude with a stilted attitude that I learned from TV

everyone i know who listens to elliott smith has pretty great taste. i can't lie this is just what all modern day singer songwriters need to look up to

Pretty pleasant, as albums on this list go

this album so good it makes me question if mama would be proud

i should record like this again

Really beautiful songs on here, some great acoustic guitar too

Figura maldita, muerte prematura, existencia torturada... todo esto ya lo vimos antes. Tiene talento, compone bien, sensible y transmite. No es precsiamente un refetente en estilo o belleza. No es Evan Dando ni Jeff Buckley. Aquí está especialmente inspirado y tuvo buenas críticas. Stupidity tires o LA me gustan mucho. Junk bond tradee también. Después de Either or (su obra maestra) y del éxito de XO, Elliot volvió a su tono intimista y delicado con Figue of 8 (la portada es icónica, el mural ahí sigue en LA). El Nick Drake de principios de siglo?

Ah this takes me back. As my angst levels have receded so has my Elliott Smith play time. Which is a shame. I can’t really separate the last three albums of his life (or the posthumous From a Basement…) but they’re all still really good. Whilst there’s a degree of sad boy with a guitar, there’s actually a lot of ambition and dynamism to these recordings, and he undoubtedly was a big influence on the next decade of indie music

Nice & chill.

This is the version of Elliott Smith I’ve always preferred.

Not as sad as I thought it would be. Some kind of indie, I guess?

Excellent album with some great arrangements. Definitely a Beatles and Beach Boys feel in the production on some of the . Sad that he was so troubled and was taken at such a young age. 4

If this is the only ES album on this list then they goofed. If there must be one, Either/Or is the one. What a sad and mysterious and abrupt and to a brilliant creative life. And will never know if he committed suicide or if he was murdered. Both seem highly implausible.

8/10 As far as Elliott Smith albums go it’s definitely not my favourite, but some really strong tracks on here as usual: Favourites: Son of Sam Everything Reminds Me of Her Everything Means Nothing To Me LA ⭐️ Better Be Quiet Now

Pretty good guitar-pop with keen production sheen. I prefer Elliot’s earlier acoustic/ indie folk stylings, though. (Is that cliche to say? Well, sometimes cliches are there for a reason!!!) 4.3 stars

friggin yes boi 4 1/2

hm huuuere schöni churzi songs. everything means nothing hani glaub kennt vo irgendwo?? fun. ich lieb easy way out meeega wie cooli chords und melodie und woooow.

FREU MIICH ohh es isch sehr vill rockiger als ich denkt han everything reminds me of her isch nüt megaa speziells aber sehr herzig er het eifach au so e warmi, herzigi stimm OHH everything means nothing to me isch megaa cool d drums sind megaa cool ok han chli abgschalte, finds immerno easy schön aber jooo ich weiiiiss nöd, es bizeli enttüscht bini und finds album z lang. also es sind mega schöni lieder aber iwie 40 min hetted au glanget he chum ich hanen gern

'I may talk in my sleep tonight / 'Cause I don't know what I am.' Simplified & energized by punk curtness, Elliott Smith is our best acoustic average - giving us much by way of little, poetry by way of brief hits of sincerity, he is, at his most impressive, tho not one of one, perhaps one of four or five, i.e., not totally but certainly unique. 'The spin of the earth impaled a silhouette / Of the sun on the steeple.' That he's S-A-D seems obvious enuf, but like his precursor Nick Drake, there's a sense of life & of exuberance, especially w/ Smith's power- & pop-driven guitar playing. +, the show-tune piano is a giddy touch ('In the Lost and Found'). It's the voice, however, that's both a weak link & an inevitability - a bit annoying, but necessary, but unavoidable.

I'm glad I read the blurb for this before listening because I think I would've been disappointed if I went in expecting a sad boy folk album. This is actually really varied and upbeat generally and it mostly works for me, much more so than the other Elliott Smith we did. Still some duds, like the honky tonk song, but I think I get it more now.

Rly liked, added a few to my playlists

Solid but not Elliott at his best. Feels to me like it trails off as it goes along, or at least I get a little less interested than I was at the start.

Really nice. Vibrant headphone space. Luscious arrangements. Not sure if this is Duncan Sheik doing a Garth Brooks incognito Chris Gaines act.

I like Elliot Smith, and have since I first heard him on the soundtrack to Good Will Hunting in the late 90s. In fact, I listened to a couple of his albums back to back a couple months ago (Either/Or and XO). I'm completely befuddled as to why I haven't listened to this album, and my surprise this album appears on the 1,001 list is equal to my previous befuddlement. I'm glad it's here, but I definitely wouldn't have guessed it would be. On to the music! This is very much within his style, but obviously stepping up the instrumentation and production game. Listening to him fully fleshed out is a real pleasure. Since I'm used to listened to the more stripped down Smith, this is novel and quite enjoyable. The strings in the background (for example) help with setting the melancholy feeling, and suck me further into the moody world he creates. I can't help but feel a quiet appreciation for sad feelings and hard times. Light creates shadow, and shadow provides all the texture of life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.49999

Delicate melodies, brutal sadness, great songs. This one is a bit long, but I still love listening to Elliott.

I’m a somewhat recent convert! I’ve been listening to him more since an interview with… Sophie thatcher from Yellowjackets about one of his songs on song exploder (key change). And saw Mae perform at least one of his songs. His voice is hypnotizing. No skips. I think I may love his other albums a bit more, but I’ll be relistening. This album came out on New Year’s Day 2000, which is wild because I remember ringing in that new year; journaling, watching waiting for tonight by Jennifer Lopez at Times Square (?)… probably having mini hotdogs and watching Twister, who knows. Meanwhile this melancholy boy was out there and I had no idea

I had never given Mr. Smith a complete listen-through, and this afforded me the time and opportunity to fully appreciate his musicality and musicianship. Excellent album.

Pleasant melodies, harmonies and tasty instrumental accompaniments. The sadness and melancholy get lost in the pleasant music. That's not a bad thing.

Chamber pop with songs more fleshed out than the previous record on the list, Either/Or. Smith's style is intricate and complex melodies with multitracked vocals. The vocals are mixed higher this time, and it's more of a band feel with proper bass and drums, and varied instruments beyond just piano, guitar, and vocals. Reminds me a bit of Aimee Mann and Michael Penn only a little less quirky.

Gorgeous. Wondered why I had never heard of him. Googled him. 😢.

Pretty interesting chord progressions going on here. I can see this record growing on me a lot in the future.

Wow -- I somehow missed out on this gem back in 2000... But wow -- this is a really strong album. It's hard to pick favorites, but Wouldn't Mama Be Proud has been running through my head. I can hear this album's influence on upcoming favorite artists of mine like The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie and Ben Folds. When an artist like Elliott Smith passes away at a young age, they remain forever frozen at their peak... along with a tragic sense of what more they could have accomplished. He was definitely on an upward trajectory with this album.

The final album before his tragic passing, Figure 8 is grand, bright, yet also thoughtful. All the different ideas here lyrically and production-wise create a powerful release in every way. I immediately fell in love with this one. Looking forward to hearing more of Elliott’s work, even if I know that this has a different tone to much of his previous music. Pushing a 5. 2 listens Favorite Track: Can’t Make A Sound, Son Of Sam, Junk Bond Trader, In The Lost And Found, L.A., Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud

Beetles vibes. Easy listening

I’ve always meant to engage with Elliott Smith but missed out during my prime angsty teenage years, preferring to question my place in the world through Meteora and Hybrid Theory (Linkin Park). I really liked the sounds on this album. The contrast between the heavy lead and the jangly rhythm guitars on L.A. Smith’s vocal melodies shift pleasantly from haunting to beautiful in a way that the guitar or piano always complement well. I’d be curious to know how exotic his chord arrangements are, but I’m not a music theorist like that. It’s kind of mental this came out in 2000, was long before the Indie Wave fully crested. The influence of this album is sonically clear on Death Cab for Cutie, the Shins, and myriad other imitators. Loses a point because I’m not sure how much I’ll come back to listen to this but otherwise max points for the artistry.

only listened to either/or before. Really enjoyed!

Never heard this one somehow despite loving either or, definitely his heaviest musically though this doesn’t say much. Such a good songwriter, the definition of bittersweet, This album being no exception

Really solid album, lush arrangements and enough good songs to carry someone slower patches. It maybe doesn’t have a real stand out track that reaches the heights of Waltz #2 but there are no real low spots, even the less favoured tracks have a quality to them. 4.2

davidbowie-esque, love, sad, melancholic, really catches you, creates feeling

It was OK. It was all pretty good 👍, but some of it was eye-rottingly boring 😱😴. Overall, I would give it a 3.6/5!

I'm very close to giving this a 5-star, which is why I wish these reviews were out of 10 or I was allowed a half star, so this is probably a 4.5 star album for me. This is mainly due to the tracks in the middle that didn't stick out to me. Nothing was bad or loathsome, just not impressionable (I'd say track 4-6 run, but maybe that can be blamed on my mind drifting). My pre-conceived notions were gladly incorrect. While at times the song could be slow, they never felt like a drag. Great music to just have on to have music in the background of your daily doings. "Son Of Sam" was a great opener followed by "Somebody That I Used To Know," which can understandably be found on many playlists nowadays. The grooves were unexpectedly present on this album, most notably for me on "In The Lost And Found..." "Happiness/The Gondola Man" and "Better Be Quiet Now." My top tracks had to include "Pretty Mary Kay" where I found Elliott to be the most present in his voice in lyrics. However, the top song is "Can't Make A Sound" which used every inch of the 4 minutes it had. I always love songs that start quiet and then explode. This song almost made me give this album 5 stars, if only the album was a tad shorter (or my attention span could stretch a tad longer). "Bye" was an excellent closure and I'm always a fan and voucher for albums to include more instrumental tracks (WHEN USED WISELY) because they can end up being standouts, as seen on here.

Pretty beautiful. A lot more produced than I expected it to be, certainly not just straight ahead singer-songwriter stuff. Still, it's wonderful. Smith's voice can definitely get old after a while, but it's pretty great top to bottom.

This record was my introduction to Elliot Smith - I bought it on the back of the single Son of Sam back in 2000 and fell immediately under its spell. It remains a great album, as do all of his records, but they're all tinged with a genuine sadness, given what happened. For this reason, I don't listen to him as much as I probably should.

Great album full of melancholy and feeling. L.A. was my fav song and first listen of the album. Easy Way Out and Can't Make A Sound were my other highlights

Beautiful moving music.

Nice vibes

Good stuff

I liked it! I’m going to revisit him at some point

Quite pleasant to listen to. Some really lovely melodies in this album.

Honestly he’s pretty good

i get you phoebe bridgers

Not my favourite Elliott, but still damn good

Highlights: Son of Sam, Junk Bond Trader, Everything Means Nothing to Me, L.A, In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach) / The Roost, Stupidity Tries, Easy Way Out, Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud, Happiness / The Gondola Man, Can’t Make a Sound, Bye

Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? Unfamiliar How do I feel about this artist? I don’t know much about him Favorite song(s)? Son of Sam Overall Thoughts: Another complete unknown, but this one was a pleasant surprise. Kind of reminded me of Death Cab at times. Despite its at times upbeat tone, you can tell Elliot was really going through it. Sad that it was his last album. An artist I may revisit in the future.

AMO este album

Beautiful album, I need to listen to more Elliot Smith

This was much like the simon and garfunkel album, in that it was average for most of my first listen, but then by the end of the album and when it started over I just really got hooked some how. I really liked this album. 4.5

people calling this album boring are actually insane, this album has ear catching instrumentals and hooks and probably offers Smith’s cleanest production of his career. The only reason this album gets a 4 is because i know that Smith has better to offer.

I love Either/Or, so I was excited for this one. I will say that I didn’t enjoy it as much as Either/Or, but I also didn’t focus on it enough while I was listening to it, and I think I’ll relisten a couple times to help. I did like Son of Sam, Stupidity Tries, and others - just need to go back to really get familiar with the album.

I would have liked this in 2003 during my indie Shins era. Surprised I never heard it before.

8/10 bueno, pero nada especial. Canción destacada: Stupidity tries

Enjoyed

I’ve heard this one, a good one nonetheless!

I knew this album because of a House of Leaves video. Whatever scale/scales he uses are almost haunting and I love the sound. Favorites: Everything Means Nothing to Me (Already knew) Stupidity Tries Colorbars

good indie album

Elliott Smith’s ”Either/Or” album came up for me just two days later. What incredible progress this artist made! This album is the pure definition of nostalgia. I’d listen to it while smoking a cigarette out in a field, alongside Soundgarden and Nirvana. A solid piece of music. 8/10

All of ES discography is good, and this one has some bangers but honestly I'm not sure if it is a true 4?/? IDK man its a soft 4.

Really enjoyed it.

if i have to listen to white exuberance i can just go to arcade fire. if i wanna hear white agony i have sufjan. i'm coming around on it but. damn. unfortunately the second half rips. if bookends was a 4.1 this might be 3.9-4.2. can't believe someone outweezered Weezer. there will be more of his music if i were a betting woman.

C'est calme, le mec chante bien, joli style

Un bon album, le gars chante bien a des mélodies sympas toutes tristounes

ye

This is my second Elliot Smith album in 3 days. I enjoyed this. You can hear how much he has grown as an artist over the two albums. His music is still melancholic but the instrumentation is fuller.

Quite good....quite good indeed. Not my first listen of Elliott Smith, but my first listen of this album. I believe this was his last official release? I thought it was good, creatively poppy, folky guitar work, had a flow to it and every song kept me engaged and interested. Yet I was left with the realization that I was listening to the Deluxe Edition after I heard my favorite moment on the album- "Bye" into "Figure 8" Turns out "Bye" is the final track on the official release. Oh well.

I do like this album abit of a vibe , I am surprised I just heard of him via this

This one surprised me. I've never heard of him before and his music was really solid. Kind of like an updated Beatles sound with some more funky undertones. I actually think I'd come back and listen to him again. I think I might listen to his most popular songs and see if something jumps out at me. Solid 4, might have been a 5 if I gave it more time.

I really wanted to like this, but the more I listened the more it sounded the same. 3.5/5 for the emotion and use of unusual instruments for the time, but there's not much else there

weird but I kinda like it

Sad story about this guy

mmm yes

Really good actually. My personal favorite was "Wouldn't mama be proud" but there wasn't a track that I didn't enjoy to some degree. Definitely not a lot I'm going to listen to over and over again, but I enjoyed my time with this album and was happy to give it a go.

Liked it! A handful of songs I really didn’t care for, but what I liked I loved. Oddly enough the faster more upbeat songs were not my thing

I saw him on this tour and he was surprisingly great live. Compared to a couple of his other albums, there are a few tracks on here that don't totally grab me. Somebody That I Used to Know is a personal favorite of mine.

P 8

This album surprised me. I liked more songs than I thought I would. The deluxe version of this album not only had a Beatles cover, but also a Schoolhouse Rock cover. Wild. Overall, very sad and haunting vocals with soothing instrumentals.

lo ame, muy chill y muy nostálgico, me guarde un par, es un álbum muy reconfortante, gracias elliott smith, fuiste y serás grande.

I liked it more than the other Elliot Smith record I listened to

52# Love elliot smith and im excited to hear this

I didn't go in expecting to like this, especially hearing that he was Nick Drake adjacent who I think is just OK, but I ended up really enjoying it so that's a win I guess.

I've had several people recommend Elliot Smith to me, so I was expecting something great. I enjoyed this album overall - the instrumentation especially was beautiful. I wasn't the biggest fan of his voice but I do think it added to the mournful quality of the whole album

Only know a few songs by Elliot Smith from earlier. He has an easy recognizable voice, almost like there’s a filter put on it. To me it feels like it’s a bit limited in power and range. Still he has quite a few nice songs on this record. Best song: Son of Sam

Not something I would be able to listen to everyday, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Soft, vulnerable and unique

8/10 Best songs: Son of Sam, Junk Bond Trader, L.A., Can't Make a Sound I started getting into music right around the time of Elliot Smith's death, so I've always been aware of him but I never really dived into his oeuvre. Overall the album is a bit more rock than I was expecting, with some nice beats, but the emphasis is very clearly on his voice, lyrics, and guitar. There are absolute moments of genius on this album (the rising tension and climax of Can't Make a Sound are phenomenal, for instance), but some songs land a bit flat in comparison. Still, an excellent album, and one I see myself returning to in the future.

This is an Elliott Smith album, so the highs are goddamn high. 'Son of Sam' and 'L.A.' are both contenders for my favourite song of all time and there's many other wonderful moments. 'Happiness' and 'Can't Make a Sound' have an anthemic quality. 'Somebody that I Used To Know' and 'Everything Reminds Me of Her' could find a place in any coming of age film ever made. On 'Easy Way Out', the flow from verse -> prechorus -> chorus is so natural it's glorious. At this point of his career his songwriting has got so good, he's almost surpassed his own style. But, to be honest, the album suffers slightly for it. He's churning out songs and melodies which belong on tin pan alley, or in the great American songbook, but combined with the glitzy production it often feels disingenuous. It just doesn't really feel like an Elliott Smith album to me, which is why it is only four stars.

Decent 4,5

8/10

Better than Coldplay

A very good album that sees some interesting expansion of Smith’s sound, with this probably his most tuneful. Son of Sam and Junk Bond Trader are the highlights of a strong first half that combine his emotional style with a more lively sound, with some folkier numbers still present. It gets a bit weaker towards the end, but still an excellent listen.

Elliott Smith’s untimely death is tragic not least because one gets the sense that he had barely started. This album definitely represents a sonic progression from his earlier work, though that’s not to say it’s necessarily better than his previous albums (I remain agnostic on that question). The sound is fuller, the arrangements more intricate/lush, with a palpable Beatles influence. Many tracks (‘Son of Sam’, ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’, ‘L.A.’, etc.) are brilliant, and several more are only slightly below that standard. Even the more ‘filler’ type tracks are pretty good. A very strong 4 stars.

So pleased to have this thrown up. Despite being a big fan at the time, I barely ever listen to Elliott tracks really. I think it's because there's not an obvious "I should throw on some Elliott Smith" occasion. It's not driving music, it's not chores music, it's not "impress people at my dinner party" music. It IS bloody good though.

Listening session: march 16th, while commuting to internship Listened to before: listened many times to a few songs before Thoughts: I really like Elliott Smith’s music and I’ve never actually listened to this album in its entirety. While I still think I prefer Either/Or, this album has a lot of great tracks Favourite tracks: Somebody That I Used To Know, L.A. & Better Be Quiet Now

Great record, but not my first choice when it comes to listening to Elliott Smith. That doesn't mean it's bad in any way.

Love me some Elliott Smith, but (limited "but") (a) I've never listened to a full album of his at one time and it's a bit much, and (b) not sure this is his best album. Easy Way Out is an all-time though - some of the meanest lyrics this side of Dylan at his nastiest.

Intressant! Lyssna mer, väldigt Beatleskt.