Figure 8

The whole album is excellent, but Son of Sam is so damn good. Probably one of my favorite songs from the 2000s. The album as a whole gets a 4.5/5.

Better than the last Elliott Smith album on this list. I find that is pleasant enough in that early 00's indie way.

I keep hearing Paul McCartney and Ben Folds Five. I don't think I'm supposed to.

Hey, this is the Somebody That I Used to Know guy... Uhhhh, wait.. I'm really digging the music on this. Pleasant vocals and we'll crafted music. It's more on the lighter, pop side, so not necessarily the style I love, but I'm not mad at it. Kind of has a Scott Weiland voice at times, and a slight Sean Lennon vibe. I'll give this a 4.

It was okay, kind of unremarkable kind of annoying

Nice voice, easy listening but not remotely memorable

that was boring 2/5

Elliott Smith one of the og alternative indie artists known for that whispery vocal style was easy enough to listen to and certainly had undeniable instrumental talent. He captured a very PDX 90’s melancholy mood, which is when and where I first heard him. But overall this album didn’t entirely connect for me - commercially, maybe it was more dialed in but I had enjoyed the more intimate content and style of some of earlier work. Still, a few tracks instantly transport me back to my 19 year old self riding through SW PDX in my friend’s orange VW bus, en route to the river, watching the landscape blur past the window. I can still see my reflection and those words etched on the side mirror: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”

Despite my college girlfriend being pretty into Elliot Smith, I never much listened to him. What I did hear kinda irked me due to constant overuse of this annoying chorus effect on his vocals. Nevertheless, I'm familiar with his work and impact just being a music fan who often drove by the Sound Solutions mural featured on the cover of this record regularly as a resident of LA. In a city that adopted him (and he it), he is broadly considered a music scene legend and regarded as a genius; evidenced in the aforementioned wall mural that has become a (semi) permanent tribute to him. I have at times wondered: would he still be so heralded had he not died so young? So this is probably the second or third time I've sit down to give this guy a listen all the way through a record, and not just hearing  "Say Yes" in a coffee shop, or else some echo in a memory of my days at university hearing his Kill Rock Stars stuff on my girlfriend's stereo in the other room. When this record picks up the pace, it really has a somewhat understated propulsive energy to it. Nevertheless, this record also often sounds so haunted. I can hear the ripple effect this must have had on chamber pop work made by artists like Sufjan Stevens. It pushes and pulls with tremendous extremes, swinging from the sunny joy of "LA" to the anachronistic and jaunty "In The Lost And Found" and then veers right into Pet Sounds territory with "Stupidity Tries." "Better Be Quiet Now" might as well be the non-diagetic music cue from an early 00s indie rom-com no one has ever seen. Closing out with "Bye" could be what you hear in the Overlook Hotel while talking with ghosts. Standouts: "Junk Bond Trader", "Everything Means Nothing To Me", "Can't Make A Sound." These are all super solid pieces that made it onto an annual faves list I keep. I guess better late than never. A lot of folks talk about Smith's music being super sad. I'm not hearing it in this record. That might be because the sad music I like is probably utterly devastating compared to the subtlety inherent in these recordings. And, after giving this a dedicated listen, I must say I think all that heralding was very well-earned. 

Very of-its-time early 2000s. Reminiscent of Ben Folds but not as interesting, the Shins but not as quirky, Jack Johnson but not as rich. I don't actively dislike it, but it's not what I'd choose to listen to. "Son of Sam" is the best track. "Pretty Mary Kay" wouldn't sound out of place on a Beatles album.

Meh

I like Phoebe Bridgers so I feel like I should like this, but I've never gotten the hype.

Didn’t know what to expect from Elliot smith but was pleasantly surprised by this it’s a bit badly drawn boy in a minimalist band I will listen to this again.

I listened to this again but it's one of my favourite albums anyway. Beautiful melancholy.

Lovely album

better than anticipated. the slow songs wore me down but the more uptempo stuff was pretty groovy

Bland, boring and banal. Ugh

Kept listening for that "standout track" that never came. Fine music but no wow for me.

gets better as it goes on

Idfk malko e stranen albuma, napomnq mi mnogo na Jeff buckley, no nqkoi pesni bqha straight out of jhariah Kitara = hubav album

Really fun album, loved the vocals, the playing and everything, definitely gonna revisit. Easy 5

Yawn

Not bad, like the rockier songs.

Son of Sam is a fantastic opener Lost and Found is heartbreaking Everything else is exceptionally good and is only not 5 ⭐️ because X/O and Either/Or are even better

not my type. at all.

To be honest, not very memorable. And he’s not doing much vocally. But understanding that he suffered from depression and died at age 34 from suicide, it hits slightly differently. At least arrangement and production are very good.

High 3, low-ish 4. First listen is tough for me when I only know one album by him and have listened to it alot. So it feels familiar but off form what I think about his music as. Still I enjoyed it and I trust on a relisten I’ll like it more as the lyrics stick more and more.

I really had a hard time listening to this entire album. this album, for me, just sounds so over-produced. every song is a series of slowed down chord progressions as he is VERY sad over all of them. its quite apparent that dude was really going through things, but i wasn't a huge fan of this sound.

Seems like an artist Matt Freer would be really into. I dug it as well. Gonna have to listen to more of his stuff

I was excited to get an Elliot Smith album because I absolutely love the Good Will Hunting soundtrack and he’s featured pretty heavily on it. The sound was exactly what I expected, as were the lyrics and storytelling, and I absolutely enjoyed it. Excellent music for a rainy fall day or just when you’re in your feels a little bit. Might have to listen to Either/Or next. Also a very strong possibility I’ll be watching Good Will Hunting in the next couple days.

I have never heard of Elliot Smith before this listen. It was a really pleasant album. Super easy to listen to. If I would have discovered him earlier I'm sure I would be a bigger fan. As of now, this is between a 3 and a 4 for me.

Definitely a different tone compared to the emo album, Either/Or, we had of Elliott on the list before. Still, I’m failing to find any particularly interesting tunes that stand out. And I just can’t seem to get on terms with Elliott’s voice. It’s just way too much of a teenage voice to me somehow, even though that might not be Elliott’s persona. I can definitely see that this album, and Elliott in particular, is a matter of taste. Unfortunately I don’t enjoy it, so going to have to be a strong 2 for me.

I’ve noted before that I never really got Elliot Smith. This was especially true with the last album we had which was “Either or”. I found that kind of boring. This album was a whole lot better. I enjoyed the fuller arrangement and the soft rock vibes. I get the feeling that if I found this album as a teen I would’ve loved it. A few songs I know from that time, and I still think “Everything Reminds Me of Her” is a good track. “Son of Sam” was a new one and memorable too. I genuinely enjoyed most of this album. It might be a bit on the soft side, and the vocal style is not for everyone. It feels like a good album to put on when driving. Strong 3 for now, maybe potential for more after some more listens.

What an amazing album. After researching more about Elliott the final prophetic song "Bye" made me tear up. Had to stop my work day just to focus on what was gracing my ears. Genuinely adored this bitter sweet labor of love. A sober and forlorn outlook on his life dominates this track list that reminds me of the equally as tragic Ian Curtis. Not a anytime listen due to its morose tone but definitely a beauty I will circle back to. Fly high king 🕊

The theme of sadness throughout this album was portrayed very well and not a single song sounded out of place. Therefore I enjoyed this album quite a lot because of its cohesive nature and interesting sounds.

Sweet, melancholic listen. This is definitely an album that will turn a moody day into an even more moody day. The songs I can say spoke to me the most are Everything Means Nothing To Me and Stupidity Tries. Other than that, I understand what Elliott Smith was going for, but I can't say I was surprised or blown away. This album was also a bit too soft for me, so I was definitely kinda bored throughout. The whole experience was about what I expected it to be, and I have to rate it about 3.3/5, as it was not bad by any means, just not really my cup of tea.

Not a fan. Vocals were bland and uninspired.

Similar to evermore and Let it Bleed, I don't hate any of the songs, but I don't particularly like any of them

A mopey classic.

Passively aware of Elliott Smith as his songs are featured in two of my favorite movies (Up in the Air and Good Will Hunting). This was my first album experience. The quality of the songwriting is remarkably consistent and unique to him. There’s a time and place for this, but it’s one I’ll revisit.

Was nice listening and good background music

I don't get Elliot Smith. The music is fine, but I don't see why it would be on this list. Every song is completely forgettable.

Low end of the 4 range.

It reminds me of Nick Drake if he made his musical journey during the 90s. I didn't love this majory happy go lucky style to a very sensitive person. While some songs were good, it felt forced and out of place. 5/10

Not for me mate. Sure it have it's value, but I had some problems to keep myself awake during this. 2 stars

I like this guy.

Iha törky hyvä levy, kuuntelin jo kolmesti. Menee listoille. Tosi… taitavaa musiikkii.

Buenas vibras chill. Me ha molado

Really liked a couple of songs, a bit slower than I was expecting. OK over all.

Elliott Smith is always being recommended to me and I never really feel here nor there about him. This album was fine, don’t know if I’d go out of my way but if it came on I’d probably feel neutral.

Listenable in the background

Too long

Solid Elliott Smith Album... Not my favorite but very good. Lots of Beatles influence.

Heard of him but never listened before. Good stuff.

I liked this album far more than I expected, it's a fun time, but still not epic proportions to me 3.5

Pretty decent. More alt folk than folky music wise but pretty good. Definitely see this in a rom com montage

I think there are better Smith albums but god damn. Still a banger.

I’m generally not a fan of this type of music, but I really really enjoyed this one

Beautiful and sad.

I liked this album, it was a little more upbeat than Either Or and had some interesting use of blending sounds. I also felt like it had a bit more edge which made it more interesting. 8/10

This is our second Elliot Smith record this month. I liked the last one. "Son of Sam" is a much more electric and big sounding song than any on his previous record. I like the piano backing. I've listened to the Gotye "Somebody I Used to Know" so much that my brain is filling parts of that song around Elliot's singing of the same phrase. Sorry Elliot, Gotye really stole this one. It's a nice song regardless. I like "Everything Means Nothing to Me". This was a different album to "Either/Or". I liked it a lot. It had a lot more instrumentation and was a lot livelier in a way that still felt true to his sound. It had a lot of intimate lyrics, but not in the overtly bleak way that "Either/Or" had. 8/10

Sorry for his passing, but this just didn't do it for me.

I'm really a big fan of Either/Or but not this.

Before today I was unfamiliar with Elliott Smith's music. Sure, I was vaguely familiar with the name, in the same way that one might be vaguely familiar with the name(s) Copernicus, or Magellan. That is to say, one might recognise the name and understand that the person bearing the name did something that was, to some degree, important or memorable. Paradoxically this album seems neither important or memorable. It is bland in a blandly bland sort of way. It was inoffensive and I didn't want to perforate my own eardrums at any point. The most memorable thing about Elliott Smith might be his "suicide" - allegedly stabbing himself in the chest. So THAT'S how I knew the name. 3 stars. I didn't hate it.

Enjoyable, but not my style

Delicate, haunting songs from a unique and beautiful soul. I keep coming back to this guy, and this album, ever since it came out and I first heard Happiness (the gondola man) on a compilation from a french music magazine. I did not notice it much at first, but that is what haunting is. A little melody, a feeling that never really goes away one it shows up. That's it. He came, sang his songs, showed us his heart so we could see ours and he never left, though his body is gone. Elliott Smith is a human gem.

But I looove Either/Or

this is an album I'd come back to

A Son Of Sam 5 Somebody That I Used To Know 4 Junk Bond Trader 4 Everything Reminds Me Of Her 5 Everything Means Nothing To Me 5 LA 4 In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach) 5 Stupidity Tries 5 Easy Way Out 4 Wouldn't Mama Be Proud? 4 Color Bars 4 Happiness 4 Pretty Mary K 5 I Better Be Quiet Now 4 Can't Make A Sound 5 Bye 3 I cannot begin to explain how long I've waited for this one. Ever since day 1 of this thing. I even restricted myself from re-listening to it for a while. It finally came. We got Either/Or and The Bends around the same time, so maybe Genny is starting to hear my prayers.

Not a fan of the wispy voice of Smith. Songs are okay, but this is over an hour long and it gets really monotonous after a while

Dang! This has some jams. Never saw that one coming.

It's like pop rock and folk rock shook hands and spit out Elliot Smith. Not bad.

Loved it! Sound mixing was clean and songs carried a lot of weight. Really enjoyed it and will listen to again.

Solid album by Elliot Smith. Either/Or is my personal favorite, but every time I listen to anything he's done I just wish he was still here and we had more of his storytelling to enjoy. Favorites from this one are Son Of Sam, Everything Mean Nothing To Me, L.A., Stupidity Tries, Wouldn't Mama Be Proud, and and Pretty Mary Kay.

5/5 Elliott is probably my favourite artist of all time and my favourite song writer for certain. He has been an integral part of my life since my introduction to him from my Dad. Figure 8 is a beautiful record through and through, with more piano led songs and baroque moments whilst still showcasing his incredible guitar work. It is much grander in production than any of his other, more DIY sounding, records which gives it a Beatles-esque feel. For Elliott to evolve so much over his discography and still have a flawless set of albums shows how good he truly was. Rest easy Elliott, XO Top 3 Songs: Happiness/The Gondola Man Everything Reminds Me Of Her Better Be Quiet Now

Never heard of him or his prior band. Enjoyed some of the songs. It was a little long but might be worth another listen sometime.

I've been a fan of many individual songs for some time ("Son of Sam" is probably my favorite Elliott Smith song). I really enjoyed the consistent "jangly" feeling this album has for me while still maintaining that intense melancholy I've always loved. It's the most intense (but not necessarily heavy) collection of his music I've heard so far. Favorite Track: Son of Sam 4.5/5, will re-listen.

Folk and rock, cool combo. Chill vibes 3

It’s like opening a handwritten letter and finding it’s mostly blank pages. The intention’s there, the ink is nice, but it doesn’t leave much behind. The songs are polished and tender, but I kept waiting for a little punch or tug, and it never really came. It’s OK, but doesn’t cut deep. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Son Of Sam - Somebody That I Used To Know - Everything Reminds Me Of Her

love the smooth calm vocals with a alive guitar

Not my favorite from Elliott Smith, a bit too over produced. But it still has that intimate feel that he does really well.

Bland

Classic

Troubled souls often produce amazing art and that is the case here. This dude was a conduit for pain and he wears it on his sleeve on every track. Raw, emotive, ethereal. XO is my personal favourite, but I can get down with Figure 8. Smith encapsulated an interesting and honest singer/songwriter space that seems to have disappeared by the mid aughts. You have to wonder what a healthy Elliot Smith might have evolved into. Alas.

dit vond ik beter dan ik verwachtte... wist dat hij een singer-songwriter was, maar kende niet echt songs van hem.. ook de iets meer ballade-achtige nummers konden mij wel ergens bekoren...

Meh

A very nice album from a very nice sounding artist.

Never heard him before and I liked him

Cet album est dans un univers esthétique sonore très différent du travail précédent d'Elliot Smith, proche des Beatles, avec des arrangements riches : cordes, piano et keys, tones de guit 60s, même des brass genre cor français/trompette, aussi dans les arrangements de back vocal bien que souvent il y ait seulement une deuxieme voix qui dait des ouh ouh ou qui harmonise la melodie, ça colore beaucoup. Même les pièces plus "singer-songwriter" sont pimpées, ex Easy way Out avec du violoncelle. Toune pref = Wouldn't mama be proud, surtout les arpèges de guit à la fin avec le tremolo + 12 cordes. Dernière pièce = Bye, piano seulement. Fun facts : enregistré partiellement au studio Abbey road. Sinon reste du rec enregistré à LA. Le cover de l'album = Smith devant une murale à Sunset Boulevard, dans le quartier d'enfance de la photographe qui a pris la photo. Quote de Smith :

Fairly chill, pleasant album

Cette liste est globalement une courbe de Gauss, et cet album est pile poil au sommet.

Interesting. This is sad white boy indie music that should be right in my wheelhouse but it just didn't click with me. I even listened to this twice just to make sure and I feel like I'm missing something. I might give this a few more listens just to see. 4/10

This is an album I would play on a long road trip. It’s an album you can groove to, set it in the background and reflect to, but I don’t think Elliott meant for us to dance it out. Fantastic songwriter.

Really unexpected. Kind of a spacey Simon & Garfunkel vibe. May be a touch over produced but incredibly pleasant to listen to.

Känns verkligen 50/50 om detta träffar rätt eller inte men tycker detta är fenomenalt härligt o bra. Får Sufjan-vibes, vilket aldrig är fel!

Mycket behagligt!

Went in with zero expectations, came out having enjoyed myself but now I think about it I can't remember a single song. Just vague memories of swoopy sounding verses and Beatles-esque singing.

Good, not my usual taste.

I looove Elliott Smith but can't say this is one of my fave albums of his

All the songs were good I guess and the production was great but nothing stood out to me on first listen. Light 4

really great melancholy album, great structure and instrumentals, good vocals, i’ll have to listen to more elliott smith

Kinda dreamy, soft, whimsical, pleasant... I could go on. I would have liked to see where this guy went next. A real shame what happened to him.

This took a little while to grow on me but then I really enjoyed it. Really like his voice and the contrasts between the quieter and louder moments. This is definitely one I’ll listen to again. Fav song: Easy Way Out - also really liked L.A., Wouldn’t Mamma be Proud and Better Be Quiet Now Least fav: Colorbars

Really enjoyable album. Good sound throughout and some great songs in there. I’ve always heard about Elliot smith (Lego movie) but never actually listened so at least this made me do that Specific rating- 4.2 Fav song- son of Sam Least fav- wouldn’t mama be proud

I just really enjoy the way that he sings. Beautiful. Rare case where I wish I hadn't checked out his wikipedia page, hard to not hear every song a little more tragically than before. Favourite: Can't Make a Sound or Son of Sam Least: Everything Means Nothing To Me

= the Beatles This is different. Most of this list is bands from the 60s and into the 70s trying to be the Beatles, here's a guy in 2000 trying desperately to be the Beatles. Much like the Beatles, some of it is enjoyable

The album drags on and on

nice record but not really memorable, mostly generic. fav tracks: colorbars, everythng means nothing to me

Not sure what it is but something makes me resistant to Elliot Smith's music.. while I liked this album more than the last that came up, I still find it a little too melancholy and a bit of a buzzkill..

This is the second Elliott Smith album I've gotten from the generator and I enjoyed it a lot more than the first, Either/Or. I thought the songwriting was great on Either/Or, but I didn't really connect with the angst or melancholy in the lyrics. Those feelings are still here on this album, but I feel like the songwriting really took a step forward, especially as the simple, lo-fi production has evolved to a much more complete and complex sound. Favourite tracks: Son of Sam, Somebody I Used to Know, Junk Bond Trader, Everything Means Nothing to Me, Colorbars, Can't Make a Sound

Listened to this while browsing properties in Portugal and dreaming of leaving this shit-heap behind...not in the Elliott Smith sense, however. I enjoyed this album so much more than I thought I would. I had a roommate in college who loved Smith's music...but it always felt whiney to me at the time. Fast forward nearly 25 years, and this album now resonates much more strongly with me. I loved the instrumentation throughout...the production was excellent. Kinda more poppy than I was expecting!

I’ve put off writing this for like a week while I get ready to come back to this challenge and couldn’t come up with any words for this album. I don’t know. It really speaks to me in a special way.

Not quite my style of melodies

Tykkäsin! Taitavaa kitaransoitto, ja akustinen kitara oli tosi hienosti äänitetty.

Aika leppoisa levy, vaikka sanoitukset ovat ajoittain aika synkkiä. Toimii

Nojookamaa. Menee taustalla

Ilmeisen taitava kaveri neppailemaan akustista ja kirjoittelemaan kappaleita. Mutta ei vaan aukene Sepultura jälkeen tämä. Not my cup of tea.

Kiva ja monipuolinen levy! Kevyttä kuunneltavaa.

One of the rare albums on this list where (i) I basically had zero knowledge of the artist (even though I feel like I should have given my age and (ii) I felt like this warranted a 5 star rating. I LOVED this album. I get it might not be everyone's cup of tea (and some might find it whiny). But not me. I thought it was a beautiful album. What I didn't love was reading up a bit more on Elliott Smith and his decision to end his life. Heartbreaking...

This time im really gonna do it

Previously rated: Either Or (2/5) ******************************* I didn't remember listening to this guy a year and a half ago, but looks like I did. At least I liked this album better. It had a couple of pretty decent songs (Son of Sam and L.A.) and a lot of samey Simon & Garfunkel sounding tunes.

Jesus that's a sad one. Its great hut damn it hurts. Dude loved his Beatles style double vocals and it hits just like back on Abbey road. Just nice piano and acoustic guitars. But ending your last album on a song tilted "bye" is heart wrenching. Listen to it and cry

Quite an eclectic mix of sounds. I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable listen

The perfect album.

Solid

fav: somebody that i used to know 3,5/5 ♾️

I actually liked this a lot more than I was expecting! At it's best when there's minimal distortion and melodies can come to the fore, but with some really nice big-sounding production too! Strong 3.5*

After the last Elliott Smith album, I thought this would be some more dry melancholy music, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it's a bit more damp, melancholy music

Mellow average music. Nothing amaozing, but not horrible

Good

Decent, but a little samey in places.

Álbum bem competente. TRI x HBB KAI.

Yayayaya Elliot smith. Not as good as either or but a great albun! 7/10

I'd let Elliot Smith give me Backshots

Maybe it’s the shadow cast by his death or maybe it’s because the two Elliott Smith songs I know best are Waltz No 2 and Needle in the Hay (aka the one from the most intense scene in The Royal Tenenbaums) but I was expecting this to be bleak and instead it’s very Beatle-y. In some ways that was a relief but it’s also not that distinctive.

Bright, buoyant and well balanced. He knew what he was doing and this is a pleasure to listen to. Highlights are both "Everything" songs and "LA." Last few cuts are heartbreaking in retrospect.

top songs: son of sam, junk bond trader, wouldn't mama be proud, stupidity tries, can't make a sound, pretty mary kay, everything means nothing, L.A, happiness, don't why i put off checking out his music cause this is sickkk

dosta dobro!

Always a good listen.

C’est chouette ! Très mélancolique (cela dit moins que d’autres morceaux que j’ai écoutés de lui) mais j’aime bien. Du rock plutôt chill, ça s’enchaîne, c’est cohérent. Pas de bangers qui m’ont marquée mais ça s’écoute bien !

I'm familiar with the name, but not his music. It's pretty obvious he was extremely inspired by the Beatles for this stuff. I googled him to check if my suspicions were right, and they were. Also he was stabbed to death. That's terrible! I give it a 3/5

This is alright, I thought Elliott Smith was like a 90s Nick Drake and this was going to be the most miserable, wretched thing with the way people write about him. I wouldn't call it a happy album but it definitely isn't that either. Maybe his other stuff is like that I'm not keen on a lot of the creative choices. He has an objectively good voice but I'm not keen on the airy, breathy cadence he uses, feels like he's right in my ear and breathing down my neck The repeated vocal harmony on Everything Means Nothing to Me mostly spoils that song, I especially liked the drums but can't really get by the voice. I'm also not into the honky tonk piano on In The Lost And Found It's ok though. Could maybe grow on me Highlights: LA, Pretty Mary K

Jfc this album drags 99% of the time, the only hope i felt that it would get any better is from the instrumentals. I am sooooooo boreddddd. I cannot deal with the vocals.

Pretty solid indie rock album. Immense respect for Elliot Smith playing pretty much every instrument on the album as well. Solid easy listening, more than a few fairly forgettable songs bloat the runtime a bit. Top tracks: Junk Bond Trailer, Everything Reminds Me Of Her, Happiness/The Gondola Man

Garbage. No one should listen to him. He was just a wanna be John Lennon. Like that one guy that was t banned in Africa was bob dylan for the don’t know any better.

Enjoyed

I liked this album. A few songs have a lot of nostalgia for me. I had the Son of Sam / Happiness single as my introduction (I know) to Elliot Smith and I feel like I loved it so much when I first got my hands on it. This album overall doesn't really hold up it's end of the bargain in light of that first taste, nor does it stand up to a lot of the great music he made before this album. It's a bit too far into the pop LA commercial rock area that it felt like he wanted to ease into. I don't know. Some of my favorite songs are on this album, but there's only ~3 of them and the rest don't get the job done. 3.25

Ideal for a contemplative rainy morning. Great first listen.

I only have either/or so it was fun to listen to another Elliot Smith album 3/5 #musicsky #albumsky #musicchallenge

Ecoutable

Pas mal, c'est pas forcément le style d'album qui me plaît le plus mais j'ai pas non plus jeté mon casque à travers la salle par dégoût. Y a quelques chansons assez sympa sans pour autant être mémorables.

C est simpa.

I'm generally not big on singer-songwriters, especially ones tagged as folk, so while I've known for years who Elliott Smith was I never had an urge to check him out. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find that I liked several songs on here. The first half is really good. The back half blurred together for me though to the point I was ready to be done with it before it ended. Which is a bummer given the strong start. Maybe I'll give it another spin to see if it grows on me.

Not my favorite Elliott Smith album—that title belongs to XO—but an extremely close second. Listening to this album is what made me fall in love with his music in the first place. Miss you Elliott <3

nothing happens. not offensive, but surprised this features on 1001 albums to listen to before you die.

Second Elliot Smith album on this list, and second time that I am saddened I didnt listen to him sooner. Top Track on this album: Can't Make a Sound.

Lovely surprise. Did not expect that amazing electric guitar sound throughout the record.

Noisy voice, boring guitar, sadness all over. Two or three songs rise up my vote.

Sad crap

it's sad how his more "upbeat-ish" sounding album is his last, but also very on point when you think about. was the perfect album to listen on a cloudy gray day.

Since I'm not 17, this doesn't hit me the way it probably would. Elliott is obviously a talented musician and he set the stage for a lot of other bands I find irritatingly twee (why does this shit keep coming up in these reviews? It's obnoxious that I keep complaining about it but it's always there). Elliott has a gift that his imitators lack where his earnestness and musicality are personal rather than formalisms, which is nice, but it doesn't change the fact that I hear it as Music For Sad Teens And College Students. Really should be a 4, but I'm feeling mean about listening to depressing stuff on a sunny day when I feel good and it gets a little same-y by the end.

One of the best ❤️

Wish there was only 8

Like me some sad guitar boy. (34 known/74 new)

I definitely hear Sufan Stevens, at least his early stuff here. I can see where he drew inspiration. The first two tracks were great, and I thought there were some here and there that landed, but a lot seemed a forgettable. The lyrics are definitely tinged given his death around this time. Overall, if someone time me you'd was their favorite album, I would guess their second and third favorite artist is Conner Oberst and Sufjan. Love the earnestness and I think of i listened again the other tracks would grow on me. On a scale of -5 to 5, solid 3.

There's some strong material on this, but there's also a lot of bloat/filler tracks. It's not as chilling as his earlier work. Would say this is a high 3 star. Like 3.75

I don't really know how to feel, some parts are gorgeous and others kinda discordant. It feels like a breakup album at times, and hearing his history and mystery around his death makes this really feel like a breakup with life itself, with lines saying something like "I'm not aftaid to die anymore". Especially since the last song is titled "Bye". Eerie, yet beautiful. Struggled a lot with the lyrics feeling like nonsense, and a lot of moments early on that felt out of line with the song as a whole, but I love the dreamy atmosphere in some of these moments.

Pretty good. Not amazing all the way through, but still a solid album. His voice is definitely an acquired taste, though, I think. This is an album I first heard songs from nearly 20 years ago and I still enjoy it from time to time even though it isn't a genre I listen to very often.

This was such a great album, and it’s heartbreaking that it was Elliott Smith’s last completed work before his death. I really wish we could’ve heard more from him. This album is a bit more polished than his earlier ones, with some tracks hitting a slightly heavier tone than his past material, but overall, it’s his classic chamber indie folk sound, full of those jangly guitars.

Как-будто более экстравертный альбом, чем слышанный ранее. Проникся исполнителем и ещё как.

Not my cup of tea. Instrumentals were decent but the vocal work was not doing it for me. 'Can't Make a Sound' was my fave.

Probably the most accessible Elliot Smith album because its much more rock-orientated than his other more folk-orientated albums. Definitely works for me. Favorite track: Son of Sam

3 - decent inoffensive

Complete

Not looking forward to this one.

First song was fun, went down hill from there. Never heard of this guy. Now I know why.

Never heard of this guy. Kind of reminds me of the Beatles. I actually liked In the lost and found. Turned into a snooze fest after a while though. Glad I made it to the end cause that last song was pretty good.

it reminded me of death cab for cutie but was a little pitchier. A lot of it blended together but I could see myself liking this album when i was younger

It was an interesting listen. I enjoyed it. He has an interesting voice and I liked the variety

Quit after listening to half. I didn’t like his voice very much. When he did do something cool, like the end of Everything Means Nothing to Me, suddenly the other instruments were disjointed.

for me, starts out slow, builds nicely in the middle, then falls off again at the end. Still a good album, I just prefer the higher energy middle

Not my first time listening to Elliot smith and I tried to like him but I really don’t get it. His voice is boring, the instruments don’t move me, and there wasn’t a song on here I liked. Nothing I particularly disliked either though. He stands out as a unique singer songwriter but it’s not for me. 3/10

I can see the appeal for this album. Personally it felt repetitive and like generic sad boy music. Nothing I’d listen to in rotation, 2/5

The guitar playing, the melodies, songwriting ability, woeful singing. I prefer Either/Or but this record isn’t far behind at all.

beautiful, i love you elliott smith

Pre-listening thoughts: see Elliott smith is another artist like Radiohead who has influenced a ton of songwriters but whose fanbase is also insufferable. So I’m worried about what’s to come but also I know in my gut it’s probably gonna be okay Post/during listening thoughts: okay wait this is fire! I like how it alternates between slower tracks and more uptempo tracks. It keeps me interested and doesn’t make any one half of it a slog. Sometimes his voice is a little droney for me, like when Thom Yorke is droney at least I feel some energy there, but it really just feels depressing here. Which is probably the point but whatever. Really great lyricism. I can understand his influence. 7.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I guess just to understand Elliott smith? And like remove personal bias around him? Fav tracks: Son of Sam, Everything Means Nothing to Me, L.A., Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud, Pretty Mary Kay Least fav tracks: Bye

Too quiet, I don’t get it.

Whispy vocals, cool rhythms. Very indie sound. Not the kind of music I normally gravitate towards, but overall a pretty enjoyable album.

This is fine, but really "one-note". Was tired of the song structures by the end of the album.

Lovely, rich, and textured sounds. Sometimes dark lyrics. Sad fate for this tortured man.

Not for me, a few were good

Such a beautiful, lush album with perfect pop hooks and an undercurrent of sinister menace. As we found out later, Elliott was a man struggling with his own mental and emotional health, and these songs give us a peek into those demons. His music has been a solace at many points over the last 25+ years, and I don't expect that to change any time soon.

I enjoyed it. 3.5/5

I only knew Son of Sam before listening to this,. You definitely get the feeling Elliott wasn't cut out for handling the success he achieved, and this makes his final album a poignant listen.

Instant classic record for 2005 me.

Giving 70s vibey

Listened on 3/20/23 3/5 Favorite song: son of sam The vibes of this album were a bit of a bummer but I did really enjoy some of the songs and the early 00s drama

Pretty darn sad album. I can understand the guy’s talent with both musicality and lyric-writing, but nothing is quite catchy or ear wormy enough for me to want to listen to something this depressing. I guess my favorite would be Somebody that I Used To Know since it’s a bit like Simon and Garfunkel.

Overall thoughts: Well it’s a depressing album, but it’s also haunting in an intriguing way. If I was making an indie horror/slasher movie I’d for sure use this album. Adding to the feeling is the lore behind his death. Figure 8 is straight out of American Horror Story Freakshow. Favorite songs: Son of Sam and Junk Bonder Trader I’d like to preface by saying that I wouldn’t listen to these ever, but I want them in a movie. They’re creepy and I like it.

yeah its ok,

Were I feeling like I was super manic happy and needed something to bring me down to ground me, this might be an appropriate album. Dear God, this album needs to come with a prescription for Prozac. So melancholy, so down, so emo. No thanks. I don't listen to music to bring me down, the world does that enough for me. Great if you're an emo fan, horrible if you're not. No thanks, 1/5

Beyond boring

Did this guy pay to be on the list?

I love sad boy music so I loved this lyrically, and I really enjoyed the diversity of styles amongst the songs. My biggest qualm is Elliot Smith’s voice…it’s just so boring

Figure 8 was pretty good, but it wasn’t my vibe when I was listening to it. Good much just not a Blaze vibe.

i wish that i could give this album a 4.5 star rating, because i LOVED IT. it honestly caught me off guard because i was prepared for an achingly sad album like his other two albums (either/or and also his self titled “elliott smith”) however, i enjoyed the more upbeat vibe that this collection of songs brought. it was fantastic and had a good balance of dynamic emotions over the album. fav song: stupidity tries

faux ~quirky~ and boring! i liked everything means nothing to me

This one was hard to rate. I like the guitar playing more than the singing, but the singing is not too bad either. I would give it a 3 based on the great guitar playing, but a 2 based on the mediocre vocals. The whole package was pretty nicely put together, so I guess I'll go with the higher number. Best song: Junk Bond Trader

I never got deep into Elliot Smith, which is surprising because i Like sad music, but something never quite clicked. I did not mind this album at all and maybe i need to revisit his albums some more. Definitely some songs that stood out and I really enjoyed. As normal, the songs i really liked appeared to be the least listened from the album. I was expecting it to be a lot more dreary and it was actually upbeat in some parts. Solid 4.5 stars. I will listen more

I can't place if I absolutely love this mans music or if it's just okay. If another album appears by Elliott ill have more interesting thoughts than this.

I didn't know him and i will definitely listen more. Great melodies!

Nice album.

It’s unique and there are some great songs but I don’t know if I’d listen to it often. I’m glad I did give it a proper listen though.

I don’t think this album is Elliott Smith at his very best, but there are still plenty of moments that showcase him doing Elliott Smith things well, so it’s hard to complain. I just find his voice/melodies/chord progressions/lyrics very satisfying to listen to. It would benefit from being a 10- or 11-tracker though - I feel we’d be closer to ‘classic’ territory if some fat was trimmed. 3.5

Slow uninspired

2/5: decent, but found that most of the songs sound the same.

Smith was a great songwriter with a great voice. I enjoyed this, but I bet it would've been better listening to this in a quiet room late at night! Liked Songs Added: Easy Way Out

Not my favorite but I appreciate the increased instrumentation

Schön zu hörende Musik mit Texten, die man mitlesen sollte um die Inhalte gut zu erfassen. 4/5

I didn’t finish sry

Really loved it. Can’t believe I’d never heard of him.

Meh.

Clearly a talented guy and I’m a sucker for melancholy

Done

This guy just isn't for me. Musically, he's too boring. Yeah, maybe his lyrics are good, but I can't pay attention long enough to care.

Pretty good album.

The man was a hell of a musician, I'll give him that much. LA and both Everything's are great tracks. I just wish there was any depth at all. I keep thinking about how I see more emotional range out of Pete Davidson than I have on any Smith album. Such a waste of talent.

love this album possibly buy it!

3/5

Good combination of guitar and piano.

The generator gave me this in Seattle. Incredible and has to be 5 stars for that, but it isn't my favorite Elliott Smith record.

2000. Actually pretty enjoyable album, had some interesting chord progressions and chill sound. I would listen to it again. Elliot Smith unfortunately passed away early.

Just okay

Cool vibe but I didn’t get most of the songs lyrics lol

Much has been said about Elliott Smith. Much of it sad. While an inordinate amount of his music is about heroin, I'll choose to focus on how talented he was. I mean from a skill standpoint he was a one-man band, recording pretty much all his own instruments. Maybe a jack of all trades, but most people are bad at only one instrument so who's to judge. He was, however, a master songwriter. For my money one of the greatest, if not the greatest singer-songwriter. It's astounding how his genius slaps you in the face in every project. From his humble beginnings with Roman Candle to a major label-backed Figure 8. At best he is a serviceable singer, but I don't care all too much. Elliot provides an authenticity that would only be mudded by technical ability. A wispy honesty unique to him. With critical acclaim and money backing his wildest ambitions, Elliott does not hold back. Continuing his layered instrumentation from XO, Figure 8 delivers the same level of songwriting while providing a more dreamlike experience. It's not my favorite, but in my mind, it's still undeniable. Whenever Either/or gets spit out by the generator, the glaze will continue. I mean can you blame me? He changed my life. 8.8/10 Favorite Songs: Everything Reminds Me of Her/L.A.

9/10 Elliott, my guy. Having been introduced to him properly earlier this year, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about him and his artistry. This is one of 3 9+ albums from me. He’s a generational writer and I love when artists prove concept then just go get after it with big money from a studio. Great work here. Favorite Song: Son of Sam

Didn't listen to the full album but enjoyed what I heard.

#558. Perfectly acceptable guitar pop. Nothing more, nothing less. A bit Beatles-ey at points. 3/5: fine

A beautifully orchestrated descent into introspection and fragile hope.

Utterly brilliant, I always feel a bit guilty listening to his music as it hits close to home and... knowing he didn't make it... great music

Expected more. Somewhat repetitive. No killer tracks.

It was a decent listen. I previously listened to some of Smith's early work. The first song was a banger, reminding me of the Beatles. "Figure 8" got boring after the first half. Luckily, it wasn't bad at all. 3 stars for "Figure 8"

New to me. Good music.

Elliott Smith is stuck in an unfortunate place. It isn't that he is particularly flawed or lacking. It is more to do with a certain saturation of similar music that puts him in the pack and not really at the front. It is not the worst trial to listen to by any means! In fact for some there may be some special quality in there that makes him have a fan club. It is simply that for me, his music is in that pile of "yeah, he is all right." which puts him in that unenviable middle ground.

Ok

i have so much to say but i cannot put it into words right now

8/10 Favorite Tracks: Can't Make A Sound, Son Of Sam, Stupidity Tries, Somebody That I Used to Know, Easy Way Out Least Favorite Tracks: Wouldn't Mama Be Proud, Pretty Mary Kay, Better Be Quiet Now

2-3 so moody

Bolder and brighter than the first record, sharper and shinier, too. This is fully illustrative of what might have been, and where he might have gone with his prodigious talent – perhaps more deeply in an indie rock vein, perhaps in a more chamber/baroque pop direction. The "Everything" songs are engaging and affecting – plus one knows what he means. "LA" is another highlight. The distinct voice suggest deep need and vulnerability, but also hope and humor. Given what happened, the last cut is haunting, utterly.

Really genuine and emotional. I could easily see this getting you at the right moment in your life and being foundational.

I remember when this came out. My sister had it, so I checked it out. It didn't hook me then. Amazing song craft. Top tier. Some Paul Simon vibes. Everything Reminds Me of Her was the stand out track. I get why this is loved, but maybe I missed the boat on it. Still doesn't hook me. A time and a place for sure.

i've listened to this album before, though not in full, so i'll be rating it Son Of Sam - 5/5 Somebody That I Used To Know - 4/5 (short but sweet) Junk Bond Trader - 5/5 Everything Reminds Me Of Her - 4/5 Everything Means Nothing To Me - 5/5 L.A. - 5/5 In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost - 4/5 Stupidity Tries - 5/5 Easy Way Out - 4/5 Wouldn't Mama Be Proud - 5/5 Colorbars - 4/5 Happiness/The Gondola Man - 5/5 Pretty Mary Kay - 4/5 Better Be Quiet Now - 3/5 Can't Make A Sound - 5/5 Bye - no rating (short but sweet) Average score: 4.6/5 (rounding up) love me some elliott smith, he's been a huge influence of many of the artists i listen to for good reason. this album hits hard knowing this is the last album he released before taking his own life i'm a fan of all his albums really, but this one stands out uniquely from the rest. his production evolved somewhat from his more subtle acoustic sound in previous releases, though his vocals and instrumentals that he's known for are still present. some might argue this was "overproduced" but i disagree the songs about as melancholic as his other albums, which i imagine might be off-putting to some, but all the tracks sounded so pleasant to me in an instrumental sense that it's not nearly as depressing as some of his others. XO is probably still my fav of all his releases i've heard so far, but damn does this come close to dethroning that title rest peacefully, king

Really nice and melancholic.

Sound is boring but i like the lyrics

Banger ass album

Started out really excited about this album but lost the excitement after the the first few songs.

fell asleep halfway through and didn't really care enough to go back

This album took me some listens to finally click with me. But why? To put some context, I've been listening to Elliot's music before starting this list. But I only listened to the more soft side of his discography, and I'm talking about the Self titled and 'Either/Or'. By the time I was most into his music, I've tried listening to this record, but it didn't stick with me, because it is so different from what I expected, so I didn't even give it another try. Until now. When this list presented me this record I saw a chance to finally get into it. And boy, I'm glad I had this opportunity. As I stated, this is not an acoustic album. This album has very large instrumentation, which, in comparison with his previous music, makes this record feel more positive. But it sounds so so good, and his voice plays along with it so well. Besides, it may sound a little more charming, but his lyrics still feel and are sad. So, overall, this album still presents the same personality which characterized his previous albums, but more ambitious in terms of instruments. I'm not giving it a 5, but damn, it is so close. And to add a personal note, I don't think that any other Elliot Smith song has made feel more emotional than 'Can't Make a Sound' has made. *Edit: It is getting 5 stars. Super consistent and super emotinal throughout the whole album

Running out of ways to say OK but pretty uninspiring … unlikely to listen again.

Elliott Smith sure could craft some sweet and tender songs. His come with a lyrical message that portends much darker moods than the twinkling pianos and chiming guitars might have you think.

Figure 8 is Smith’s most layers, complicated album. But it falls short of his earlier work. It’s a bit too long 6.7/10

When I listen to folk, I don’t just hear notes or words — I hear echoes of eras. Voices of stones that witnessed battles, rivers that carried shipwrecks, winds that carved myths into untouched forests. To me, folk is an invitation to tread on soil where time hasn’t dissolved: stories immortalized not for being perfect, but for bearing the weight of the concrete — dried blood on swords, petrified tears in statues, whispers of names erased from history. Yet Elliott Smith hands me a sterile void. Lack of testosterone-rock.

Não manjo muito de Elliott Smith, só tinha ouvido Either/Or algumas vezes (E gostei bastante), então fui ouvir esse album com a mente aberta e de forma despretensiosa, mas com uma expectativa bem especifica. Essa expectativa foi totalmente quebrada quando percebi a diferença no estilo de produção desse disco comparado ao que eu conhecia. Os momentos mais intimos e sensiveis ainda existem aqui, mas eles são só uma parte do que esse album oferece. Musicas como L.A., Son of Sam, Everything Means Nothing To Me, entre outras, me surpreenderam muito pois eu não conhecia esse lado do Elliott. Bom demais. Preciso ouvir o resto dos discos dele qualquer hora dessas. Em alguns momentos desse album eu juro que ele invocou o John Lennon do nada. Vejo muita semelhança tanto no estilo vocal quanto lirico deles. Só achei que o album poderia ser um pouco mais curto. Fora isso, dificil apontar algum defeito. 4.5/5

Musikalisch sehr gut

Still so heartbreaking, excellent songwriting, haunting but rich

off the bat not nearly as mopey as I'd feared. Obviously Ambulance LTD were big fans

I know people really like Elliott Smith, but this wasn't anything over the top for me. 3.5 Stars.

Honestly I thought this would be a 4.5 at first and break the 5 streak but once again, another banger jn a row

“Son of Sam” is a great kickoff track.

Meh

3 estrelas

i like this! very 2000s sad boy songs

I enjoyed this album. Never heard of the artist. A bit of a one trick pony.

Soothing and emotional

Pretty great attempt at somber songwriting. Not nearly what I expected but also so very good. Somber melodies with an angellic vocal presence with great musicianship and song writing motiffs. I won't reach for this album after today, but it gave me lots of nostalgia for early 2000's rainy monday in New York City. The anthesis of indie and alternative. Good tunes for good people.

Me parece a mí o esto suena a todo lo que es el rockpop nacional hoy? What? Igual lindo inicio, aburrido final. Nota: 2.5

Leuk, beetje Jeff buckley vibes

Another surprise. Very melodic and entertaining album.

(see fig. 8)

It's okay for the background.

What an album! Such a wide variety of songs, ranging from soft and vulnerable tracks to very catchy Indie rock tracks. He has such a good voice, fitting both styles perfectly. Reminded me a lot of Sufjan Stevens at times, I'm sure Elliott is one his biggest inspirations. This along with the Kate Bush album is my favourite so far.

Better than I expected. As I listen to more albums I am running out of ways to say, "nothing bad, but nothing great."

What? Another generic early 2000s singer songwriter writing the most bland indie I've ever heard? YES PLEASE. And now I read his Wikipedia page I see he either stabbed himself or was murdered by his girlfriend..... Sound

Lieblingssongs: Everything Means Nothing to Me, Stupiditz Tries Singersongwriter, eher langweilig, fand seine Art zu singen geballtbauf einem Album eher anstrengend.

Its good, just not really for me.

I thought I’d like this more because a lot of my favourite artists sight Elliot smith as influence. Reminds me of the father John misty storytelling type but the songs aren’t that catchy so they leave my mind as soon as I hear them. I liked the vibe though, maybe needs some relistens

Eerlijk, best goed

Great, very Beatles with a modern twist

The tunes are gorgeous but the lyrics are so heavy.

joyful

Better than I expected, I liked a lot of songs on this album but I don't see myself playing it again

Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud is an all-timer, nice to revisit such a good album.

Pleasant.

Powerfully humble

Ewww Elliot smith is a wannabe Paul McCartney dude what it’s just a worse version of the Gotye song This guy listens to a lot of 60s rock huh These songs would be cool if he would drop the half note piano chords and if he wouldn’t sing like a 13 year old on SoundCloud who likes owl city Mmm cool guitar

Feels like I’ve been living an early 2000s indie American film star life listening to this. It’s good background music, but only that. Ultimately, quite dull and plodding, like all early 2000s indie American films.

Very nice album. Classic sad Elliott Smith

New to me and really good. I would listen to more.

Sad but beautiful

More upbeat than Either/Or. Not as good though and a little longer. I still liked it a lot. This came out in 2000, so I wonder if he performed any of these songs at CMU.