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From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Recorded from 2000 to 2003, and faced with multiple delays due to Smith's personal problems leading up to his death, it was released posthumously in the UK and Europe on Domino on October 18, 2004, and in the US the following day on October 19, 2004, through record label Anti-, almost a year after his death. The album was initially planned as a double album, and was incomplete at the time of Smith's death. Many of the songs Smith intended for the album remained unfinished, in some cases lacking only vocals. Smith's family hired his former producer Rob Schnapf and ex-girlfriend Joanna Bolme to sort through and finish the batch of over thirty songs that were recorded for the album, although the estate retained final decision on which tracks to include. Many of the songs reference Smith's struggles with drug addiction and depression. His cause of death is officially unknown, as the coroner's report remarks that some aspects pointed to suicide and some to murder. The official nature of the case and statements from close friends state that his death is still under speculation. It has not been investigated further. From a Basement on the Hill became Smith's highest-charting album in the US and was praised by critics, with reviewers complimenting the album's attempts to expand Smith's sound, such as the incorporation of instrumental passages, as well as heavier, guitar-based material.
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Reviews
From A Basement On The Hill is the final album by Elliott Smith. As on his other records it's full of fragile sad songs. The arrangements and instrumental parts on this album are somewhat expanded, but cannot hide the disturbing feeling of his death pressing on to it. "A Passing Feeling" and "A Fond Farewell" (and many more) are utterly beautiful, but sound horribly devastating now. I find it hard to listen to the lyrics.
Gave the other 2 albums high scores and this is no different. I have an affinity to his whole style and although this wasn't 100% finished it's still good. I felt a real feel for the Beatles from this album......weird...
An often overlooked part of Smith’s discography, and perhaps his most emotionally raw LP. The usually subdued guitar is gone, replaced by shockingly aggressive parts that make this album feel wholly unique compared to Smith’s other projects. The usual sad tinge has become a full on torrent, and the songwriting reflects a much greater of loss and desperation. By far the hardest-hitting combination of instrumentals and lyrics Smith recorded, and no wonder given how this LP was recorded during the final few years of his life as drugs consumed him (and ultimately had to be released posthumously). Thank you for adding this, tough listen in the context of its history but a necessary complement to ‘Either/Or’ on the main 1001.
Elliott Smith had such a sad end. Emotional final album. How fortunate that there were those around that loved him to finish these songs.
Plain and simple
Man, Elliott Smith just doesn't do it for me. I know as a Xennial I'm supposed to revere him, and the dude was talented, no doubt, but his voice is just grating to me. I don't hate it, per se, but it's just not my style. Lyrically, it's very strong, and I can see why a lot of people like him. Just not my jam; at least, this album isn't. 2.5/5, but rounding up to a 3 for strong lyricism.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Coast to coast, Twilight
From A Basement On The Hill offers unremarkable singer-songwriter stuff that is really mostly middling with the odd interesting high, like Don't Go Down, which is a bit heavier in style and substance, and A Passing Feeling which has a nice bridge into the outro giving it a weight and feel that does a better job of trying to define the record than the other tracks. It's too long at nearly an hour, I don't think this would be nearly as revered by those who like it like they do were it not a posthumous release soon after his death, it's not good enough throughout for a 3/5 so gets a 2.