I listened to Elliott Smith almost constantly for a number of years, in particular during my
collegiate hermit era. His music has meant a lot to me, so this week's release of New Moon was sad and happy at the same time for me. I think that's how his music always is too, rolling opposites into one, simultaneously delicate and strong. It's one of the best things about his songs and no small part of what makes them classics.
New Moon is a double cd length collection of songs that for various reasons never made it to full length albums. Elliott always wanted to put out a double album a la The White Album, and it's hard that this posthumous collection is as close as he got. The tracks are all from the years 1994-1997, arguably his best period. Some of them are from singles and some are never before released. Being a big ol' fan, I had heard pretty much all of them before (Thanks Charlie!), but that doesn't lessen the impact of hearing them again for the first time in years and having them all together collected. I have to say since Elliott's death in 2003 I had virtually stopped listening to his records. I feel strange hearing his voice again on New Moon and I keep listening to it over and over and over.
The great thing about the release, aside from the amazing songs, is that it was put together by people who were really close to Elliott and who knew his aesthetic and how important it is to maintain his vision. None of the tracks are overdubbed or messed with; they are presented in the form they were recorded, and they are as spare as any of his early releases.
His songs are so unbelievably rich and evocative. I think the detail in every aspect of every song is nearly unparalleled. His songs are fantastic top to bottom, from the lyrics to the chords to the melody. Even the covers he chose over the years are flawless. One of my favorites, "Thirteen" by Alex Chilton, is included here at last. I feel like my meager writing can't do the tracks any justice, so i don't have too much to say except that I am sad that he's not around any more and I am hopeful that more and more people will find his music. And that you should listen to "Angel in the Snow" cause it's one of the best songs he ever wrote. It is so funny and also telling that Elliott's throwaways are usually better than what 90% of people putting out music ever write. He must have been very hard on himself.
collegiate hermit era. His music has meant a lot to me, so this week's release of New Moon was sad and happy at the same time for me. I think that's how his music always is too, rolling opposites into one, simultaneously delicate and strong. It's one of the best things about his songs and no small part of what makes them classics.New Moon is a double cd length collection of songs that for various reasons never made it to full length albums. Elliott always wanted to put out a double album a la The White Album, and it's hard that this posthumous collection is as close as he got. The tracks are all from the years 1994-1997, arguably his best period. Some of them are from singles and some are never before released. Being a big ol' fan, I had heard pretty much all of them before (Thanks Charlie!), but that doesn't lessen the impact of hearing them again for the first time in years and having them all together collected. I have to say since Elliott's death in 2003 I had virtually stopped listening to his records. I feel strange hearing his voice again on New Moon and I keep listening to it over and over and over.
The great thing about the release, aside from the amazing songs, is that it was put together by people who were really close to Elliott and who knew his aesthetic and how important it is to maintain his vision. None of the tracks are overdubbed or messed with; they are presented in the form they were recorded, and they are as spare as any of his early releases.
His songs are so unbelievably rich and evocative. I think the detail in every aspect of every song is nearly unparalleled. His songs are fantastic top to bottom, from the lyrics to the chords to the melody. Even the covers he chose over the years are flawless. One of my favorites, "Thirteen" by Alex Chilton, is included here at last. I feel like my meager writing can't do the tracks any justice, so i don't have too much to say except that I am sad that he's not around any more and I am hopeful that more and more people will find his music. And that you should listen to "Angel in the Snow" cause it's one of the best songs he ever wrote. It is so funny and also telling that Elliott's throwaways are usually better than what 90% of people putting out music ever write. He must have been very hard on himself.
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nightmare, but I quite enjoy it. I see the tape deck as a challenge and a chance to listen to things I normally would have forgotten all about. I actually really love having the deck. There's nothing like going through your parents' old tapes to find Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye, or my early childhood Holy Grail: Born In the USA.
ewhere, right?) Guess Mom musta watched that Dancing in the Dark video a few too many times! Anyway, Born in the USA was something we could all listen to together, my energy loving mom, my construction working dad, my annoying brother, and ME.
I loved Donna Summer and The Village People. I was so into The Village People. I thought they were a real representative of people in society getting together, getting along and making disco music, that The Village represented America and in this "land of the free", a cop, a sailor, a construction worker, an indian, and a leather daddy could get together and rock!
Ampitheater at Universal Studios, California! It was the only place I was allowed to see my first concert, being 15.
