- Elliott Smith (album)
Infobox Album
Name = Elliott Smith
Type = studio
Artist =Elliott Smith
Released =July 21 1995
Recorded = September 1994, January–February 1995
Genre =Indie rock
Length = 37:23
Label =Kill Rock Stars
KRS246
Producer =Elliott Smith
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:lckxlfhehcqq link]
Last album = "Roman Candle"
(1994)
This album = "Elliott Smith"
(1995)
Next album = "Either/Or"
(1997)"Elliott Smith" is the second album recorded by American
singer-songwriter Elliott Smith . It was released byKill Rock Stars on21 July 1995 inCD and vinyl LP. It was Smith's first full-length release on the label.The album is mostly acoustic, in contrast to Smith's later works which were often more instrumentally layered. Thematically, Smith said that he "personally can't get more dark" than his self-titled album. ["Elliott Smith: The Well Rounded Interview", Well Rounded Entertainment, David Peisner http://www.well-rounded.com/music/reviews/elliottsmith_intv.html]
Musical style
The album is of a similar musical style to Roman Candle and Either/Or in its minimalist, acoustic sound. Smith mostly appears alone on his acoustic guitar, although he is occasionally backed up by the odd musical instrument, such as the drums. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hcfqxqlhldke] The lyrics are arguably Smith's darkest and most cutting, dealing with subjects like substance abuse (St. Ides Heaven) and loss (Good to Go), although the album does also have comforting, gentler sound.
Smith's gentle fingerpicking on the album has been noted by many critics, and the album has been described as a fusion of "
the Beatles ' pop sense withNeil Young 's sense of doom". [http://www.amazon.com/Elliott-Smith/dp/B00000373G]Track listing
All songs written by Elliott Smith.
# "
Needle in the Hay " – 4:16
# "Christian Brothers" – 4:30
# "Clementine" – 2:46
# "Southern Belle" – 3:06
# "Single File" – 2:26
# "Coming Up Roses" – 3:10
# "Satellite" – 2:25
# "Alphabet Town" – 4:11
# "St. Ides Heaven" – 3:00
# "Good to Go" – 2:24
# "The White Lady Loves You More" – 2:24
# "The Biggest Lie" – 2:39Available on CD and LP. A
Kill Rock Stars release."Elliott Smith" was recorded mostly in January/February 1995 at Elliott's friends' houses (Leslie Uppinghouse and
Tony Lash ), except for "Needle in the Hay" and "Alphabet Town" which were recorded in September 1994 at Tony Lash's house.Mixed with much help from Tony Lash and Leslie Uppinghouse.
Sleeve by Neil Gust, cover photo by J.J. Gonson, inset photos by Neil Gust.
This record marked the first time special guests were acknowledged as appearing on an Elliott Smith album, with Rebecca Gates (
The Spinanes ) singing harmony on "St. Ides Heaven" andNeil Gust (No. 2) playing electric guitar on "Single File"."Coming Up Roses" became Elliott's first solo music video, directed by
Ross Harris ."Christian Brothers" was covered by
Queens of the Stone Age for their "Sick, Sick, Sick " single."The Biggest Lie" was covered by
Bright Eyes on their 2005 release ""."The White Lady Loves You More" was used in
Gus Van Sant 's 2007 film "Paranoid Park".Outtakes
The following tracks were recorded during the same sessions as the album, but did not make the final cut.
Officially released
* "Angel in the Snow" - Featured on the "Yeti Zine 1" compilation, later released on "New Moon".
* "Big Decision" - Featured on the "Slice of Lemon" compilation, later released on "New Moon".
* "Some Song" [Extended Intro] - Featured on the "Needle in the Hay " single.
* "Some Song" - Featured on the Kill Rock Stars compilation "Some Songs".Posthumously released
* "New Disaster" - Featured on "New Moon".
* "Riot Coming" - Featured on "New Moon".
* "Talking to Mary" - Featured on "New Moon".
* "Whatever (Folk Song in C)" - Featured on "New Moon".Unofficially released
* "New Disaster" - alternate version
* "Crazy Fucker"Unreleased
* "Needle in the Hay" ("Trumpet" mix)
References
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