Elliott Smith is the second album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was released by Kill Rock Stars on 21 July 1995 in CD 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.[3]
[edit] 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 a harmonica and drums.[4] The lyrics are arguably Smith's darkest and most cutting, dealing with subjects like substance abuse ("St. Ides Heaven", "Needle in the Hay") and loss ("Good to Go"), although the album does also have a 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 with Neil Young's sense of doom".[5] Pitchfork.com rated "Needle in the Hay" as the 27th best song of the decade.[6]
[edit] 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" – 2:39
[edit] Outtakes
The following tracks were recorded during the same sessions as the album, but did not make the final cut.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Posthumously released
- "Riot Coming" - Featured on New Moon.
- "Talking to Mary" - Featured on New Moon.
- "Whatever (Folk Song in C)" - Featured on New Moon.
[edit] Unofficially released
[edit] Unreleased
- "Needle in the Hay" ("Trumpet" mix)
[edit] References
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Elliott Smith: The Well Rounded Interview", Well Rounded Entertainment, David Peisner http://www.well-rounded.com/music/reviews/elliottsmith_intv.html
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/r251314
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/Elliott-Smith/dp/B00000373G
- ^ [2]
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