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Guess for die-hard fans his self-titled album ranks higher and also songs like "St. Ides Heaven", "Rose Parade" and "Independence Day" are quintessential Elliott Smith-songs. I personally prefer the acoustic versions of some of the later songs over the album-versions. As you rightly point out he never wrote a bad song, an unparalleled musical and poetic genius.
Yeah I had a feeling the self titled one would be where my opinion differs from a lot of die hard fans. I think when I compared it to Roman Candle it made me realize that I like it slightly less, for me Roman Candle is more consistent throughout, the ending chunk of the self titled one loses it for me a bit. Still has a ton of amazing songs though and I think the first half is perfect
@@MikeGodetteMusic Not on any album but the early song "No Confidence Man" is an essential Elliott Smith-song, a haunting masterpiece: ua-cam.com/video/B4e6yubLLio/v-deo.html From a lyrics perspective I think some of the earlier songs really captures and defines his universe, e.g.: "'Cause everyone is a fucking pro And they all got answers from trouble they've known And they all got to say what you should and shouldn't do Though they don't have a clue" - St. Ides Heaven "It's just that everyone's interest is stronger than mine When they clean the street, I'll be the only shit that's left behind" - Rose Parade "Now you can do what you want to whenever you want to Do what you want to whenever you want to Do what you want to whenever you want to Though it doesn't mean a thing Big nothing" - Ballad of Big Nothing
Elliott is one of my favorite artists. He was one of those artists that didn't really mind actually using harmony from more "traditional" pop artists while still having a very contemporary sound. I wish there were more artists that actually took some stuff from the Beatles in that sense, and not just the general idea of their music. I'm rambling. Great video. I don't necessarily agree since I think Either/Or and his Self Titled are top 3.. But X/O is definitely his masterpiece. Everything on that record just clicks.
Well said. Agree about XO too. I was only turned on to him about a year ago from my girlfriend and the more I delved into his stuff the more I was in disbelief that I had never heard of him. I’ve been obsessed ever since lol
I've always wanted to see a list like this on YT, so thanks! The reasoning for Either/Or in A instead of S shows me just how personal these lists can be. One of my friends grew up in Portland and used to go to the Rose Parade as a kid, so his favorite E Smith song is "Rose Parade," and "Punch and Judy" is my favorite song from the last half besides "Say Yes", also for personal reasons. Also, totally agree with XO in S.
And would you agree that From a Basement is Elliott's best vocal performance? He puts so much emotion into every song. Twilight is incredibly simple in terms of arrangement, but his vocal performance makes it so intense.
Yeah I’d completely agree I’d say that album was when he was at his peak vocally and songwriting wise. And I agree I think most diehard Elliott fans like certain songs for more personal reasons, for whatever reason some of those Either/Or songs never did much for me but the songs that I do like on there are some of my favorite Elliott tracks like “Angeles” “Between the Bars” and “Alameda”. I also love some of the other tracks from that session that didn’t make the album like “Going Nowhere” and “New Disaster”
Really love this ranking. I agree with you on almost everything. Basement is my favorite album of his because the sounds he created on it are like nothing I’ve really heard, but since it was unfinished I don’t think it’s his best. Though if he did finish it it could easily be the best album ever. So I think XO is his masterpiece. You said that it’s crazy how many songs he recorded that he never released, if you havent checked out grand mal, it’s a huge collection of Elliott songs that don’t appear on any of his albums and there’s so many great ones. Check out: see you in heaven, stickman, dancing on the highway, and mr. goodmorning
Thanks for watching! And I’ll be sure to check them out thanks! I agree the more I listen to XO the more it’s solidified as my favorite album of his. It’s mind blowing how many great songs there are back to back
Not counting New Moon: 1. XO (1998) = 5 stars 2. Either/Or (1997) = 5 stars 3. Figure 8 (2000) = 5 stars 4. Elliott Smith (1995) = 4.5/5 stars 5. From a Basement on a Hill (2004) = 4.5/5 stars 6. Roman Candle (1994) = 4/5 stars
The Biggest Lie is my favorite off of self titled, but I understand that it's niche. If you haven't been in a bad relationship and told someone "I love you" without really meaning it, the song might be lost on you. Pictures of Me might be the weakest song off Either/Or in terms of lyrics, but it foreshadows the Oscars...which, if you know the story, is everything. How do you not like Sweet Adeline?!? Musically, it's an absurdly talented production. Amity doesn't do it for me either. I Didn't Understand is the perfect way to end the album. Figure 8 being your favorite tells me you're probably a Beatles fan. But how can you not like Junk Bond Trader?? That overdriven guitar is a highlight of the album. Everything Means Nothing To Me...man...what a song - even more incredible (and sad) story (or myth) behind how it was written. The second half of this album defines what you like about Elliott Smith. If you like his minimalism the most, you hate this part. If you like his honesty and musical talent the most,, you love this part. Can't Make A Sound is a musical masterpiece, in my opinion. And, sadly, I think that Bye was deliberate. Having read his biography by William Todd Shultz (great book), I think it's clear that during the Figure 8 sessions, he had lost the will to live at that point. The song position and choice is hard to critique for FaBoaH. You kind of have to take it song by song. Understand that songs like My New Freedom (See You in Heaven), Stickman, and other leaked songs would have probably been on the album if he hadn't ended his life/his estate hadn't cut certain songs they felt were detrimental to the mental health/reputation his surviving family members. Don't Go Down is a masterclass on how electric guitar can be used as a lead instrument. King's Crossing is the centerpiece of the album. I don't know how you gloss over that. It summarizes his entire experience as a musical icon post-Oscars. Then again, as someone who is interested in the person, not only the music, I might attribute meaning and importance to songs that others don't.
It baffles me how well it fits between kings crossing and twilight though the whole album is like this descent into madness that climaxes in kings crossing and then has this craze moment of desolation with ostrich and chriping with the heartbreaking realization of hopelessness and despair in twilight the album kind of flatlines after that reaching almost no pulse at little one which is barely even formed and then distorted reality is like this beam of light coming down ending with that piano line carrying off into a place we cant reach for an unfinished album basement on a hill is remarkable poetic and it is one of the best examinations of death it really feels almost like a concept album about elliotts own death which makes it hard to listen to but i love it all the same
so hard to rank Elliott for me. I think I can say with decent certainty that Figure 8 is my least favorite album, even though it's still amazing, but I just can't pick a favorite. I tend to prefer the lo-fi acoustic Elliott from his early career, but King's Crossing will be forever his best song in my opinion. One of the best to ever do it. nice vid.
i gotta disagree with this list almost entirely. Either Or must be his best album. Pictures Of Me is one of my absolute favorite songs. It's got the Getting Better (beatles) rhythm, the chorus is so aggressive and punk yet so poppy and catchy. I saw someone say in the comments that the lyrics are weak? "Everybody's dying just to get the disease" is like the coolest friggin lyric in his discog. I do agree with your placing of From A Basement On The Hill however, for that is my second favorite. I always thought of elliott as a rock star even on his folky albums. But for me, figure 8 and roman candle definitely are his weakest. The songs just don't stand up to Either Or, XO, Basement or the Self Titled. There's my opinion. sorry for ranting. Good video.
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Funny cause Coming up roses and St. Ides Heaven are two that are up in my top favorites on this album
Guess for die-hard fans his self-titled album ranks higher and also songs like "St. Ides Heaven", "Rose Parade" and "Independence Day" are quintessential Elliott Smith-songs. I personally prefer the acoustic versions of some of the later songs over the album-versions. As you rightly point out he never wrote a bad song, an unparalleled musical and poetic genius.
Self titled is honestly my favorite i love the washed out city aesthetic it has
Yeah I had a feeling the self titled one would be where my opinion differs from a lot of die hard fans. I think when I compared it to Roman Candle it made me realize that I like it slightly less, for me Roman Candle is more consistent throughout, the ending chunk of the self titled one loses it for me a bit. Still has a ton of amazing songs though and I think the first half is perfect
@@MikeGodetteMusic Not on any album but the early song "No Confidence Man" is an essential Elliott Smith-song, a haunting masterpiece:
ua-cam.com/video/B4e6yubLLio/v-deo.html
From a lyrics perspective I think some of the earlier songs really captures and defines his universe, e.g.:
"'Cause everyone is a fucking pro
And they all got answers from trouble they've known
And they all got to say what you should and shouldn't do
Though they don't have a clue" - St. Ides Heaven
"It's just that everyone's interest is stronger than mine
When they clean the street, I'll be the only shit that's left behind" - Rose Parade
"Now you can do what you want to whenever you want to
Do what you want to whenever you want to
Do what you want to whenever you want to
Though it doesn't mean a thing
Big nothing" - Ballad of Big Nothing
Elliott is one of my favorite artists. He was one of those artists that didn't really mind actually using harmony from more "traditional" pop artists while still having a very contemporary sound. I wish there were more artists that actually took some stuff from the Beatles in that sense, and not just the general idea of their music. I'm rambling. Great video. I don't necessarily agree since I think Either/Or and his Self Titled are top 3.. But X/O is definitely his masterpiece. Everything on that record just clicks.
Well said. Agree about XO too. I was only turned on to him about a year ago from my girlfriend and the more I delved into his stuff the more I was in disbelief that I had never heard of him. I’ve been obsessed ever since lol
I've always wanted to see a list like this on YT, so thanks! The reasoning for Either/Or in A instead of S shows me just how personal these lists can be. One of my friends grew up in Portland and used to go to the Rose Parade as a kid, so his favorite E Smith song is "Rose Parade," and "Punch and Judy" is my favorite song from the last half besides "Say Yes", also for personal reasons. Also, totally agree with XO in S.
And would you agree that From a Basement is Elliott's best vocal performance? He puts so much emotion into every song. Twilight is incredibly simple in terms of arrangement, but his vocal performance makes it so intense.
Yeah I’d completely agree I’d say that album was when he was at his peak vocally and songwriting wise. And I agree I think most diehard Elliott fans like certain songs for more personal reasons, for whatever reason some of those Either/Or songs never did much for me but the songs that I do like on there are some of my favorite Elliott tracks like “Angeles” “Between the Bars” and “Alameda”. I also love some of the other tracks from that session that didn’t make the album like “Going Nowhere” and “New Disaster”
Gotta disagree about self titled its one of my 3 favorites of his
Nice! What are your other 2?
Really love this ranking. I agree with you on almost everything. Basement is my favorite album of his because the sounds he created on it are like nothing I’ve really heard, but since it was unfinished I don’t think it’s his best. Though if he did finish it it could easily be the best album ever. So I think XO is his masterpiece. You said that it’s crazy how many songs he recorded that he never released, if you havent checked out grand mal, it’s a huge collection of Elliott songs that don’t appear on any of his albums and there’s so many great ones. Check out: see you in heaven, stickman, dancing on the highway, and mr. goodmorning
Thanks for watching! And I’ll be sure to check them out thanks! I agree the more I listen to XO the more it’s solidified as my favorite album of his. It’s mind blowing how many great songs there are back to back
figure 8 s tier instant like
I love all his albums. My favourite is Either/Or.
Not counting New Moon:
1. XO (1998) = 5 stars
2. Either/Or (1997) = 5 stars
3. Figure 8 (2000) = 5 stars
4. Elliott Smith (1995) = 4.5/5 stars
5. From a Basement on a Hill (2004) = 4.5/5 stars
6. Roman Candle (1994) = 4/5 stars
You really do an incredible job of reviewing and grading these albums. You got a sub from me.
The Biggest Lie is my favorite off of self titled, but I understand that it's niche. If you haven't been in a bad relationship and told someone "I love you" without really meaning it, the song might be lost on you.
Pictures of Me might be the weakest song off Either/Or in terms of lyrics, but it foreshadows the Oscars...which, if you know the story, is everything.
How do you not like Sweet Adeline?!? Musically, it's an absurdly talented production. Amity doesn't do it for me either. I Didn't Understand is the perfect way to end the album.
Figure 8 being your favorite tells me you're probably a Beatles fan. But how can you not like Junk Bond Trader?? That overdriven guitar is a highlight of the album. Everything Means Nothing To Me...man...what a song - even more incredible (and sad) story (or myth) behind how it was written. The second half of this album defines what you like about Elliott Smith. If you like his minimalism the most, you hate this part. If you like his honesty and musical talent the most,, you love this part. Can't Make A Sound is a musical masterpiece, in my opinion. And, sadly, I think that Bye was deliberate. Having read his biography by William Todd Shultz (great book), I think it's clear that during the Figure 8 sessions, he had lost the will to live at that point.
The song position and choice is hard to critique for FaBoaH. You kind of have to take it song by song. Understand that songs like My New Freedom (See You in Heaven), Stickman, and other leaked songs would have probably been on the album if he hadn't ended his life/his estate hadn't cut certain songs they felt were detrimental to the mental health/reputation his surviving family members. Don't Go Down is a masterclass on how electric guitar can be used as a lead instrument. King's Crossing is the centerpiece of the album. I don't know how you gloss over that. It summarizes his entire experience as a musical icon post-Oscars. Then again, as someone who is interested in the person, not only the music, I might attribute meaning and importance to songs that others don't.
'Ostriches and Chirps' was the only song that Elliott didn't make on FABOTH. I don't know if he was planning to use it on the album or not though
It baffles me how well it fits between kings crossing and twilight though the whole album is like this descent into madness that climaxes in kings crossing and then has this craze moment of desolation with ostrich and chriping with the heartbreaking realization of hopelessness and despair in twilight the album kind of flatlines after that reaching almost no pulse at little one which is barely even formed and then distorted reality is like this beam of light coming down ending with that piano line carrying off into a place we cant reach for an unfinished album basement on a hill is remarkable poetic and it is one of the best examinations of death it really feels almost like a concept album about elliotts own death which makes it hard to listen to but i love it all the same
I had no idea, thanks for the heads up!
so hard to rank Elliott for me. I think I can say with decent certainty that Figure 8 is my least favorite album, even though it's still amazing, but I just can't pick a favorite. I tend to prefer the lo-fi acoustic Elliott from his early career, but King's Crossing will be forever his best song in my opinion. One of the best to ever do it. nice vid.
is that how you say it pitseleh? omygot thank you never heard anyone say it out loud. thank you
i am very disappointed about your opinion on the biggest lie, considering it is my personal favorite elliott smith song, but i like this video
i gotta disagree with this list almost entirely. Either Or must be his best album. Pictures Of Me is one of my absolute favorite songs. It's got the Getting Better (beatles) rhythm, the chorus is so aggressive and punk yet so poppy and catchy. I saw someone say in the comments that the lyrics are weak? "Everybody's dying just to get the disease" is like the coolest friggin lyric in his discog. I do agree with your placing of From A Basement On The Hill however, for that is my second favorite. I always thought of elliott as a rock star even on his folky albums. But for me, figure 8 and roman candle definitely are his weakest. The songs just don't stand up to Either Or, XO, Basement or the Self Titled. There's my opinion. sorry for ranting. Good video.
I agree about Drive all over town being kinda lame in comparison to tbe beauty of the first four tracks