Elliott Smith - Elliott Smith ALBUM REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Listen: elliottsmith.b...
Elliott Smith's self-titled sophomore album is a devastating masterpiece of indie folk.
More classic reviews: • Classics
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ELLIOTT SMITH / 1995 / KILL ROCK STARS / SINGER-SONGWRITER
CLASSIC/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?
One of my absolute favorite albums ever. Not a single weak track, in my opinion.
what do you think of either/or and is it tournament legal
Love your vids! You’re a hero and keep up the good work.
love ur videos cool to know ur an elliott smith fan
I always knew you were cool
It’s such an easy album to produce, few instruments. Not sure why this is considered so great
I had hoped against hope we would finally get an Elliott Smith review for classics week this year. Thank you
profile picture checks out
Whaddaya like Elliott Smith or something
among us
As did I! Very pleased
So good
elliott is my #1 artist of all time and i’m absolutely stoked to see you reviewing this.
also shouts out for singling out coming up roses for how catchy it is, it’s straight up infectious
❤️❤️❤️
Same.
The older I get the more I wish people were familiar with Elliotts work. Got me through some of my hardest times. An absolute underrated song writer and guitar player. In my opinion should be revered as one of the greats. Glad this is being reviewed. R.I.P Elliott Smith
Amen to that.
Also, street spirit is quite possibly my favorite Radiohead song.
How is he underrated? He’s one of the most critically acclaimed and popular singer songwriters of all time
? He literally is held in the highest regard and seen as one of the greats already...
I remember the first time I heard Between the Bars, it was when I first saw the film *Stuck in Love*. I fell in love with it because of the melancholic tone. Then I saw the film *Good Will Hunting* and again found out that Smith had written and performed all the source music, especially the Academy nominated song Miss Misery. I had always been a fan, but only really took the time to dive into him in December of 2019, days before New Years. I was in Mexico with my parents, just the three of us. As they drove, I had the goal of listening to three albums on my trip: Circles by Mac Miller, Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths, and Either/Or by Elliott Smith. Either/Or was the most intricate of them all. As I read the lyrics online and tried to understand them all, I gave up because the lyrics to some of the songs were so well articulated through some sense of poetic lingo that I feared I may never understand them. Elliott Smith really impacted my life because he was a man who had so much tears to shed and pity to show for himself but chose not to. Instead, he played his pain into his guitar and wrote his heart into his songs. Truly unique and truly one of the greatest songwriters.
bruh he is reviewing this for classics week, its not underrated.
You know an album is amazing when the comments are actually talking about the music.
Just in time for seasonal depression. Fantastic album
@aloevv𖤐 😂
Jokes on you, my seasonal depression kicked in two months ago.. 😭
Seasonal depression? Probably one of the most Bourgeois construct I’ve ever heard.
@@brandlessheadphones what
@@brandlessheadphones well I’m poor as fuck so get your bourgeois academia out of here and allow me to be a lil happier in the summertime where at least I’m poor AND warm
This shit is timeless, same with all his other work. Elliott was a genius. Got me through some of my darkest moments. He deserved better when he was still around
it's nearly been 20 years and i still miss him. man deserved better in life. I was going through some difficult times not too long ago staring loneliness in the face and his song Waltz #2 (XO) helped me get through all that. RIP elliott smith.
XO mom, its ok, its alright, nothing's wrong...
@aloevv𖤐 Jill yourself
I never seen someone refer to loneliness having a face r u that lonely that u have to imagine a face... Nah im just bustin ur balls man
@aloevv𖤐 ^tf
Absolutely gorgeous song, and devastating when you know what it’s about. Definitely my favorite along with King’s Crossing
happy to see elliott make it to classics week, especially with this project that i feel like is often overshadowed by either/or and XO. they’re all amazing projects but this one is so subtly brilliant and beautiful and his lyrics are so mesmerisingly haunting, i adore it. happy to see you give it the props it absolutely deserves
elliott smith is the greatest singer-songwriter of all time and i'll die on that hill
You don’t even have to die on the hill, it’s just an objective fact
He was really the entire package. Guitar playing, singing, writing. Nobody else even comes close
I got your back
its bob dylan
@@syverholm645 I love bob dylan. He’s an absolute poet but he doesn’t compare to Elliott smith’s singing and guitar playing.
a girl literally JUST lent me this album on CD to use in my car, i had literally never heard it before. can't stop listening to it every time i drive somewhere.
i don't even believe you just uploaded this review 😭 ily anthony
ur living my dream
marry the woman
@@albin3455 ^^
That’s a gift! Awesome, and same.
St. Ives heaven has the most beautiful harmonized vocals.
I haven't seen the review but the fact alone that you reviewed Elliott (no matter what album, because he has no bad albums) is a BIG w
Edit: seen it, was great, I luv u
bro it hasnt even been 30 minutes, why you already editing?!?
Elliott Smith is my favorite solo artist of all-time. While this album certainly isn't my favorite in his amazing discography, I have a strong appreciation for it and I'm glad you got an opportunity to finally discuss one of his albums. I hope we might get some more in the future
@aloevv𖤐 a pretty good in between track would be Independence Day off XO. Amazing guitar performance and great lyrics.
Also if your looking for something stripped back. The song last call off of Roman candle has a very unique vibe/sound. It’s a personal favourite of mine.
@aloevv𖤐 been busy but also wanted to give you a thorough answer.
Plainclothes Man is actually from his Heatmiser days, but his solo performance of it is so heartbreaking, it's what I wrote on his Figure 8 mural in LA.
A lot of what people said on here is a good start but I adore a lot of his more "hidden gems" like Angeles, Everything Reminds Me of Her, A Fond Farewell, Somebody That I Used to Know, Alameda, oof, the list is seemingly endless.
But his early version of Miss Misery, his cover of Thirteen, Placeholder, even more heartbreakingly beautiful music. That's a lot but hopefully that helps 😅
@aloevv𖤐 Kings crossing, Twilight, the biggest lie are some of my personal favourites
@aloevv𖤐 say yes, rose parade, baby britain, angeles, pictures of me
Its a cover, but there's a live video on yt of elliott doing 'Waterloo Sunset by the kinks on some show in the 90s and its fantastic.
Totally wasn't expecting this one. This is seriously one of the best singer/ songwriter albums of all time. His way of playing the acoustic guitar is incredible. Definitely recommend One Foot In the Grave by Beck if anyone likes this album !
There's a User on here Poofie Baku who copied and pasted your comment here on this same exact video, then got more likes than you did, just thought you should know.
@@LegitimateEpicTV haha thanks for letting me know. At least the man is preaching the word
One of my favourite albums, pretty much a flawless collection of songs, but Alphabet Town will never not be a mini-masterpiece to me. The groove, the backslap of the strum, the chord progression, the chorus. Even JUST the lyricism when you work out how much he's playing with drug metaphors cryptically describing a relationship between junkies without telling you *anything* about it, almost like he's coding his anecdotal experience so it doesn't piss his companion off - "You threw up whatever she shot down" - just absolutely incredible
Thanks for turning me onto this record. I have heard his name dozens of times but never dove in. Needle in the Hay is just haunting - the refrain and of course the story. It moves me deeply. Agree 100% on the darkness - it has a deep pain that shows through. Given the opioid crisis as it is today, sadly, this album drives home a point.
100% the themes on this album are still as relevant today as they were when this came out
Love this album. St Ides Heaven will always be one of my favorite songs ever
that song always gets to me
The chorus is just incredible
Now I have to go and listen to it again
Mine too, love the downtuned guitar
I’ve been slowly getting into Elliott Smith for a bit, I think it’s time to give this album a full listen
Elliott hits best when your life is falling apart in some way and you need to process everything. Hardest period of my life solidified my love for Elliott, helped me get through it in a way music has no right to do (as well as mac Miller)
@@seancarterx interestingly, both worked with Jon Brion. I wasn’t into Mac at first and I don’t think most of his music hits that way, but his later stuff… I get why Jon was drawn to him
@@coreyaruecker yo you’re a real one for knowing about the secret sauce of Jon brion! He’s my favorite producer and someone I look up to a lot for my own music and singer songwriter work. Absolutely agree on macs later stuff hitting different. The older stuff is more for nostalgia than anything (I listened to his first couple album religiously in middle/high school) but swimming & circles were created in a whole different plane of artistry IMO. Jon brion deserves a lot of credit for both validating and nurturing the more vulnerable and melodic side of mac’s musical sensibilities. Who knows whether or not we would’ve gotten what we did if he didn’t
Didn’t expect to see elliott smith on classics week, he’s been my favorite artist since middle school and has got me through a lot. Glad his work is still so appreciated.
Elliott's lyricism & intimacy is unmatched. Truly a tour de force.
My depression in high school made me feel alienated and crippled, and this album helped me so much back then. Made me feel like i wasn't alone going through all that shit. One of the best albums of all time imo :)
Elliott Smith deserves more recognition as his work is pure masterpieces.
He really did deserve more recognition but im not sure if he couldve handled it yk. he was already struglling a lot more in 2003 so im not sure hpw it wouldve ended if he would be at nirvana's level or sum.
@@sachauittenbogaard2778 this feels like too much of a parasocial sentiment but i do wonder if he knew *just* how much so many people loved him and his music whether it would have made a difference in his mental health
This is actually the best classics week you’ve ever done.
facts, only two deep as well
I remember searching for an Elliott Smith review after I became an avid viewer of Anthony and there's just something about this feeling of finally getting something you hoped that makes me happy
FINALLY! Been waiting for such a long time to hear you review an Elliott Smith record for classics week. Would still love to hear a review of Either/Or, but very happy to see this one. XO
Roman Candle and Figure 8 are my favorites from him, thanks so much for reviewing him seems like such a weird coincidence as I just watched his documentary and have been on a crazy Elliott kick recently. My boyfriend loves your channel:)
Great commentary melon. Elliott Smith was my college go-to, helped me through some dark times. Would love to see you do an Elliott Smith discography ranking!
Love Elliott Smith as a whole. Have listened to all his records, even Basement On A Hill. I do personally like Roman Candle the most though. That one is so raw yet intricate and intimate with certain feelings.
How would you compare basement on a hill to his other projects?
@@milesbandy2455 from a basement on the hill is his darkest album imo. It was Elliott’s final album and it was incomplete at the time of his death. The album has more of a psychedelic and chaotic sound. It’s a bit less poppy than his other albums. “King’s Crossing” is absolutely haunting and one of my favorite songs of his. You should definitely check it out. He is my all time favorite artist
planning on listening to every album you review this year
gotta keep us updated how that goes for u
@@gavinmahoney5402 I've been doing it for years. I check out almost every album he reviews. He introduced me to so much great music, and then spotify recommended more music based on that. So I'm very grateful for what Melon is doing for so long
@aloevv𖤐 I guess there's always two ways of looking at things
Elliott Smith has an undoubtedly flawless discography
If he reviews the Lonesome Crowded West this week I will cry.
I used to go see him like every week back in tiny clubs in NYC the mid/late 90s. The last time I saw him was in 1998 opening for Beck, he looked so small on that huge stage.
I was alive for only 5 years when he died and I have so much admiration for him that it sometimes feels crazy to think we ever walked the earth at the same time. How lucky to have been able to see him not just once but so many times
It’s one of those albums that’s so perfect in its sadness that it will make you just as sad and depressed even if you’re completely happy and content with life. There should be a warning label on this album
That’s why Elliott hits best when you’re going through a rough time. The musical-emotional symmetry is unparalleled and highly cathartic
Really the best songwriter there ever was. So nice to see all the love in the comments.
I'm more of an XO fellow, but damn every album of his is a masterpiece. Got me through some dark, dark moments.
Holy shit, Tony's covering Elliott!! I'm so glad you picked this one too. Don't get me wrong, Either/Or and XO are amazing, but the super intimate vibe of this one makes it my favorite from him (and also my 2nd favorite singer-songwriter album behind Illinois by Sufjan Stevens).
I absolutely adore Elliott's music. Either/Or and this album are undoubtedly his best ones in my opinion. He was one of my go-to artists during my freshman year of high school, his music helped me through anxiety I experienced at that time. Thankfully, I have gotten better at managing my anxiety over time, but I still have not lost my love for Elliott's work.
You did a really good job breaking down this album's lyrical content, especially how ambiguous the lyrics come off on multiple songs. His musical evolution from there was also fascinating, and so is the influence he has left on other artists in this indie singer/songwriter lane, including veterans such as Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes and Sufjan Stevens, as well as new younger artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief.
As always, great review, keep up the good work!
the harmonica on Alphabet town hits different
Angeles by Elliot Smith was in my favorite movie of all time. The Girl Next Door (2004) with Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, and Timothy Olyphant
The way he intentionally avoids giving any praise to Either/Or is so annoying to me
Love the song Coming Up Roses, very Beatles-esque. Great pick!
so happy to see you review Elliott :’) this album is one of my favorites & is SO dang timeless. lyricism aside, it’s such a beautiful album that i’ll never get over!
My life is complete now that there is an Elliott Smith review on classics week. Thanks Anthony!
Elliott Smith is amazing, taken from us too soon. May he rest in peace
I do love hearing Melon talk about a Nebraska music legend like Elliott! The tone and mood of his music encapsulated the loneliness and anger one gets being lost in Nebraska country gravel roads.
The lyrics are also pretty heavily influenced by the drug fueled environment around him in Portland
Didn't he spend most of his life in Portland?
Falling out on 6th and Powell is the quintessential Portland experience. He's one of ours.
Born in Nebraska, raised in Texas but lived most of his life in Portland
Elliott was technically born in Nebraska, but his parents moved to Texas when he was really young. Like 6 months old IIRC, so he wouldn't have had any memories of living there. He later moved to the NE briefly for college and then later to Portland.
very happy to see anthony pick elliotts self titled, has to be my fav from his discog
Getting this on vinyl was one of the best things ever. Love the purple vinyl.
I had to pre order it as soon as I heard about it! I love it. Does yours have like little greenish flecks on it too? Thought that was a cool touch (even if it was a manufacturer error or something haha)
@@Drew.Anderson wait was there a reprint??
I found a first edition of this from a record store, fastest purchase I've ever made
Holy crap. I expected Either/Or, but Self Titled is incredible too! Elliot was easily a top 5 songwriter.
I spent many of my college days being depressed while listening to this album. Thanks for reviewing it, Melon
hello nick drake
what else were you into at that time?
ive been waiting for an elliott smith classsic review all my life
Thanks for reviewing this. Honestly wish could listen to it more but it does bring one back to a very dark time. Beautiful album, maybe the most beautiful dark music ever.
One of the greatest things I love about Elliott's music is it how completely bitter, nasty and hostile his lyrics are. They are equally viscous whether aimed at himself or other people. Reminds me of how nasty Dylan was at times.
I discovered Elliott in May of 2021 and what an artist he was. I cry a lot to his music, and I am known by many people as someone who does not get in touch with my emotions. I bottle everything up and explode when anything goes wrong in my life. I love you Elliott, and thank you Melon for reviewing my favorite album of all time.
It would be so cool if fantano did one of these classic reviews a week, there’s definitely enough classics out there to do it
I discovered Elliot’s music quite late, actually last year. He became my number one played artist on Spotify in 2021 and one of the most inspiring singer songwriters for me.
Yes- you finally did Elliott! I remember requesting NIN and Elliott for
Classics Week on one of your streams like over a year ago- and you finally did both!!
Prefer this album over Either/Or, one of my all time favorites
Listening to music helped me identify my depression when I was younger. I owe him so much for creating music that you could find comfort in when you felt so low. He's the only reason why I ever picked up a guitar.
i’ve never been this simultaneously happy and sad from a youtube notification in my life
I've been waiting years for you to do an Elliott Smith record, and you just go and pick my favorite one. Way to come through, Fantano.
Nice to see one of the greatest songwriters of all time get some recognition. Anyone who hasn't heard Elliotts music is just missing out.
if you're seeing this and haven't listened to Elliott Smith before, just listen to his whole discography in order, it's perfect, it changes and evolves, it covers so many moods (although mostly melancholy), it's really just sublime. My absolute favorite artist.
Elliott Smith's self-titled album is truly wonderful. It is at the same time a biographical album and a concept album, where the production is seamless with the content of the songs. When there is a guitar or drums in a song, it sounds as though he found somewhere to crash that had the instruments lying around. The songs feel like you are inside his head as he goes through his life. Today, I don't know if someone like him would ever get noticed. There are absurd qualifications ascribed to 'indie' music now. Musicians must, with no exceptions, fit in to at least one protected class, and certain criteria disqualifies some applicants immediately. All demos must be submitted to 'industry standard' specs, i.e., they must be practically ready for release with a massive audience ready to receive them. An album in this stage would never see the light of day at the moment.
It was a different time. One before the widespread use of the internet. One with non-ironic filament lightbulbs, payphones, rotary phones in some cases, roller rinks, newspapers, wooden televisions, etc. Here, everyone is too connected, too self-conscious, too concerned with fame, and too sensitive to trends. I mean, can this many people really be famous without a collapse in society? There are probably musicians who can take modern culture and make it interesting. If there are, I would like to know about them.
Adrianne Lenker m'dude
@@TraeBeneck Never heard of him, m'dude.
@@TraeBeneck I gave it a listen. It's ok. Sounds like standard alt country to me. Doesn't hold a candle to Elliott Smith.
@@thedobermans 3 minutes ain't enough m'dude. I'd recommend listening to her album called "songs." It's relatively similar to ES self titled in vibes but still very distinctive. I don't think she's nearly as good as Elliott ofc, but she's the closest I've found so far. You don't need to be the GOAT to still be special
@@TraeBeneck It wasn't interesting enough for me to do that. It was like a cross between Bob Dylan and Temple Grandin. No thanks.
so sick youp picked Elliott! and it is interesting you pick this record. respect.
One of the best singer songwriters of all time! Buzzing you reviewer this for sure my favourite Elliott album and one of my favourite albums of all time
Was not expecting an Elliott Smith review. Best songwriter of all time
Have listened to this album many many times and never really thought of some of the things you mentioned in this video, so it was really nice hearing some fresh opinions on it, Elliott is one of my all time favourite musicians
Either/or and XO are already classics, so it’s insane that this record still triumphs over both of them. Elliott truly was a one of a kind talent.
Been hoping for an Elliott classic week review for years, so happy you got around to it!!
omg thank youuu!!! this album is on constant rotation.
My favorite Elliott Smith album is X/O, followed by Figure 8, but I don't think I've ever given his other stuff as much of a chance. I'll bump them up the priority list.
thank you, melon, for this one! elliott is my absolute all time favourite artist.
Needle in the Hay makes me cry every time I hear it
This album is so good that I can’t even choose a favorite track, they’re all 10/10
I like Needle In The Hay. It’s strikingly dark
It's either Satellite or The White Lady Loves You More for me
Gotta be St. Ide’s Heaven
@@TheMarkoPolo2011 holy shit I feel the exact same
Clementine is amazing
Was just listening to this album last night, what a coincidence.
Im glad youre dedicating classics week to the rest of Elliotts discography, thank you melony.
Elliott Smith became my favorite Singer/Songwriter very quickly after discovering him. Making tutorials for his songs, I always notice how cleverly written and complex his songs are while still beeing super catchy.
There is no better song to cry yourself to sleep to than Needle In The Hay
I've been a fan of Elliott since the mid to late 90s and I've collected and listened to just about all of his output. He is on my "Rushmore" of music artists.
So it's always funny to me how I can be such a fan and yet dislike Needle in the Hay sooo much. Does that revoke my fandom? Lol...
I do feel like I am the only ES fan that doesn't like that song. I didn't like it in Royal Tennenbaums either.
most curious scene is that self-titled album is prophetic entirely. He wasn't a junkie in any capacity when doing this album.
Yay. Elliott will always be one of the most important musicians in my life
I was obsessed with Either/Or for a while, but could never get into any of his other works. But the thing I like the most about Fantano is his ability to make me love new music, so I'll definitely spin this one again later
Self titled took me the longest to get into. I've considered it his best album for a while, even though I think it's some of his less accessible music. Maybe accessibility wasn't the point.
I really hope you decide to do more elliott reviews, elliott came to me at such a hard time during my life and was just the light at the end of the tunnel. This is seriously my second favorite elliott album for good reason, it is so amazing and whenever I hear any song from it I just can go back to better times.
Been looking for a good entry point to his work but didn’t want to just dive it haphazardly. This seems like a good starting point. Thanks.
so glad you're reviewing elliott smith! have been watching your channel for years and always hoped to see a review, elliott is definitely one of my favorite artists of all time and his lyrics as well as songwritting is genius!
Finally. Thank you for reviewing one of my favorites, such an intimate album.
We miss you, Elliott
🎈
The biggest lie is so incredibly haunting, one of my favorite tracks of all time.
I have been waiting for this day to come
Also Needle in the Hay sounds in The Royal Tenenbaums in the bathroom scene. It's a very powerful moment of the film. That Wes Anderson and Elliott Smith combination is just something else
You’re so wise to pick this record from his discography. Thank you!
3rd Best Elliott album still a classic ong
how did he make something so potent and lucid while being so messed up with drugs and mental health problem. I can barely play an e chord straight sober. he had an amazing gift or something. I love his music
i love this album so much
I’m so excited to see Elliot getting a review!
holy shit i just listened to this and it's fantastic
been waiting for a melon review on an Elliott Smith record
This is the best Elliott Smith album, great pick for classics week!
IVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR AN ELLIOTT SMITH REVIEW THANK YOU KING
An absolutely perfect album. My favorite of all time.
Fantano could you review a Sunny Day Real Estate album?