This October defines bittersweet for Elliott Smith fans. The month marks the first year since Smith's alleged suicide; those whom he reached with his brilliant, feeling songs had an unhappy anniversary. However, admirers had the long-awaited sixth album to look forward to, a happy remembrance of the artist. Since the announcement of the release date of From A Basement On A Hill, fans may have heard live versions of some of the songs due to be on the album fully orchestrated; many of the titles are pieces Smith had been performing in nightclubs long before the promise of their studio versions.
Smith's solo career began with the 1994 release, Roman Candle. Only nine tracks long, the album introduces Smith's superior guitar work and gentle, appealing voice independent of a band. Harmonizing with himself in every album since his debut, he's experimented with layering both vocal and instrumental tracks, mastering the task of being a solo band.
His posthumous release, nearly complete at the time of his death, further exhibits Smith's talent for arranging, while also exemplifying how his music compliments his lyrics. In the weary "Strung Out Again", a dissonant chord begins the chorus "I know my place, hate my face, I know how I began and how I'll end, strung out again," underscoring the already striking lines.
Smith has earned a reputation for being a depressed artist, but he was truly a funny man with a goofy sense of humor and a charming smile. He'd often joke with his audiences about the temperature of his steamy playing venues, whining "hothothot" in distorted voices in between songs. Smith insisted throughout his career that his seemingly confessional lyrics were simply things he "made up." However, it is impossible to listen to the words of his 15-song final release without considering his death. Songs like "Fond Farewell" and "Last Hour" seem like lyrical goodbyes and the overall tone of the album is like the feel of this October?bittersweet. His humor does, however, make its mark on the latest release?track number 8 is a sound clip of chirping crickets and ostriches.
Smith startles established listeners with an angry tone in some of his latest songs, as well as with a tendency to rock more than on any other album. The album begins with the loud, powerful "Coast to Coast," establishing a new tone right at the start. Some of his biggest musical influences came from classic rock greats, including the Beatles. An unreleased cover of their "Revolution" once let out some of the rocker in Elliott Smith, but no album has ever held so many original rock songs.
The album is peppered, however, with acoustic numbers reminiscent of Smith's earlier days. Some of them are so raw that they sound unmastered, lending even more attention to the natural quality of Smith's voice and the emotion of his strumming fingers and tragic words. Completed and polished by close friends and family, Elliott Smith's From a Basement on the Hill gave everything it promised. He has once again moved his listeners with stunningly beautiful music.
I listened to Elliott Smith's new album a week early, thanks to premature online releases. Intent on making the music a complete experience, my boyfriend and I spent the entirety of From A Basement on the Hill hand in hand, flat on our backs in bed. Not speaking until each track finished, our eyes took in the ceiling tiles while our hearts took in the music.
4 Polar Bears (of 4)