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intereact!Elliott Smith
Retail Price (not our price): $17.98
Release Date: 2004-10-19
Manufacturer: Anti
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...
| Disc 1 |
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
Posthumous releases fall into two categories: those which the artist was working on at the time of their death, and those which are gathered from every nook and cranny to keep fans enthused and cash registers ringing. Elliott Smith's from a basement on the hill is of the former variety. It was close to completion at the time of his untimely death. Over the course of the set's 15 songs, Smith's powerful songwriting and production skills are shown in their full breadth. From thickly interlocked chordal guitar riffs ("Coast to Coast") to shimmering melancholia ("A Fond Farewell"), the songs are each brought to their own particular focus by whatever means were most appropriate. There are lush background vocals, keyboard washes, pounding rhythms, and heart rending balladry. This disc is a sad goodbye to richly emotive artist. --David Greenberger2) Album Description
Elliott Smith has been a patron saint of the indie scene since his days helming Portland heroes Heatmiser. As a solo artist, his fondness for Beatlesque melody led to some of the most beautifully orchestrated pop of the last decade. This is his final recording, which found him returning to an edgier, guitar-driven sound, alongside his trademark heart-rending balladry. MUZE Notes: Elliott Smith's death in 2003 left a cavernous hole in the world of popular music. Tender, intimate, and painfully honest, the songs in Smith's catalogue capture the fragility of human existence with rare, breathtaking beauty. On his first posthumous release, Smith reaffirms his status as an extraordinarily gifted artist, giving fans yet another reason to mourn his tragic loss. Conceived as an ambitious double album, FROM A BASEMENT ON THE HILL was ultimately narrowed down to 15 tracks by Smith's close friends, producer Rob Schnapf (Beck's MELLOW GOLD, Smith's X/O) and musician Joanna Bolme (the Minders, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks). The result is a heartbreaking collection of songs that plays like a retrospective of Smith's entire career. "Strung Out Again" reflects the early edge of ROMAN CANDLE; "Last Hour" recalls the bittersweet melodies of ELLIOTT SMITH; "A Fond Farewell" is a sad anthem in the tradition of EITHER/OR; "Shooting Star" employs the more polished sound of ! X/O; and "Don't Go Down" is an extension of the more electrified FIGURE 8. Of course, the most haunting aspect of FROM A BASEMENT ON THE HILL is the lyrical content, which is impossible to hear without placing it in the context of Smith's untimely passing.
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) ....a genius taken too soon. [Rating: 4 out of 5]
This is a haunting collection from a true song writing genius. We will never know what he intended for these songs, as the debate about that will live on. We can be thankful for what he gave all of us.Matt Zarnstorff(Wisconsin, USA)2) So good [Rating: 5 out of 5]
There's something different about Elliott Smith's music and I think I figured out what it is. Most songs on the radio have pretty simple tunes and I find I usually can start anticipating the tune and humming along the first time I hear it. But with Elliott's songs I think the melodies are much more complex so they take a few listens to get used to. But once you do, they are amazing! Every album of his I've listened to so far has been the same story. The first time through I feel underwhelmed--like I'm not sure what I just listened to. After about the third time through I really start to catch on and then each subsequent listen just keeps getting better and better. I love almost every song on this album now! So for those of you who think you don't care much for his music, please give it a few listens before you make up your mind. Maybe the reason he's not as popular as he should be is people don't take the time necessary to really absorb his music. Elliott was a genius and I hope someday he'll get the recognition he deserves.3) The could have beens. [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Too long for starters..but perhaps it was a the WHITE ALBUM for him writ small. Twilight was easily the best song on the cd. You could see him finally progressing with his fuller arrangements. Kind of where he left off with the "figure eight" cd, but yet re-instilling what he had going for him in either/or and xo. "Shooting Star" and "Fond Farewell" are certainly keepers. Again, had they pruned off a couple tracks, it may have been his best effort up to date.4) Only a couple of worthy songs on it [Rating: 3 out of 5]
My apologies to all you die hard Elliot Smith fans. I'm a newbie and only liked a couple tracks. He's worth checking out though.5) Through the Looking Glass... [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Like Alice in Wonderland, "From a Basement" leads the listener into a world where things are just slightly askew, but strangely beautiful and awe-inspiring at the same time. "Basement" was my first introduction to Elliott Smith and I was instantly hooked, lured into the music by easily recognizing the heavy influence of The Beatles, and being reminded in more than one cut of the dream-like essence of Pink Floyd. Now here was someone that had my attention ! Of course, by then, Elliott had sadly been long gone. Having gone back and listened to the earlier cds prior to "Basement", I understand why some of his long-time fans were puzzled a bit by this release. It is a break from his traditional style, but does follow the path set by "Figure 8". Each track on "Basement" has its own allure, and you may find that it is a cd that takes multiple listenings before you realize that lyrically and musically it has gotten under your skin and nothing will do except to hear it again and again. A beautiful piece of work, and one that will make you wonder just how far Elliott could have transported us had he not been taken from us way too soon.