I don't know why buy do you ever think of certain people when you are partaking in a specific act? It's like certain people in your life are connected to certain things you do and those thoughts come out when you engage in those specific activities. Connections of the mind if you will. As I write this I listen to Elliott Smith - From a Basement on a Hill. I think of certain people in my life for some reason. Almost like I must do this justice for their sake, make them proud. Even though either way they would not care at all. To me it's a big deal, to my mind...because of that connection of thoughts and memories that all make one big state of individual consciousness. It's just the way the human mind works, for better or worse. This album I listen to right at this moment evokes several feelings throughout. Sadness; yea I know Elliott Smith evoking sadness!?!? How could that be! Loss; being it a posthumous release you can't help but think about death and how he died. Which brings you to Morbidity; As you think about his death your mind can't help but drift along to the specifics of it, (a knife through the heart) and just how ironic and terrible his end was. After you get all of that out of the way and actually listen to the album you are finally free to really explore this amazing piece music and everything it stands for or doesn't without any preconceived notions. Before I start let me stress this is all in good fun and Elliott is a musical genius and really who am I to critique that? Well whether I am worthy or not I am going to give my honest opinion and if you have a problem with that you can lay down on the Cross Bronx during rush hour and count to 1000.
We begin our journey with Coast To Coast. The first thing you notice by about the 2nd measure is there is a ton of production on this song. Now there is no way for us to know whether this is what Elliott wanted (supposedly he left detailed notes behind on how he wanted the rest of the album mixed after he was gone). To me the amount of chorus on his voice and all the effects takes away from the song. My personal opinion of Elliott Smith and all music in general is the least production the better. This is why I loved his earlier albums so much. It was just a man and his guiter. Music at its purest form and most innocent. You are just naked to the audience and every chord and every vibration of every word from you mouth is heard as it was supposed to be. This is ruined on Coast to Coast by a shitload of chorus, reverb, and distortion. The song itself is ok, but I can't get over him sounding like an alien from 1960 in the chorus. It just bothers me. Ok not a good start. Lets go to track 2 and see what happens.
Ah yes! He's back! Vintage Elliott Smith at his finest. Lets get Lost takes you right back to why you loved Elliott in the first place. Everything I just mentioned above and more. The song is mixed very tastefully, no Alien Elliott in the chorus. Just a beautifully done song with a great hook; "Burning every bridge that I cross, to find some beautiful place to get lost." The reason why his music is so powerful is his uncanny knack of making you feel like you are almost getting a sneak peak into his soul. Whether you like him or not, Kurt Cobain had a similar talent. Lets get Lost is one of those very intimate songs short and sweet and to the point. Love it, Love it, Love it. I want more.
Pretty (Ugly Before) is song 3. Another wonderful song. This builds upon Lets get Lost and picks up the pace a bit. Adding piano, electric guitar, bass, and drums, you see the other side of Elliott songs, full band mode almost like a super evolved Heatmiser song from the days of old. As when Elliott songs really impact the listener his lyrics bleed honesty and intimacy but are perfectly balanced with a sweet melodic melody. In this respect, this song hits on all cylinders. With lyrics like "I felt so ugly before, I didn't know what to do," with a simple yet tasteful piano topping. You almost feel like he was on an upswing (lifting his depression)and maybe things wouldn't end the way they did. We will never know.
To Be Continued!
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