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Active: 655 users

Elliott Smith, and why he is amazing.

Forum Index > General Forum
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CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-03 06:02:43
May 17 2010 21:21 GMT
#1
Seeing as how the last Elliott Smith post was so old and was really quite specific, I thought I would start an Elliott Smith topic, not just to share amazing and intelligent music, but also to encourage people to start listening to music and having a reason to love it.

All too often, people try to be a part of pop culture and listen to everything that everyone else listens to... but nobody is really quite sure whether they like it or not.
The difference between Elliott Smith and so many other people is he writes what he wants, and he does a great job doing it. His ability to write beautiful melodies (honestly, his melodies are some of the most amazing i've ever heard out of ANYONE. Period.) and also match up his lyrics to those melodies is incredible.
One of my favorite songs by him is Tomorrow Tomorrow off of the album "XO"



The reason? First of all, his ability to play his guitar is demonstrated INCREDIBLY in this song. Very few people can play it, let alone sing it while playing. Also, I love the way the song builds up as the story in the lyrics materialize. I specifically love the lyrics towards the end of the song -
"I got static in my head
The reflected sound of everything
Tried to go to where it led
But it didn't lead to anything
The noise is coming out
And if it's not out now
I know it's just about
To drown tomorrow out "

He's probably one of the best acoustic guitarists to ever walk the face of the earth.... Trying to learn to play his songs well is really something that takes a while... His finger picking (adequately demonstrated in songs such as Angeles, Southern Belle, and tomorrow tomorrow) Is quite incredible. But it's not over the top, either. It's exactly the way it needs to be. He's not showing off, he wrote what he liked. He didn't try to be as impressive as he could, he just was. The songs are beautiful and well rounded... And the lyrics match the music so well.
I also happen to love his ability to tune to pretty weird tunings on his guitar. A song that demonstrates this ability very well is the song 'Independence Day' (This song is also amazingly enjoyable to play on Guitar :D )



Also, if you can find it, and want a little light-hearted Elliott Smith comedy, I would encourage watching 'A Strange Parallel.' I dont know about you, but I thought it was hilarious, and kind of showed you what Elliott Smith thought of interviews as well. There is also a robot hand involved. Unfortunately, Part 1 isn't available... I would totally say 'buy it if you can' but i don't think it's available anywhere. This is The ONLY reason I'm posting it. It also gives you some nice versions of songs and it's just a good watch in general.
Here is part 2

Here is part 3

Having to do with 'A Strange Parallel,' the band Elliott Smith played with very often was a band called 'Quasi,' which is still around and making music. They are very weird, but they have grown on me. If you want to listen to them, their Myspace page is http://www.myspace.com/theequasi
I also liked a lot of his older stuff... This is from his Heatmiser days... This is a GREAT song from 1996.

This is a great song from 1995.. A really simple video, but really nostalgic and really a great song with great feeling... another one of my favorites.. my favorite part of the video is the very end.

Here is a song I really like to play on my piano when I just want to relax and chill out when im at home by myself

I love how beautiful his music is when you're playing and singing it to yourself, just letting your mind wander.. Some people may tease me for that, but I'm not ashamed of myself for loving his music as much as I do.
Elliott Smith was an amazing songwriter and an amazing human being..And there is so much more to his music than just these songs, so if you are unfamiliar with his music, but like what you hear, definitely check him out.. you can find his music on Youtube, and you can purchase albums / songs off of itunes (of course...)
The Elliott Smith Official Fan Site is http://sweetadeline.net/ ,where you can find news, unreleased tracks, and a bunch of other stuff. Just go through the forums on the website and you'll find plenty of interesting things.
One of my favorite quotes of his in response to a question referring to song writing, he responded
"Just write the way you want to write. If you like it there has got to be something good about it because you liked it."
I think that's how people should write music... Not expecting anyone to like it, but writing something because they liked it themselves. It's helped me a lot to become a better musician and to be content with just enjoying music and having a love for it. And for that, I am very thankful.
EDIT: roman candle (remastered) & from a basement on the hill (rerelease) out now in n america, australia, and japan!

April 6th, 2010 marks the release of roman candle (remastered) and from a basement on the hill (rerelease) from kill rock stars. please check out your local record store for availability! some fans who pre-ordered the album received the album early and if you were one of the first 300 fans to pre-order either album or both got a free poster of a rare picture of elliott. the poster also advertises both releases by jj gonson. these releases will be on kill rock stars in n america, australia, and japan and are available in 180 gram vinyl, regular vinyl and cd. this also marks the first time roman candle has been released on vinyl for the first time in the u.s.! if you are unable to pick up a copy of roman candle in your hometown in n america, australia, and japan, please order it from kill rock stars' online store by click on either link below:
roman candle - http://www.buyolympia.com/killrockstars/Item=KRS523
basement - http://www.buyolympia.com/killrockstars/Item=KRS524
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
Nal_rAwr
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States2611 Posts
May 17 2010 21:24 GMT
#2
because nony says so
Nony is Bonjwa
Destro
Profile Joined September 2009
Netherlands1206 Posts
May 17 2010 21:26 GMT
#3
CORRECTION:


WAS amazing.
bring back weapon of choice for hots!
yh8c4
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
108 Posts
May 17 2010 21:27 GMT
#4
i found out about elliott smith after hearing him on a sc stream from here and spending quite some time catching a specific enough part of the lyrics to google him

my favourite (by miles):


New Disaster
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 21:31:28
May 17 2010 21:30 GMT
#5
On May 18 2010 06:26 Destro wrote:
CORRECTION:


WAS amazing.


Ok, so he's dead. But his music IS still amazing. So i prefer to use present tense.

And absolutely, New Disaster is an incredible song. I can't really tell you my favorite songs by him because I really like a lot of them for different reasons... I just used these ones because they were in my head at the time of making this thread
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
LordWeird
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States3411 Posts
May 17 2010 21:31 GMT
#6
Very awesome music. Thanks for pointing me in his direction.
Chains none
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
May 17 2010 21:35 GMT
#7
On May 18 2010 06:31 LordWeird wrote:
Very awesome music. Thanks for pointing me in his direction.


Your very welcome and by the way, if you followed the link to the fan site, it's 'Sweetadeline.net'
i go to the website all the time, i dont know why i put .com... it's fixed now but sorry if you followed that and were confused at the location
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
Master Shaman
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States57 Posts
May 17 2010 21:35 GMT
#8
On May 18 2010 06:30 CtrLZerG wrote:
i prefer to use present tense.


I'd prefer this in the past participial tense.
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 21:40:36
May 17 2010 21:37 GMT
#9
On May 18 2010 06:35 Master Shaman wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 18 2010 06:30 CtrLZerG wrote:
i prefer to use present tense.


I'd prefer this in the past participial tense.

alright, alright.. My mistake. I fixed what I could, but unfortunately, I can't fix the topic name. My apologies.
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
floor exercise
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada5847 Posts
May 17 2010 21:40 GMT
#10
I would prefer it in the pluperfect subjunctive tense
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 21:46:45
May 17 2010 21:42 GMT
#11
On May 18 2010 06:40 floor exercise wrote:
I would prefer it in the pluperfect subjunctive tense


IE, Elliott Smith, and why he once felt quite amazing?

Anyways, i fixed the youtube links, and I made everything (with the exception of the topic name) past tense. You guys happy?
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
mrmin123 *
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Korea (South)2971 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 21:47:40
May 17 2010 21:46 GMT
#12
Related topic: Nick Drake

edit: I probably should add more to this... Elliot Smith is nice and if you're looking for something similar be sure to check out Nick Drake.
Translator태양은 묘지위에 붉게 떠오르고 / 한낮에 찌는 더위는 나의 시련 일찌라!
s.a.y
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
Croatia3840 Posts
May 17 2010 21:49 GMT
#13
On May 18 2010 06:46 mrmin123 wrote:
Related topic: Nick Drake

edit: I probably should add more to this... Elliot Smith is nice and if you're looking for something similar be sure to check out Nick Drake.


i feel that Nick Drake has better instrumental playing, but Smith has amazing lyrics
I am not good with quotes
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 21:54:24
May 17 2010 21:50 GMT
#14
On May 18 2010 06:46 mrmin123 wrote:
Related topic: Nick Drake


I was considering bringing him up in this thread, but decided not too. He's also awesome. I have probably 50 songs of his on my iPod.
He uses a lot of really cool tunings as well, using cluster chords on the guitar to give it a very unique, almost acoustic - jazzy kind of feel.
Though I wouldn't say Elliott Smith is 'jazz influenced' per say, he does use a lot of really interesting chords... many of which I've brought into my own style of play... The out of key chord in in 'Between the Bars' in the chorus when he says 'That you don't want around anymore ....' is a really interesting touch and display of his ability to write songs really well, keeping them interesting as always
Also, I would say Elliott Smiths harder songs are definitely more difficult to play than Nick Drake songs...
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
Jibba
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States22883 Posts
May 17 2010 21:53 GMT
#15


Must listen^
ModeratorNow I'm distant, dark in this anthrobeat
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8748 Posts
May 17 2010 21:54 GMT
#16
My favorite by far!
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
May 17 2010 21:58 GMT
#17
On May 18 2010 06:53 Jibba wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezerLW5jPwI

Must listen^


Absolutely an amazing song. One of his most interesting.... And you've also further proven my point. There are so many different reasons to love Elliott Smith... I kind of like this song in a similar way that I like 'Roman Candle,' very different to the reason I like songs like Independence Day or Tomorrow Tomorrow.
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
CCGaunt
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States417 Posts
May 17 2010 22:01 GMT
#18
I am so glad the title wasn't "and why he sucks". He's a great artist.
Take me to Korea
jonich0n
Profile Joined February 2009
United States1982 Posts
May 17 2010 22:02 GMT
#19
yeah, he's great. such a shame about his death... too soon... also bummed I never had the chance to see him live since he came from my hometown. :/
(>'.')>
CtrLZerG
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States104 Posts
May 17 2010 22:03 GMT
#20
On May 18 2010 07:01 CCGaunt wrote:
I am so glad the title wasn't "and why he sucks". He's a great artist.


lol yea, I kind of wish that the topic wasn't cut off right there..... Taking things out of context can be dangerous!
"If you write what you like, there's got to be something good about it, because you liked it" - Elliott Smith "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
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