Each Sunday, Pitchfork takes an in-depth look at a significant album from the past, and any record not in our archives is eligible. In a interview with Melody Maker , Elliott Smith told a story from his childhood. Immediately, he is transfixed by the power of the remote control: This button makes the sound burst from the speaker and this one silences it.

Navigation menu

Elliott Smith
The first night at the Crocodile in Seattle, I didn't pay too much attention and people talked all thru Elliott's set. Sean Croghan got up next and said "all of you people who just talked through Elliott's set are bummed because you just misssed something very very special. Instead of watching the rest of the performers, I went out to the tour van and popped Roman Candle into the player, and listened to it on endless repeat for the rest of the evening and beyond. It completely blew my mind. I have never heard music as heartwrenchingly, gut-checkingly honest, intimate, and wise - before or since. I felt by reducing these noises that the music would become more inviting and the sound would serve the songs better. When I went to Roger Seibel's SAE Mastering, he proceeded to equalize the tracks a small amount and to make the volume slightly louder. It was recorded at Jackpot! Recording Studio in by Larry Crane.
Listen to “Some Song” From New Archival Elliott Smith Live Album
Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska , raised primarily in Texas , and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon , where he first gained popularity. Smith's primary instrument was the guitar, though he also played piano, clarinet , bass guitar, drums, and harmonica. Smith had a distinctive vocal style, characterized by his "whispery, spiderweb-thin delivery", [6] and often used multi-tracking to create vocal layers, textures, and harmonies. In , he signed a contract with DreamWorks Records , for which he recorded two albums.
We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. His musical palette expanded over time, from the hushed acoustic guitar demos of his solo debut, Roman Candle, to the orchestrated studio craftsmanship of his fifth album, 's Figure 8. Still, all were distinguished by a vulnerable demeanor conveyed by intense but wispy vocals often double-tracked and personal lyrics that referred candidly to subjects like addiction, depression, and alienation. His music's character was also shaped by artful chord transitions, which he called his favorite part of songs.