Premature Evaluation: Elliott Smith - New Moon
It'd be tragic if Elliott Smith became indie rock's Tupac. After the initial excitement of a new, unreleased chapter had passed, From A Basement On The Hill felt alien. That won't happen with New Moon: Its two-dozen spare, achy, candlelit songs, recorded between 1994-1997, are immediately at home with vintage Kill Rock Stars Smith, the period we've always liked best (apologies XO and Figure 8 maniacs).
Respect to Larry Crane, archivist of Smith's estate, who handled and mixed the material with care—he rarely tweaks too noticeably (bumps in the night remain). It's a pristine, profoundly human sound. As anyone who saw Smith play live knows, the last thing the guy needed was polish, so it's a pleasure to listen to something as raw as the hushed midnight prayers of "Placeholder" (hear the intake of air toward the end?).
The unfortunately titled first "single," "High Times," which conjures a pack of hippies appraising sweet bud, is one of the denser tracks, though it's not that dense. The liner notes (yes, tech notes!) point out that the drums are only "doubled snare (with the throw off loose) and ride cymbal." Much of the collection's even more skeletal (see closer "Half Right" or his straight-to-tape take on Big Star's "Thirteen").
Hardcore collectors own versions of some tracks via bootlegs, but even the president of the Elliott Smith fan club will find surprises like the superbly pop (entirely catchy), sunny-sad "All Cleaned Out" ("I saw you with your makeup runnin' down / now what's that all about? / You say you don't want anyone around, because you're all cleaned out...") or the gorgeously fragile "Miss Misery," sporting a different set of lyrics than the later version: "But it's all right / because some enchanted night, I'll be with you." The list of highlights is as endless as two discs will allow: "Whatever (Folk Song In C)," "Go By," etc.
After Smith's death, it's easy to read everything he ever did through that (still undetermined) final act. The breathtaking suddenly becomes heartbreaking. The strength of this release, the beauty of absorbing so many new angles, should go a long way to transcending those simplifications: Because for lack of a better word, New Moon feels very much alive.
New Moon is out 5/8 on Kill Rock Stars.
Posted at 1:52 PM in Premature Evaluation
Tags: Elliott Smith
This album was very unexpected for me. I expected it to be polished like a Modest Mouse radio hit, but instead the scratches, breathing, and movement is more detailed. I'm really proud of Larry Crane for knowing what needed to be done. This truly is a fantastic tribute and a flawless classic with natural shape.
PS: Check out the URL friends, you can find "it" there soon...
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I haven't heard this yet, because I'm waiting for the release, but I'm glad you have nothing but positive things to say about this. I'm a huge Elliott Smith fan, and this release is incredibly exciting, and will be one of my favorites of the year.
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I don't know by who's authority you say Basement feels alien. After two years with it, I'd say it feels as homey as any of his other ones.
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www.xanga.com/noiseburrow
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Please stop promoting the free downloading of an album whose proceeds largely go to Outside In, a very deserving charity that Elliott supported.
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this album is, not surprisingly, very very good.
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Caleb B., ur a fuckwad. Basically stealin from a charity? Way to man up, dude.
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High Times is an outstanding song. Glad to see it get a legitimate release.
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Please, dude. He's just getting a good cd around! But it for yourself and stop putting your morals on everyone else...
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thanks for the link
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really good stuff!
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well, i think you'll find most smith fans have already had the large majority of these tracks for a while now. there's no need to yell at caleb...you could find this quite easily elsewhere. i've been listening to this as 'from a basement on the hill 2' for, what, two years now? that said, i still plan to buy it on may eighth, because i love elliott smith, and it's a worthy cause.
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have had this in heavy rotation on my itunes since monday. listening to this just made me remember everything i loved about elliott smith and why i miss him so much. definitely going to buy this when it comes out.
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Ellllliotttttt. I decided to wait for the official release date on this one. It shall be a wonderful May 8th.
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An incredible collection of songs.
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See you later, if I see you at all!
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From A Basement on the Hill is gold; especially the extremely deserving and experimental out takes may never see a release like this.
See You in Heaven, Stickman, etc.
Come on now.
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i've had the bootlegs for a while, but i can't wait to hear how it sounds on CD.
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I usually dont post shit on these damn blogs but here it goes: Im a fan, and a musician, personally i dont think illegal downloading is wrong at all, im still gonna buy New Moon but its kinda hard doin that when youre over seas and theres no record shops that sell it.
Honestly, if elliott had a say in any of this shit all hed want is for people to enjoy his fucking music.
peace out
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Elliot Smiths songs wil live for ever, his beautiful soul was full of gracious goodness that is untaintable
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ok, we got some more emails. comments fixed.
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