XO
by Elliott Smith

From Brad1770 TOP 100 COMMENTER 02/22/2019 02:27 | #232322 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

To fully appreciate and understand 'XO' context is really important

The 'XO' journey really begins the year prior in 1997 with Smiths break through release 'Either/Or'as well as his appearance on the Good Will Hunting Soundtrack ("Miss Misery") and with their release the genie was out of the bottle - Smith was suddenly huge outside of the Portland area. Clearly the shy and reserved Smith struggled with his new found notoriety as his drinking , drug use and depression spiralled out of controlled around this same time , eventually friends and family would perform an intervention in Chicago resulting in Smith departing Portland and relocating to Brooklyn New York. Much of 'XO' was written around this tumultuous time in Smiths life

Fast forward to 1998 and much the much of the angst Smith was feeling the year prior comes pouring out on 'XO' most notably in "Everybody Cares Everybody Understands" questioning the wisdom of the intervention and pretty much asking everyone to leave him the fuck alone , whilst "Waltz 2" (Lyrics: " XO, mom / It's ok, it's alright, nothing's wrong/Tell mr. man with impossible plans to just leave me alone" ) explores similar themes

The title of 'XO' says it all - it's X (kiss ) O (Hug) , see ya later , all the best no hard feelings

'XO' is Smiths most accomplished work and is a diary of an artist struggling with fame and fraying apart at the seems seemingly into the abyss

Its an often over used term but 'XO' isn't just Smith's masterpiece but it's a master class in song writing by a generational artist

'I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow' (Edited)

From meccalecca TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/04/2014 20:29 | #110774 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Cover up the scars, put on a smile, and tell everyone you're okay. Suppress with pain with a veil of happiness.

Probably his most commercial album. Great songwriting combined with a more expansive production than his earlier works makes this an essential listen for anyone interested in an artist that was lyrically on a par with Nick Drake. Definitely a grower!

The first 'slick' Elliot Smith record. Some beautiful melodies here, almost a modern take on a Dylan and Beatles combination. Smith takes his music to a more accessible level, but there is the still the dark undertow from his previous albums creeping through. Waltz #2, is a fantastic song, one of Smith's best, but there is plenty of great stuff here. Baby Britain, is an upbeat McCartney-ish track, with a hint of Lennon in the middle eight, a kind of Elliot Smith version of, we can work it out. Elsewhere, there's, pitseleh, bottle up and explode, independence day, and, amity, just a few of the many standouts here. Closing with the beautiful, i did'nt understand, clearly influenced by the fab four's, because. Excellent songwriting.

Tasked with quickly following up his burst to the mainstream after signing with DreamWorks, Smith didn't crumble to either the pressure or money. If Either/Or is balanced and melodic, this must be… I don't know. Perfection. From another universe. The abrupt explosion of “Sweet Adeline” followed by the typical acoustic ballad of “Tomorrow Tomorrow” and then the consecutive run of masterpieces from “Waltz #2 (XO)” to “Waltz #1” is just mind-blowing. Breathtaking. A miniscule dip in quality on “Amity” doesn't necessarily throw off the record, and it just keeps marching on confidently to the heartbreaking conclusion of “I Didn't Understand”. The production is all over the place, but this time the greater variety of colors and tones adds distinct power and each song is placed in the perfect spot on the tracklist.
Favorites: “Waltz #2 (XO)”, “Baby Britain”, “Pitseleh”, “Sweet Adeline”, “Independence Day”, “Bled White”, “Tomorrow Tomorrow”, “Bottle Up and Explode!”, "Waltz #1"