Elliott Smith (studio album) by Elliott Smith

From VictorVale 08/23/2023 17:23

Som delicado, sem pressa.

A brilliant singer/songwriter album that demonstrates so much potential and makes me extremely excited to explore his later releases. The way he plays is so beautiful yet haunting at the same time and he creates a fantastic atmosphere with just the use of plucking at his guitar strings. This is extremely impressive on such an early release as he is showing such high level of musical maturity that some people never reach throughout their whole career. Lyrically, this record is phenomenal with its dark and depressing tones and themes that are well explored by Smith through clever wordplay and rich storytelling. All of this culminates into something extremely unique which is what made him such a talent as the quality he displayed is very hard to replicate. Overall, this is an elite level album with greatness distributed across the whole record but there is still room for improvement and I'm excited to experience what comes after this release.

From Brad1770 11/11/2020 05:22

The forgotten Elliott Smith album? Yes and no - Yes only the ES fans could list half a dozen songs on this album , No - many of the songs are well known in their own right and are fondly regarded widely as folk at its finest in the 1990’s and I’m referring to “Needle In The Hay”, “Coming Up Roses”, “St.Ides Heaven” and “Biggest Lie”

This album is the sound of a delicate flower who’s petals will tumble at the slightest of disturbances

It starts to rain during a freezing winter night, so you make your way to an underpass. You huddle up with a heroin junkie for warmth. He whips out a guitar, and plays the saddest songs about addiction and self-hatred you've ever heard.

From Nobodyisemo 12/12/2018 19:16

I disliked this on first listen. It wasn't an attentive listen. Then I came back recently, and focused on it. I liked it better. Then I found myself playing it on repeat. It's fantastic, so tender and more varied dynamically than Roman Candle. These songs build and grow while Roman Candle's drone. I love both albums, but this one isn't too short the way Roman Candle is.

Are there many album openers in history better than “Needle in the Hay”? On the opposite end of the record is the similarly perfect closer “The Biggest Lie”. In between lies the definitive document of Smith's morose and romantic acoustic side as well as the first clear updates to the percussion-driven style from his Heatmiser days. Even when the songwriting isn't quite on point, this record carries a uniquely mystical quality that I can't quite put my finger on.
Favorites: “Needle in the Hay”, “St. Idles Heaven”, “The Biggest Lie”, “Christian Brothers, “Southern Belle”, “Coming Up Roses”, basically everything else really

Simply a perfect record. It's quiet and unassuming but has depth and darkness too. A highly recommended listen

favorite elliott smith lyrics on 'st. ides heaven' - "high on amphetamines/the moon is a light bulb breaking/it'll go around with anyone/but it won't come down for anyone/ and i'll go around with anyone/but i won't come down for anyone' amphetamines were definitely a big thing for him over his career, and were one of the only drugs still found in his blood after his death (but people don't often mention this because he had a prescription, however even prescribed amphetamines like adderall can still mess you up)

this is one of my all time favorite records and is probably tied with 'from a basement' for me. every song is amazing alone but it plays so well as a full album.

From CanadianGuy 03/27/2017 19:08

I haven't listened to an opener sadder and more desperate than "Needle in the Hay".

Not his best, but still another excellent collection of songs from one of the greatest songwriters of the nineties. Raw and intimate.