Future Corpse

Cake, please.

06 August, 2006

Happy Birthday, Elliott Smith

there's nothing here that you'll miss
I can guarantee you this
is a cloud of smoke

He would have been 37 today. The brave, beautiful man who, at a time when everyone else was screaming and pounding their fists in rage, was sitting alone, quietly pulling his rib cage apart, laying bare his heart and soul in soft, bleeding whispers.


sunshine, been keeping me up for days
there is no night time, it’s only a passing phase
and i feel pretty, pretty enough for you
i felt so ugly before, i didn’t know what to do


He was just a man. But oh, the music that man created...



Happy birthday, sweet Elliott - and, as ever, thank you.
xo




5 Comments:

  • At 07 August, 2006 00:35, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hey, I haven't heard this guy's music, but would certainly like to after reading all that you've written about him on your blog - any suggestions on where/what to start (with)?

     
  • At 07 August, 2006 02:53, Blogger Mickey said…

    More than happy to oblige!

    He only recorded 5 records in his lifetime (his 6th was finished after his death).

    A start in the middle would probably be best.

    "XO" or "Figure 8", are his most accessible records. The songs are fuller - more instrumentation and more production.

    They are both super melodic, but the lyrical content is somewhat less intimate on Figure 8.

    If you're the adventurous type (which, I suspect you are), you could start with "Either/Or" which many believe is his masterwork.

    It's quite dark and sparse, but there's enough gentle prettiness sprinkled into it that you don't walk away feeling depressed.

    Or, you could skip the official releases altogether and go to
    www.trashtreasury.com and download some demos to give you a feel. They are every bit as good - despite their technical roughness.

    Whatever route you decide to take, I hope you enjoy the stroll and find something that sounds good to you.

    Any questions, ask away - I love talking about Elliott. :)

     
  • At 08 August, 2006 01:23, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Thanks, man! will get back once I check out some/more/all his stuff!

     
  • At 08 August, 2006 11:01, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Last night I was out with my friend Dan who played music in Portland for about 10 years.

    I asked him, "Hey, did you know Elliott Smith?"

    "Yeah, I sure did," Dan said.

    They weren't friends, but they knew each other enough to say hello. Dan was also pretty well acquainted with Elliott Smith's boozing habits - so many musicians are also bartenders, after all.

     
  • At 09 August, 2006 08:05, Blogger Mickey said…

    How lovely the thought of Elliott being discussed on a Monday night in Prague. Your social tentacles reach into all corners, Max...

    I think a book comprised of interviews/conversations with Elliott's bartenders would make for some compelling reading.

    If only the time and finances were available to conduct such an expansive hunt...

     

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