Review Summary: Elliott blends rock with folk and crafts a masterpiece of an album
Okay so i'm on this Elliott Smith phase where I'm listening to any musical recording I could find of his. This is a rare occurrence that only happens when an artist is just that good. The only other band that I could think of that fits that merit are The Beatles. Which is fitting since Elliott was a major fan. This record probably stands as the most Beatles' influenced Elliott album. This is a rare moment when the student becomes the teacher as Elliott pulls off beautiful vocal harmonies that could stand up against any Beatles' song.
Take 'I didn't Understand' for example. This song consist of no instrumentation, Just Elliott's voice on different tone levels. It really shows how impressive his vocal range is. After the success of 'Ms. Misery' Elliott signed a major record deal with Dreamworks. The end result is this well-produced album. Notice how I said "well-produced" not over-produced like some albums *cough* *cough* 'Nevermind'. Elliott reveals his true potential for song writing and composing by trading in the raw lo-fi sound of the last few albums to this masterpiece of an album.
Every song is well thought out and drenched with emotion like on 'Tomorrow Tomorrow' where Elliott sings melancholy over his hybrid picking. As I've stated earlier, Harmonizing is something Elliott's really good at, and he knows exactly when and where to do it. Notice how the instrumentation builds up more and more near the end of the song as he adds more vocal over-dubs. This builds tension to the listener until the song ends on one final note.
After hearing this song, you would think that not much has changed since the last few albums. Then comes along 'Waltz 2'. It kicks off with drums, then electric guitar, and then.. a piano. The song immediately draws you in with all these instruments combined sewed together over an acoustic. Lot's of artist attempt this but end up being sloppy. All the instruments are played well which is impressive considering Elliott played all the instruments.
This song serves as a beacon for what will consist in this album. The solo acoustic songs are just as good as the rock ones, and they don't sound out of place on the record. Bled White is a fun to listen track in which Elliott cleverly describes his feeling using public transportation. "so I wait for the f-train (white city to the yellow line)". To me (although the song isn't about this topic) this song is a good example of dealing with peer pressure and an identity crises. Being surrounded by a "white city" and fighting the urge to fit in, until the burden of being alone becomes to much to bare and he finally "Bled white" just like the city he lives in. Hauntingly beautiful.
Like 'Bled White' Bottle up and explode is catchy and fun to listen to. Being a learning guitarist myself, Elliott has some of the most interesting renditions of guitar chords I've ever heard. As shown in the intro. What's even more impressive is the ending to 'Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands'. What starts off as just an acoustic song subtlety transgresses into a beautiful psychedelic 60's style outro with a guitar tone that makes this sound like it could be part of the Revolver album. It's an epic climax to the album and a great segway to the final track of the album which consist of no instrumentation at all. Elliott truly was a genius.
Though there are probably a couple songs I could do without like 'Amity' which has a nice guitar solo. This album is a notch up from 'Either/or" and and a hauntingly beautiful melancholy work of art. We'ere never gonna know you now, but where gonna love you any how Elliott..
My favorite tracks are:
Tomorrow Tomorrow
Waltz #2
Pitseleh
Bled White
Waltz #1
Bottle Up and Explode!
I Didn't Understand
