Elliott Smith

Editor's Review:

It is entirely possible that no songwriter in the game can touch the work of Elliot Smith. His compositions, both lyrical and musical, are infectiously catchy and staggeringly heartfelt. One quick read through the liner notes reveals subject matter that, while most certainly personal to Smith, touches on a little something in everyone whose ear it catches. Smith's grasp on the human condition is simply intricate, deep and penetratingly natural — seemingly without much effort, it just is powerful. Smith has an innate ability to relate himself through his music, and his songs appear as open windows to his heart, mind and soul. His experiences and emotions become fodder for his musical expression and the result is something that reaches out off the medium and pulls in the listener.

Figure 8 is the latest in a long-line of well-written, critically acclaimed and widely loved records from this Northwestern musician and songwriter, rife with the kind of music with which Smith made his mark. The production, handled largely by rock juicers Rob Schnapf and Tom Rothrock, is full and aurally encompassing, even on soft, gentle acoustic numbers like "Everything Reminds Me of Her" and "Easy Way Out." The more orchestrated music, however, is where the fat production value really shows. There's a distinct pop element to many of these songs, not just in the writing of the words and music, but in the lush layer of polish that, while it usually ruins the root of a talent like Smith, here allows him to incorporate more of his ideas into his music. The force behind his work punctuates Smith's undeniable talent, and together the two aspects make this latest offering one well worth a listen.

Bookmark:

Record Label Dreamworks Records Released April 2000

Tracks 1. Son Of Sam 2. Somebody That I Used To Know 3. Junk Bond Trader 4. Everything Reminds Me Of Her 5. Everything Means Nothing To Me 6. L.A. 7. In The Lost And Found 8. Stupidity Tries 9. Easy Way Out 10. Wouldn't Mama Be Proud 11. Color Bars 12. Happiness 13. Pretty Mary K 14. Better Be Quiet Now 15. Can't Make A Sound 16. Bye