Home To Oblivion: A Tribute To Elliot Smith - Elliott Smith

There's something great about Elliott Smith's way with an arrangement. On his later albums, "Figure 8" and "X/O", he's been afforded the luxury of good studios and an ever-expanding band. But to see where he first flexed these dynamic musical muscles, have a listen to his first two offerings, "Roman Candle" and the eponymous second album. There's the restrained anger of 'Needle In The Hay', or the blunt poetry of 'Christian Brothers': "Nightmares become me, it's so f****** clear..." Then there's the menacing 'Southern Belle', a bruised 'Good To Go', the sweet comedown closer 'The Biggest Lie'. And hey! The great thing is, he wrings all these moods ...  Read the complete review