Elliott Smith - New Moon
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Track:Miss Misery - (early version, with Elliot Smith)
When the life of an artist or a band is cut tragically short, the greatest hits album or the b-sides compilation release is almost inevitable. Elliott Smith was a prolific songwriter and recorder, with scores of tracks that never found their way onto any of his classic albums. For years, much of this material circulated in bootleg-form in various corners of the internets, helping to build a quiet, yet rabid following. Kill Rock Stars, the label that released his self-titled album and Either/Or, issued New Moon, a collection of b-sides highlights and early arrangements of recordings that took place between 1994-1998 (Interscope Records owns Elliott's later work).
And New Moon is definitely a collection that is worthy and representative of his brilliant career. Smith's acoustic acumen resonates over the vast majority of this 24-track, double-disc release, long considered one of his strengths (not too surprising, given the time period New Moon covers). Tasteful little accents are added throughout, such as a touch of organ on "Going Nowhere," the electric guitar lines on "Riot Coming" and "Almost Over," or sleigh bells on "See How Things Are Hard." Even "Fear City" and "New Monkey" give us a rockier side reminiscent of his Heatmiser days. And speaking of Heatmiser, the final two tracks are re-workings of two Mic City Sons songs: "See You Later" and "Half Right," stripped down to the Elliott Smith quintessentials: that frost-fragile voice and that expressive acoustic guitar.
New Moon shines with the brightness of an artist burning at his creative zenith. The lands that Elliott Smith would explore past here would find him building more complex and lush arrangements. Still, that a man could craft songs about love and loneliness with such simplicity and stark, bald intimacy steals my breath away every time hear it. New Moon is great both for those new to Elliott Smith's music, and those who have every note and chord of his discography committed to memory.
A stirring tribute to a musical genius.
And New Moon is definitely a collection that is worthy and representative of his brilliant career. Smith's acoustic acumen resonates over the vast majority of this 24-track, double-disc release, long considered one of his strengths (not too surprising, given the time period New Moon covers). Tasteful little accents are added throughout, such as a touch of organ on "Going Nowhere," the electric guitar lines on "Riot Coming" and "Almost Over," or sleigh bells on "See How Things Are Hard." Even "Fear City" and "New Monkey" give us a rockier side reminiscent of his Heatmiser days. And speaking of Heatmiser, the final two tracks are re-workings of two Mic City Sons songs: "See You Later" and "Half Right," stripped down to the Elliott Smith quintessentials: that frost-fragile voice and that expressive acoustic guitar.
New Moon shines with the brightness of an artist burning at his creative zenith. The lands that Elliott Smith would explore past here would find him building more complex and lush arrangements. Still, that a man could craft songs about love and loneliness with such simplicity and stark, bald intimacy steals my breath away every time hear it. New Moon is great both for those new to Elliott Smith's music, and those who have every note and chord of his discography committed to memory.
A stirring tribute to a musical genius.
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