The man I’m about to introduce needs no introduction…Elliott Smith. My ironic contradiction plays on the title of Smith’s newest release and is a monumental fake out for those who would wish for a real introduction to the genius behind this compilation of hits. Plagued in life by depression and addiction, Smith famously, or infamously, took his own life* in October of 2003. Darkly poetic and Shakespearean, he died from two self-inflicted* stab wounds to the chest. A poster child for torment and struggle, his suicide was widely viewed as the final chapter in a tragic anthology reflecting the often somber undertone of his work and paralleling his frequently pained lyrics.
*the autopsy was inconclusive on whether it could have been a homicide, but it is generally believed to be a suicide.
Titled An Introduction To…Elliott Smith, the latest post-mortem release from Smith doesn’t quite place him among the elite “life after death” artists (e.g. Biggie or 2Pac), but it is the third release since his untimely death. Fortunately the album doesn’t claim to be a “best of” compilation, or even suggest you could, or should, take this as a sufficient cross-section of his contribution to music. Rather, it does exactly what the title suggests; introducing the listener to a singer-songwriter worthy of more than the glimpse afforded by Good Will Hunting.
Containing material from all of his previous albums, Introduction hopes to whet your appetite for a 7-course meal. Be warned though, some of his arrangements are sparse and desperate. Combined with imagery of someone on the brink of suicide, it can be an emotional listen. But don’t be discouraged, not all of his songs carry the helpless, hopeless tone, wrought with self-doubt. Though infrequent, his more upbeat efforts provide respite from his troubles and even elicit smiles. That being said, the video above is powerfully sad. Filmed at 4334 W. Sunset Boulevard, where the cover for Figure 8 was photographed, it captures the sentiment of fans that were devastated after his death. However, it also speaks to his tremendous ability to relate commonalities affecting his diverse fan base.
His seemingly effortless talent permeates each of his albums to the point where it’s not unreasonable to assert that if you asked ten fans to choose their favorite album, they would come up with ten different answers. Impressive considering he’s only released eight albums. All the more reason to give a listen and find out what you’ve been missing….or what you’ve been neglecting.
Forever living in the hearts of his fans, Elliott is depending on YOU to pass along his legacy. Be it an introduction or an ovation, his songs will continue to tug at the heart strings and inspire genuine emotion from listeners new and old. He may be gone, but that’s no excuse. He said it himself…
“I’m never gonna know you now, but I’m gonna love you anyhow.” – Elliott Smith
