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Post by *Sonya* on Feb 20, 2008 15:36:10 GMT -5
Nice to meet you Pilot! I may be a new fan, but I'm definitely obsessed. At record speed Elliott Smith has quickly moved up into my favorite musicians of all time. I can't really find words to express how brilliant I think his music is, it's just perfect to me and I think his songwriting is absolutely genius. I'll talk about his music with you anytime you want! ;D What are your favorite albums/songs/lyrics of his? Do you have any pics of your tat? I'd love to see it or at least know what it's of.
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Post by *Sonya* on Feb 20, 2008 15:37:31 GMT -5
By the way, have any of you read the book about Elliott Smith by Autumn de Wilde? I've read mixed reviews and I want to know if it's worth buying.
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Post by Pilot on Feb 20, 2008 18:19:12 GMT -5
I have the same tattoo that a lot of his fans have, the xo heart on my wrist. This is the only picture I have of it. Believe me, it looked exactly the same as the original sketch of Elliott's. It's not really faded per say, it's only a year and a half old. The tattoo artist was just really light on it, and I didn't take to it well I guess. It just needs to be re-done, but I've been putting that off since I want to add to it, but I'm not sure exactly what'll be added. Wings, I think, that will wrap around to the other side of my wrist, and some words (maybe incorporating Pink Floyd lyrics, since I want a Floyd tat as well but don't have any ideas whatsoever. I've been really wanting to add "Shine On" or "Shine on you crazy diamond." to this one, for Elliott). So it's not complete. I really do love all of his albums, but my favourite most of the time is XO, followed by Either/Or. Heatmiser was great too, but I never really got into them as much as Elliott's solo music, where he was free to do as he pleased. Favourite song is really hard to say! "You're Just Somebody I Used To Know" was the song I heard initially. I thought it was a bit odd, and different from everything that I knew, so I guess it grasped me that way, and kept me intrigued. So it has to be a favourite. Some more: Speed Trials Son of Sam Between the Bars Say Yes Can't Make a Sound Pretty (Ugly Before) King's Crossing (have you seen the video that someone made for this? Oh my god.) Abused All Cleaned Out A Fond Farewell No Name #1 Waltz #2 Pitseleh Oh Well, Okay Bottle Up And Explode! I Didn't Understand I like the bittersweet songs. They're sad beyond belief, they make you cry, but they (sound like they) have little hints of hope. The ones that say "hey, you're not alone." Like "All Cleaned Out", which was the highlight of New Moon for me. Lyrics is even harder! I'll begin with: "Why should you want any other When you're a world within a world?" -Can't Make a Sound "What I used to be will pass away and then you'll see That all I want now is happiness for you and me" -Happiness I'd love to hear what your answers to all of those are, too!
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Post by Pilot on Feb 20, 2008 18:30:48 GMT -5
Autumn de Wilde's Elliott Smith book is great! It's definitely a fantastic book to pick up. You don't really read it, but look at it. It's mostly a photography book, with some interviews with some people, and it also comes with a little CD. I personally haven't even come across any mixed or negative reviews for this book. But I have for the biography of him called "Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing" by Benjamin Nugent, which I understand, I didn't think it was all that great either. That book is still worth reading, though, for the information. This one seems mostly like an extended article, not really all that well written, but still worth it for Elliott. I came across this picture of Elliott today that I've never seen before. Which I think is just beautiful. (It's even actually bigger than that.) Do you have any pictures in particular that you love, by the way?
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Post by *Sonya* on Feb 20, 2008 21:11:35 GMT -5
Hmmm...let's see. I'm still new to him, but I've been entirely engrossed in his music lately so I have become familiar with quite a bit of it. It's interesting to get into an artist who has a huge body of work released because you see the entire progression and evolution all at once. I would have to say that right now, my favorite albums are Roman Candle, Elliott Smith, and Either/Or. That's what I'm the most familiar with right now and those albums seem to have the majority of my current favorites on them. I dig a lot of the songs XO too. I just really prefer what he does acoustically and it seems like on Figure 8 and From a Basement on the Hill it's a lot more stuff with a band and I haven't gotten into those albums as much. New Moon is great too and I haven't devoted enough time to it yet. Favorite Songs (warning - I have a lot): Condor Ave. The Biggest Lie Twilight High Times All Cleaned Out Say Yes Needle in the Hay Alameda Angeles 2:45 am Kiwi Maddog 20/20 Waltz #1 Waltz #2 St. Ides Heaven Last Call No Name #1 No Name #2 Speed Trials Miss Misery Pitseleh Memory Lane I'm sure I'll add more favorites as I learn more songs. I really don't listen to many artists where I like this many of their songs, especially when I first get into them. There just something really special about Elliott Smith's music that appeals to me. Favorite lyrics: Condor Ave. (love all the lyrics to this song but these are my favorites) Angeles Waltz #2 St. Ides Heaven The Biggest Lie High Times Twilight (again I love all of the lyrics to this one, these are my favorite...) Between the Bars All of the lyrics to Miss Misery (both versions) All the lyrics to No Name #1 There are a lot more favorite lyrics, but I'm sure this post is already long enough with what I already wrote. I believe Elliott was a true poet, I wish I could write lyrics like him.
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Post by *Sonya* on Feb 20, 2008 21:16:00 GMT -5
As far as the Autumn de Wilde book goes, the mixed reviews I read had more to do with the fact that people seemed to be expecting it to be less pictures and more writing. I didn't read anything that said the book was bad at all, just that people wished there were more interviews, stories, etc. I'm going to go ahead and order it.
I don't have any pictures to post right now, but I will soon. The ones I like the most are the candid shots of him.
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Post by sirendemented on Feb 21, 2008 9:09:23 GMT -5
Son of Sam is easily my fav. This picture is epic within its self:
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Post by Pilot on Feb 22, 2008 16:21:36 GMT -5
Ahh the picture with Jeff. You're totally right, it is epic!
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bumcakes
The Pusher
I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there.
Posts: 179
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Post by bumcakes on Feb 29, 2008 22:25:31 GMT -5
I want to exalt you allright now. But that could take till dawn. So i'm just going to pretend i've exalted you all. [EXALT ALL]
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Post by *Sonya* on Apr 4, 2008 22:12:13 GMT -5
I bought the book by Autumn de Wilde and I love it. I think the interviews/conversations are so interesting. I can see why people thought there should have been more, and I can also see why people felt like Autumn was sort of promoting herself with the whole thing but it didn't bother me enough to change my opinion about the book. I have about 5 pages of text left that I'm saving for later because I don't want it to ever end.
At one point I was laughing so hard that I had tears rolling down my face. Elliott seems to have had the best sense of humor. I love reading people's accounts of funny moments with him.
I think the book is kind of intense in the way that there will be a really intimate interview with someone who knew him very well who is talking about very personal memories of what it was like to know him and then when you turn the page there is this huge close up photograph of him seeming to look right at you and it's very powerful.
I also like how there are scans of handwritten lyrics. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone who is a fan of his music.
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Post by mygalaxie on Apr 8, 2008 22:30:05 GMT -5
travis t. just recently introduced me to elliot smith. he recommend a few of his albums shortly after i download my first one and listened to it i proceeded to download the rest of his work he is truly amazing.
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Post by *Sonya* on Apr 10, 2008 6:34:43 GMT -5
Travis has covered a few of Elliott's songs. I've heard him do The Biggest Lie, King's Crossing, and Angeles. I want to hear more! He does a really nice job with Elliott's songs, especially The Biggest Lie. I recommend checking that out asap to anyone who hasn't heard it. ;D You can hear Elliott Smith's "The Biggest Lie" here: www.myspace.com/elliottsmithnewmoonand hear Travis' version here (while he's still got it up there) www.myspace.com/starvingtravis
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Post by mygalaxie on Apr 10, 2008 13:20:23 GMT -5
yea he had done a real good job on Smith songs.
i just love his way with words. i can listen for hours.
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carolyn
Porcupine
I think it's time...
Posts: 982
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Post by carolyn on Apr 10, 2008 19:26:33 GMT -5
I'm just getting really into his stuff now. I've been listening to Figure 8 lots lately and it is SOLID. He was defiantly a talented man and I can see myself becoming a big fan soon enough!!
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Post by *Sonya* on Apr 11, 2008 6:40:43 GMT -5
I would recommend getting Either/Or next and then working backwards all the way to Roman Candle. I think once you hear Either/Or you will definitely be hooked.
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