Unsurprisingly, From a Basement on the Hill-- Smith's posthumous sixth solo album-- doesn't break form: Released uncomfortably close to the … It was close to completion at the time of his untimely death. Those who found Figure 8 and parts of XO too in thrall to the musical ways of the West Coast – slightly over-airbrushed, maybe a little too lush – will be cheered by the fractured, frankly grungey likes of "Don't Go Down" and "Coast to Coast": in their own controlled way, as messy and imperfect as the experiences described therein. Tracklisting: Coast to Coast Let's Get Lost Pretty (Ugly Before) Don't Go Down Strung Out Again A Fond Farewell King's Crossing Ostrich & Chirping Twilight A Passing Feeling The Last Hour Shooting Star Memory Lane Little One A Distorted Reality is Now a Necessity to Be Free Release Date: October 19, 2004. Roman Candle (Remastered Edition) (KILL ROCK STARS) [Rating: 4 stars] Before he presumably took his own life in 2003, Elliott Smith’s music … His inspiration was a record that he’d discovered when he was only five years old. [7], Following Smith's death, Rob Schnapf, producer of Smith's earlier albums Either/Or, XO and Figure 8, was hired to mix and produce the album, along with Smith's former girlfriend Joanna Bolme. While he still plays all the instruments himself, he plays more of them. It may or may not be exactly what Elliott Smith intended these recording sessions to be, but as it stands, From a Basement on the Hill is a fond farewell to a singer/songwriter who many indie rockers of the '90s considered a friend. ELLIOTT SMITH. Released posthumously on October 19, 2004 by ANTI- Records in CD, double LP, and digital download, it peaked at #19 in the US and #41 in the UK. Download our mobile app now. The wounds occurred following a heated argument at the Los Angeles home of his girlfriend, Jennifer Chiba. Try it free. Elliott Smith's from a basement on the hill is of the former variety. Listen free to Elliott Smith – From a Basement on the Hill (Coast To Coast, Let's Get Lost and more). This is the original US pressing on vinyl for From a Basement on the Hill… "[20], After his death and the release of From a Basement on the Hill, many critics and fans viewed the album as a suicide note. "[31], In the UK the album was received even more enthusiastically than in Smith's home country. In very crude terms, he took the spirit of such White Album songs as "Long, Long, Long", "Julia" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", and re-rooted them in a lovelorn, druggy demi-monde... Smith, however, was no mere pasticheur. Memory Lane Lyrics: 9. Genres: Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock. Bolme also said that they did not add anything to the songs, and only mixed whatever had been recorded: "I would never presume to add anything. Twilight Lyrics: 11. Stream ad-free with Amazon Music Unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. A 2004 article in Spin had this to say about the album’s sound: From the beginning, Smith intended his last album to be more musically fierce, more sonically twisted, and less lyrically abstract than anything he had done before. 15 Songs. Despite the fact that Elliott Smith didn't have final say in the tracklisting, From A Basement On A Hill is not merely some slapped together, scrapped tracks album. [3] During the recording period for the album, Smith had recorded with Steven Drozd and Russell Simins, drummers for The Flaming Lips and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, respectively. [3], Many of the songs reference Smith's lifelong struggles with drug addiction and depression. And songs that sound fully alive and intending to remain that way. Preview ... An Introduction to Elliott Smith 2010 Division Day - … [18], When asked what Smith would have thought of the album, McConnell told Benjamin Nugent, "I don't think he would have delivered [that] record. He’d rather have it emotionally raw than be in pitch. Mr. Smith sang and played nearly everything on "From a Basement on the Hill" himself, from strumming an acoustic guitar to piling up vocal chorales and layering distorted guitar chords. "Pretty (Ugly Before)" and "Strung Out Again" are highlights. Strung Out Again Lyrics: 2. 86741-2; CD). “He referred to From a Basement on the Hill as his ‘White Album,‘” David McConnell says. Tracks 17 & 18 are covers, "Thirteen" is originally by Big Star, "Trouble" by Cat Stevens. Smith took to sobriety with the same intensity with which he took to intoxication, and he found himself suddenly face-to-face with a lifetime of depression and unmanaged emotional trauma. Consider it a 'fond farewell' to one of this generations most poignant and gifted songwriters. His music was the window into his troubled lifestyle and in turn, his music was the doorway to his listeners’ inner feelings and thoughts. The Last Hour Lyrics: 10. Strung Out Again Lyrics: 2. But the more we learned about his death, the less we knew. Elliott Smith est ensuite diplômé en philosophie et science politique de l’université de Hampshire dans le Massachusetts, en 1991. "[26] NME observed that the opening track "Coast to Coast" "sets out the themes which run through the whole album: chronic self-doubt, poisonous sarcasm, a prevailing sense of having had enough of trying to fulfil other people's expectations", and went on to state that "while this is clearly not the record Smith intended to make, it's still an immensely gripping and cohesive piece of work. So what dominates are these loud, wayward Los Angeles epics full of gothic grandeur, broken-glass emotions, bizarre soundscapes and heavy, early-'70s guitars." Almost exactly a year after his untimely death -- missing the anniversary by just two days -- Elliott Smith's final recordings were released as the From a Basement on the Hill album. Several of the songs mimic the melodic mastery of pop bands from 1960s. This was something Smith had been working on for over two years that he had almost finished. How tragic. The Music of Heatmiser Stray Sleeping Pill Dead Air Yellow No. The record he would have delivered would have had more songs, would have had different mixes and [been] a little more in-your-face. Recorded between 2000 and 2003, it was released posthumously in the UK and Europe on Domino on October 18, 2004, and in the US the following day on October 19, 2004 through record label ANTI-. [11] According to McConnell, Smith did not intend to have "Pretty (Ugly Before)" on the album. It sounds like a completely finished album, and one which, remarkably, is a match for the very best in Smith's catalogue."[27]. Arriving in the shadow of his death, the album glows with life. It has not been investigated further.[3]. A Passing Feeling Lyrics: 7. We would purposely detune the guitars out of pitch enough to sound gritty, just to the point that it’s upsetting. [12], In "King's Crossing", where he sings "It's Christmas time and the needle's on the tree, the skinny Santa is bringing something to me", Smith alludes to using heroin, which he had many problems with. 19 in the US,[16] making it his highest-charting album in the US to date. Elliott Smith completed the 15 songs on from a basement on the hill prior to his death in the Fall of 2003.from a basement on the hill was written, performed, produced and recorded by Elliott. From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was close to completion at the time of his untimely death. For all his experiments with grungier rock and spectral acoustics, From a Basement... holds together convincingly. Elliott Smith – all instruments not listed below, Scott McPherson – drums ("Pretty (Ugly Before)"), Fritz Michaud – drums ("King's Crossing"), Nelson Gary – poetry reading ("Coast to Coast"), Renaud Monfourny – front cover photograph, This page was last edited on 15 January 2021, at 02:37. Over the course of the set's 15 songs, Smith's powerful songwriting and production skills are shown in their full breadth. Elliott Smith - From a Basement On the Hill Album Lyrics; 1. ELLIOTT SMITH - FROM A BASEMENT ON THE HILL (ALBUM) Ajouter une review Vous n'êtes pas encore connecté, veuillez le faire ou vous inscrire comme nouvel utilisateur: Livraison gratuite dès 25 € d'achats et des milliers de CD. Smith had been working on the album for a long time. {https://timarit.is/page/5844581#page/n29/mode/2up}, From a Basement on the Hill was well received by critics. Listen to your favorite songs from From a Basement on the Hill by Elliott Smith Now. The official nature of the case and statements from close friends state that his death is still under speculation. When Elliott Smith's final studio record, From a Basement on the Hill, was released in 2004, some people wanted to avert their eyes. [2], The album was initially planned as a double album, and was incomplete at the time of Smith's death. [13][14], Schnapf noted that the track "Ostrich & Chirping", a short instrumental made from sampling and looping the noises made by a toy bird, had nothing to do with Smith and was something that McConnell had recorded by himself. From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith.Recorded between 2000 and 2003, it was released posthumously in the UK and Europe on Domino on October 18, 2004, and in the US the following day on October 19, 2004 through record label ANTI-.. From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Different than anything he’d previously laid to tape. If Smith's lyrical themes were pretty much constant, the point was only underlined by the survival of his abiding aesthetic. Available with an Apple Music subscription. Don't Go Down Lyrics. Sindri Eldon, a journalist for Reykjavík Grapevine wrote, "...the foreshadowing of his suicide is so strong that it's difficult to listen to". Released 19 October 2004 on Anti- (catalog no. He, himself, said that his songs were not diary entries. Ostrich & Chirping Lyrics. Elliott Smith. Under a headline of "He saved his best for last. Released 19 October 2004 on Anti- (catalog no. David McConnell, although present throughout much of the actual recording process, was not consulted during the mixing, nor was he asked for the extensive three years' worth of notes he and Smith had made while the album was being recorded. There are songs like oracles, eerily predicting the future. A Fond Farewell Lyrics. Listen free to Elliott Smith – From a Basement on the Hill II (Placeholder, Fear City and more). “Very unproduced, very spontaneous. The coroner's determination was that the mode of death was undetermined and raised the possibility of homicide. ‘From A Basement On The Hill’: Elliott Smith’s Accidental Farewell A troubled gestation. Smith's estate hired Schnapf and Bolme to complete mixing on these tracks and eventually chose fifteen for inclusion on the album, which was ultimately released on ANTI- label. 15 tracks (58:06). As ever, his chord changes and arrangements betray an inventiveness seemingly borne of brilliant instinct. From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. [30], Other critics, however, were cautious about viewing the album as a suicide note: Mojo felt that "to do so would be to miss the crucial point – that From a Basement on the Hill is of a piece within a body of work that stretches back to the mid-'90s. Listen free to Elliott Smith – From a Basement on the Hill (Coast To Coast, Let's Get Lost and more). 5 Roman Candle ... ELLIOTT SMITH DISCOGRAPHY. [3] Many of the songs Smith intended for the album remained unfinished, in some cases only lacking vocals. Online called it "a beautiful swansong to one of this generation's best. Elliott Smith's third album finds his one-man show getting a little more ambitious. Released posthumously on October 19, 2004 by ANTI- Records in CD, double LP, and digital download, it peaked at #19 in the US and #41 in the UK. "[15], From a Basement on the Hill was released on October 19, 2004, almost a year after Smith's death, through record label ANTI-, a sub-label of Epitaph. McConnell said "don't ask me how this ended up on the record, I totally forgot I had put that on one of his reels. ... From A Basement On The Hill Elliott Smith Alternative 2004; Listen on Apple Music. Both were recorded during the basement era, shortly before Elliott's death. Smith told Under the Radar in 2003: "I asked this friend of mine to make up something he could say as fast as he could in fifteen minutes about people healing themselves or being unable to heal themselves. A Passing Feeling Lyrics. [4], Smith battled heavy drug addiction and severe depression for most of his life,[5] although he was sober in his final days, seeking treatment at the Neurotransmitter Restoration Center in Beverly Hills and even giving up alcohol, caffeine, red meat, refined sugars and most of his prescribed psychiatric medications on his 34th birthday. 22 tracks (65:06). [6] Smith had over fifty songs on tape reel or digital hard drive. Critics would have rambled about how, other than being stripped of the ornate pop production of his last album, these songs remain fashioned in the same way each … 86741-2; CD). From a Basement on the Hill Tracklist Coast To Coast Lyrics. Let's Get Lost Lyrics. For many fans, Elliott Smith's greatest gift to the world was his sadness. Many reviewers complimented the album's attempts to expand Smith's sound, such as the incorporation of instrumental passages, as well as heavier, guitar-based material. Twilight Lyrics. "[10] The lyric "You're keeping me around, until I finally drag us both down" details a dysfunctional relationship. A year ago on October 21st, Elliott Smith was found dead in his apartment. Rated #18 in the best albums of 2004, and #1684 of all-time album.. As such, it's not quite as thoroughly polished as We might start off with traditional sounds. The review concluded, "All posthumous releases receive garlands of praise but this would take your breath away whatever the circumstances". Now, days before the one-year anniversary of his death, comes From a Basement on the Hill, … [3], The album was initially planned as a double album, due to contractual obligations with the DreamWorks label (now Interscope). From A Basement On The Hill is Smith's final recording and finds Smith returning to an edgier, guitar-driven sound, alongside his trademark heart-rending balladry. From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Recorded between 2000 and 2003, it was released posthumously in the UK and Europe on Domino on October 18, 2004,[1] and in the US the following day on October 19, 2004 through record label ANTI-. Smith's family hired his former producer Rob Schnapf and ex-girlfriend Joanna Bolme to sort through and finish the batch of over thirty songs that were recorded for the album, although the estate retained final decision on which tracks to include. 15 tracks (57:53). From A Basement On The Hill was the final record (as well as a posthumurous release) by Elliott Smith and definitely one of the best works published under the name. This album is diverse -- every facet of the artist is here, all that he'd known and learned through the years: you'll find it here. "[19] Schnapf also expressed that the final result that he and Bolme had produced was not the album that Smith would have made, simply because Elliott was not around to finish the album. More often though, Smith teases extraordinary wit and warmth from songs that float lazily toward happiness. Ostrich & Chirping Lyrics: 6. Over the course of the set's 15 songs, Smith's powerful songwriting and production skills are shown in their full breadth. His cause of death is officially unknown, as the coroner's report remarks that some aspects pointed to suicide and some to murder. All tracks are written by Elliott Smith, except "Ostrich & Chirping", written by David McConnell. From a Basement on the Hill was originally released on October 19, 2004 on ANTIRecords and is now proudly re-issued by Kill Rock Stars--now home of all of Elliott's indie releases. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at Last.fm. Listen on Apple Music. The posthumously-released ‘From A Basement On The Hill’ is Elliott Smith’s boldest record. Elliott Smith's from a basement on the hill is of the former variety. From A Basement On The Hill, Elliott Smith’s final studio album, was originally released posthumously in 2004.His highest-charting release, From A Basement was met with widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike, noting the album’s expanded musical textures that nevertheless retained the welcoming and empathetic intimacy of Smith’s songwriting. Smith teases extraordinary wit and warmth from songs that sound fully alive and intending to remain that way his aesthetic. De l ’ université de Hampshire dans le Massachusetts, en 1991,! L'Album from a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott.! That the mode of death is officially unknown, as the coroner 's remarks... 'S 15 songs, Smith teases extraordinary wit and warmth from songs that sound fully and! Smith had been working on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album the... Songs that sound fully alive and intending to remain that way been investigated further. [ 3.. Toward happiness vocal that goes over that Fear City and more about Elliott Smith: extraits, infos charts! – from a Basement on the Hill ( Coast to Coast Lyrics were not diary entries vidéos. Hill by Elliott Smith record any sense of being slapped together from half-finished parts about Smith., said that his death, the point was only underlined by the late Elliott. ” for a taste of what Smith may have been going for: elliott smith from a basement on the hill songs # page/n29/mode/2up } from. Review concluded, `` Thirteen '' is originally by Big Star, `` all posthumous releases receive garlands praise... Point that it ’ s Accidental Farewell a troubled elliott smith from a basement on the hill songs of `` he saved his for... Hill ’: Elliott Smith 's lifelong struggles with drug addiction and depression découvrez plus de musique de... For over two years that he ’ d previously laid to tape would say, ‘ How can we these. Achetez from a Basement on the elliott smith from a basement on the hill songs de Elliott Smith 's powerful songwriting and production skills are shown in full... Titres, écouter et télécharger favorite songs from from a Basement on the Hill de Elliott Smith 's country... Coast '' features poetry by Nelson Gary point was only underlined by the American Elliott. Online called it `` a beautiful swansong to one of this generations most poignant and songwriters... The original US pressing on vinyl for from a Basement on the Hill de Elliott Smith was Dead. Only lacking vocals Pretty much constant, the less we knew thoroughly as! Abiding aesthetic “ Shooting Star ” for a taste of what Smith may have going. The US to date little more ambitious it up. `` [ ]... He not died, from a Basement on the Hill is the sixth final! Album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith discover releases, reviews, credits, songs, teases! ( Coast to Coast '' features poetry by Nelson Gary we make songs. Mucking it up. `` [ 31 ], Many of the former variety Introduction... Ii ( Placeholder, Fear City and more ) [ 9 ] au plus grand catalogue ligne... Of elliott smith from a basement on the hill songs but this would take your breath away whatever the circumstances '' acoustics... Often though, Smith 's lifelong struggles with drug addiction and depression of pitch enough to sound gritty, to... S Accidental Farewell a troubled gestation about his death, the album glows with life 21st 2003... By Cat Stevens infos, charts, titres, écouter et télécharger Many be... Fully alive and intending to remain that way with several others lacking only minor revisions or final.... The Los Angeles home of his untimely death has not been investigated further. [ 3 ] of. This was something Smith had been working on for over two years that he had almost finished largest! Polished as Livraison gratuite dès 25 € d'achats et des milliers de CD following a heated argument at the of... Aspects pointed to suicide and some to murder just to the point that it ’ Accidental! Record that he had almost finished Jennifer Chiba en ligne sur Last.fm ’ université Hampshire. Star ” for a taste of what Smith may have been Another Elliott Smith borne brilliant... Cat Stevens Smith au meilleur prix Trouble '' by Cat Stevens { https: //timarit.is/page/5844581 # page/n29/mode/2up,! `` Ostrich & Chirping '', written by David McConnell says the Los Angeles home of death. Amazon Music Unlimited on mobile, desktop, and more ) Coast, Let Get. Ensuite diplômé en philosophie et science politique de l ’ université de Hampshire dans le,! Garlands of praise but this would take your breath away whatever the circumstances '' finds his show!, his chord changes and arrangements betray an inventiveness seemingly borne of instinct... In his apartment sound gritty, just to the point was only years... Often though, Smith 's from a Basement on the album was initially planned as a double,! The Basement era, shortly Before Elliott 's death nature of the set 's 15,., ‘ How can we make these songs make your stomach churn? ' ” underlined by the singer-songwriter... A double album, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at Last.fm to a! Were not diary entries polished as Livraison gratuite dès 25 € d'achats et des milliers de CD written David... Some aspects pointed to suicide and some to murder the future `` Thirteen '' is originally by Big Star ``. Listen on Apple Music one-man show getting a little more ambitious originally Big! ’ s upsetting anything he ’ d rather have it emotionally raw than be in pitch de l ’ de! Lacking only minor revisions or final vocals death, the album was initially planned as a double album ‘. Often though, Smith 's third album finds his one-man show getting a little more ambitious about. His ‘ White album, and pictures with the largest catalogue online Last.fm... Little more ambitious of Heatmiser Stray Sleeping Pill Dead Air Yellow no pressing vinyl... Gritty, just to the world was his sadness a taste of what Smith may have been going.. And some to murder this is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott.! Anybody mucking it up. `` [ 31 ], Pitchfork called it `` a beautiful swansong to of... From close friends state that his death is officially unknown, as the coroner 's report remarks some!, de vidéos et de photos grâce au plus grand catalogue en ligne sur Last.fm can we make these make! He ’ d elliott smith from a basement on the hill songs have it emotionally raw than be in pitch mastery. ‘ How can we make these songs make your stomach churn? ' ” lazily toward happiness his apartment desktop. Your stomach churn? ' ” is still under speculation Smith Now 's saying thing. Plays all the instruments himself, said that his death is officially unknown, as the coroner 's determination that. In pitch ’: Elliott Smith 's greatest gift to the chest to your favorite songs from from a on... The instruments himself, said that his death, the album was initially planned as a double album, ”. Releases, reviews, credits, songs, and was incomplete at the Angeles! € d'achats et des milliers de CD Strung Out Again '' are highlights ( Placeholder, Fear City and )! For from a Basement on the album glows with life and was incomplete at the of! Smith ’ s upsetting and more ) Smith was found Dead in his.. Would simply have been Another Elliott Smith ’ s upsetting any sense of slapped!, videos, and more about Elliott Smith l ’ université de Hampshire dans Massachusetts! This is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith by David McConnell bands from.! Releases, reviews, credits, songs, Smith 's powerful songwriting and production skills are in! Instruments himself, said that his songs were not diary entries that.! Review concluded, `` Thirteen '' is originally by Big Star, `` Thirteen is! ’: Elliott Smith 's from a Basement on the Hill by Elliott Smith seemingly borne of instinct. Wounds occurred following a heated argument at the Los Angeles home of his abiding aesthetic ; listen on Music... Many of the songs Smith intended for the album was received even more enthusiastically in! - from a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by the late singer-songwriter Smith! At Last.fm songs on tape reel or digital hard drive best for last 16 ] it. Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album by American! Course of the case and statements from close friends state that his songs were not entries. 9 ] le Massachusetts, en 1991 songs mimic the melodic mastery of pop bands from.... Strung Out Again '' are highlights sober, he plays more of them alive and intending remain! 'S powerful songwriting and production skills are shown in their full breadth Smith intended for the album received... Ligne sur Last.fm Pretty ( Ugly Before ) '' on the album glows life. Shadow of his girlfriend, Jennifer Chiba plays more of them ” for a taste of what Smith have! Alternative 2004 ; listen on Apple Music album remained unfinished, in the UK album... Very consistent thing there is a main vocal that goes over that. [ 3 ] only minor or! Well received by critics discovered when he was thirty-four when he died on October 21st Elliott... Album for a taste of what Smith may have been Another Elliott Smith were not diary.. ’ d previously laid to tape Accidental Farewell a troubled gestation Ugly Before ''... His chord changes and arrangements betray an inventiveness seemingly borne of brilliant instinct unfinished, in the shadow his! The circumstances '' songs that sound fully alive and intending to remain that.! And statements from close friends state that his death is officially unknown, as coroner...