Is it a bad thing if this gets played a lot? Or any other Elliott Smith song for that matter? I don't think so...

lily34 wrote: Kanuffen wrote:

aspicer wrote:
Agreed. Unfortunately that would be WAS excellent.

Just got 3 of his albums the other day and listened to 2 of them straight through last night - he is EXCELLENT!

I downloaded the album. While this is my favorite, the whole set is unbeatable.

I listened to this last weekend as I did a 52 mile (bicycle) training ride. I usually pick very up-tempo songs to keep me pedaling strong, but I found this album to be a refreshing change and I found I could still keep an intense pace.

Never get tired of it!

lily34 wrote:
Should we have grounds to doubt RP's play statistics? Open question....

rdo wrote:
I once heard an author say that he believed that he was most effective as an author when he was in a semi-melancholy state. For whatever reason, I would agree that the tenuous state of 'sanity' (for lack of a better word) that comes to be whilst in emotionally turbulent times can foster richer feelings and a deeper sense of soul, if you will.

But I would not go as far as to say that truly happy people have unvaluable input and appreciation of creative media. I might say, however, that a truly happy person might not be able to proporly articulate the emotive effects or particular details of how, why, where and when a particular piece of music, art or whatever evokes appreciation or an emotional response.

That limbo between sadness and happiness may be that key. Or I am just talking shit.

lily34 wrote:
And thank goodness for that!

rdo wrote:
That is insightful, and very true. I got those goosebump things when I read this. I guess it somehow hit home.

This song is an 11. IMHO as good as songwriting gets.

I could make you satisfied in everything you do
All your secret wishes could right now be coming true
And be forever with my poison arms around you
No one's gonna fool around with us
No one's gonna fool around with us
So glad to meet you
Angeles

With that finger-picking - fucking gorgeous.
Either/Or is simply an amazing LP - my favorite of his - the album in between one guitar & obscurity and underground popularity & the Grammy s.

i swear this gets played every single day or every other day.

I love Elliott's work. So sad that there will not be more.

horstman wrote:

I really believe the curse of being someone like me, someone who is basically down all of the time and has experienced depression, is made up for with the blessing that we get to experience great music/art/literature/film etc... I don't think happy people do. I have never met, or read the writing of, a truly happy person whose opinion on these matters I respect. It's not that I think it is a prerequisite, or a pose or something; it's just that happy people don't understand art - they are not equipped. It's not a choice, and nothing can help them.

Biscobret wrote:

I agree - from Wiki:

Smith died on October 21, 2003, at age 34 from two stab wounds to the chest. < 2 > At the time of the stabbing, he was at his Lemoyne Street home in Echo Park, California , < 63 > where he lived with his girlfriend, Jennifer Chiba. According to Chiba, the two were arguing, < 35 > and she locked herself in the bathroom to take a shower. < 64 > Chiba heard him scream, and upon opening the door, saw Smith standing with a knife in his chest. She pulled the knife out, after which he collapsed and she called 9-1-1 . Smith died in the hospital with the time of death listed as 1:36 p.m. A possible suicide note , written on a Post-it , read, "I'm so sorry—love, Elliott. God forgive me." < 2 > The coroner's report had the name Elliott misspelled as "Elliot," however "a coroner's official told TSG that Smith's first name was misspelled in the report," not on the Post-it note. < 2 >

While Smith's death was originally reported as a suicide , the official autopsy report released in December 2003 left open the question of possible homicide . < 2 >

According to Pitchfork Media , record producer Larry Crane reported on his Tape Op message board that he had planned to help Smith mix his album in mid-November. Crane wrote, "I hadn't talked to Elliott in over a year. His girlfriend, Jennifer, called me and asked if I'd like to come to L.A. and help mix and finish . I said yes, of course, and chatted with Elliott for the first time in ages. It seems surreal that he would call me to finish an album and then a week later kill himself. I talked to Jennifer this morning, who was obviously shattered and in tears, and she said, 'I don't understand, he was so healthy.'" < 65 >

The coroner 's report revealed that no traces of illegal substances or alcohol were found in his system at the time of his death, but did find prescribed levels of antidepressant , anxiolytic and ADHD medications in his system, including Clonazepam , Mirtazapine , Atomoxetine and Amphetamine . < 66 > Also, no hesitation wounds were found on Smith, a trait typical of suicide by self infliction. < 35 > With his death not being officially declared a suicide, journalist Alyson Camus noted numerous discrepancies and contradictions in the case that suggest foul play. < 67 > < 68 > < 69 > However, the authorities do not seem to be investigating the case further. < 70 >

My favorite Elliot Smith album - one of those *perfect* albums. There has never been more beautiful, heartfelt music made by anyone, anytime, anywhere. A true genius (& a true tragedy.)

BijouBijou wrote:
FYT

haresfur wrote:

horstman wrote: