I searched the internet for days when I heard Elliott died, seeking quotes from friends and collegues, just lapping it all up. Everyone was sad and lamented that they couldn't do more to help him, but Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips said something to the effect of, "I'm fucking tired of watching rock stars die." His point was that he was angry with Elliott, for embracing the despair like a drug addict, knowing that it will help his art. Coyne was also hurt and betrayed and sad and all the other things, and I feel all those also but the anger as well. Because Coyne was angry at himself, too, for not doing more to help Elliott. Anyway, I don't think about Elliott the dead rock star anymore. I just listen to his music and wallow in the bliss. I mean, hey, I never knew the guy anyway. That was just an illusion created by the music, an illusion he projected. Fuck that. I have enough dead friends who knew my name. Sorry Elliott, Jeff, Kurt and the rest. Someone misses you dearly, but it's not me. I just miss your tunes.

Don't leave us hanging. What are the details of the conspiracy?

It did, but don't get me started on that.  Let's just say that there are a small number of Elliott Smith fans that actually buy the official record of his death.
 

That voice moved me through some big obstacles. So sorry it did not do the same for him.

That voice moved me through some big obstacles. So sorry it did not do the same for him.

From the first time I heard Elliot, I knew had a spent some time absorbing the Fab Four.

Absolutely.  His music drips with Beatles influence.  I do have a strong background in music theory and agree that he approaches songwriting in a way that not many are doing these days.  Very strong melodies in every piece of the puzzle.

  From the first time I heard Elliot, I knew had a spent some time absorbing the Fab Four.

I know I'm going to sound like a total music snob when I say this...but I'm always surprised by discussions about Elliott Smith that don't mention music theory.  Analysis and appreciation of theory being what I enjoy most about music, I've always been captivated by Elliott and his unique style of songwriting.
Without rambling about the specifics, his melodies and chord progressions are just different — maybe not unique per se but quite different from just about anything I can think of outside of classical music.
That said, I remember clearly the first time I heard this song and the way I sat there with my jaw dropped, shaking my head unable to find the proper words for about a minute afterward, before playing it again.  It's so rare that a song will do that to me on the first listen, and it happened so many times with Elliott...

Elliott's guitar skills are very underrated.

Elliott's guitar skills are very underrated.

what do people make of the "New Moon" stuff?

all agreed, but he was dreadful when I saw him live, in London after X/O came out. He bludgeoned all the subtlety out of the songs by playing everything as a power trio. And turned down some requests because "I don't have an acoustic guitar with me", which is odd seeing as it's the main instrument on that album.
definitely a terrible loss though.
what do people make of the "New Moon" stuff?

Great songwriter, incredible guitarist, and a terrible loss. I'm glad I got to see him when I did.

I am completely flummoxed by the appeal of this artist.

Such gorgeous music. Such a waste of a great talent. So sad.

....miss you Elliott....

that guitar work is gangbusters, as is all of his work. would have liked to see him live...

at least we have the tunes we do :) and we should be thankful for that. And no doubt, these artists influence other artists, and the cycle continues. Long live Music!