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Elliott Smith - From a Basement on the Hill
Album Details
- Artist: Elliott Smith
- Album: From a Basement on the Hill
- Label: Anti
- Year of Release: 2004
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: Estee Schwartz on 2004-11-26
- Viewed: 1287 times
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Elliott Smith's final album, From the Basement on the Hill comes off limp and hollow. There's a lack of detail in comparison to his previous albums. Electronics are used more frequently that seem to fill empty melodies in panic. The whole album, sounds of a last desperate empty breath floating over everyone who listens. Disappointment should not be used to describe this album, but more of exhaust. Not one of his 6 solo albums is as direct as From a Basement on the Hill, and not one of the 6 is as empty.
A Fond Farewell, sounds as if it could have fit comfortably on Elliott's last album, Figure 8. It is sung with a light melody, but with heavy dejected lyrics, singing of how his life is a failed visit, and how who he really is can not perceived by others. Kings Crossing starts off with Elliott's poetry being spoken softly, faint murmurs and light eerie sounds that blend into a thick but not dark melody following with lyrics like, "I can't prepare for death more than I already have."
Far from Elliott's finest, From a Basement on the Hill hit number 19 on Billboard's top 200 in the United States. The impact this album caused on the United State's seemingly dimwitted mainstream is befuddling but not unwelcome. The profits from this album go to Free Arts for Abused Children, a fund created by Elliott and Jennifer Chiba (Elliott's last girlfriend and member of "The Happy Ending") that offers financial support for children who are victims of abuse.
A Fond Farewell, sounds as if it could have fit comfortably on Elliott's last album, Figure 8. It is sung with a light melody, but with heavy dejected lyrics, singing of how his life is a failed visit, and how who he really is can not perceived by others. Kings Crossing starts off with Elliott's poetry being spoken softly, faint murmurs and light eerie sounds that blend into a thick but not dark melody following with lyrics like, "I can't prepare for death more than I already have."
Far from Elliott's finest, From a Basement on the Hill hit number 19 on Billboard's top 200 in the United States. The impact this album caused on the United State's seemingly dimwitted mainstream is befuddling but not unwelcome. The profits from this album go to Free Arts for Abused Children, a fund created by Elliott and Jennifer Chiba (Elliott's last girlfriend and member of "The Happy Ending") that offers financial support for children who are victims of abuse.
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Review:
on 2008-07-09 kev_stev Said:
I don't know if I want to argue that his peak was at Either/Or or XO, but I would definitely say that Basement is more worthy of a 5. There are so many worthwhile songs: "A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free" holds some of Elliott's most scathing songwriting; "Coast to Coast" is a brilliant opener, contrasting Elliott's lofty vocals with raw, cacophonous, garage-y instrumentals; "Memory Lane" plays off some classic Elliott acoustic finger-plucking; while "Twilight" is just a drop dead gorgeous, melancholic track. That's just a start, too. There's a whole lot of material on Basement; it is definitely a worthwhile purchase and is up there in Elliott's best releases, in my opinion.
Rating: 8/10
on 2008-07-09 dscanland Said:
Really Kev? Either/Or is far superior in my mind. Elliott Smith's peak for sure.
Rating: 5/10
on 2008-07-09 kev_stev Said:
I actually like Basement, especially beacuse it has "Twilight," one of Elliott's best songs.
Rating: 8/10
Review:
on 2006-12-01 hstisgod Said:
You've given such a top notch review this album gets an extra 2.0 points.
hence I give this album a 7.5. What can I say I like the depressing mooodyness of this album
Rating: 9/10
Review:
on 2006-12-01 dscanland Said:
Ah, From A Basement On The Hill is far from Elliott Smith's best output. I was very disappointed in this album. Estee said it right. I don't think this album deserves a 9.5. Either/or on the other hand, that is a classic. I quite enjoyed Figure 8 as well. It's so sad when a guy like Smith takes his own life though. I think this album would have been better had he been able to properly finish it.
Rating: 5/10
