Elliott Smith's second studio album was recorded in 1994 into 1995 and originally released July 1995 - his first on the Kill Rock Stars label. With a dark, minimalist acoustic sound, Smith's acoustic guitar is the lone instrument save for the occasional appearance of the harmonica and drums. The album produced one single "Needle In the Hay", which was actually released in January 1995, prior to the album itself.
"Elliott Smiths self-titled second album was his first for the Kill Rock Stars label and also his first major artistic statement. Its sound is fairly similar to that of Roman Candle - its mostly just Smith and his gently finger picked acoustic guitar, embellished a bit more often with drums, harmony vocals, and the odd additional instrument. The main difference here is that Smiths melodies and lyrics reveal their greater strength and substance with repeated listens. And make no mistake, the songs do require repeated listens - not just because of Smiths often whispery, spider web-thin delivery, but also because of his deceptively angular melodies and chord progressions, which threaten to float away until the listener hears them enough to latch on and know where theyre going. Smith is often compared to Paul Simon or the Beatles in their softer moments, but perhaps the best touchstone for this early sound is Nick Drakes even more minimalistic Pink Moon; while Smiths language is rawer and tougher than Drakes haunting poetics, his songs also deal with depression and loneliness, creating an almost uncomfortable intimacy with their bare-bones arrangements." - All Music Guide
Features:
Vinyl LP
Selections:
1. Needle in the Hay
2. Christian Brother
3. Clementine
4. Southern Belle
5. Single File
6. Coming up Roses
7. Satellite
8. Alphabet Town
9. St. Ides Heaven
10. Good to Go
11. The White Lady Loves You More
12. The Biggest Lie
"Elliott Smiths self-titled second album was his first for the Kill Rock Stars label and also his first major artistic statement. Its sound is fairly similar to that of Roman Candle - its mostly just Smith and his gently finger picked acoustic guitar, embellished a bit more often with drums, harmony vocals, and the odd additional instrument. The main difference here is that Smiths melodies and lyrics reveal their greater strength and substance with repeated listens. And make no mistake, the songs do require repeated listens - not just because of Smiths often whispery, spider web-thin delivery, but also because of his deceptively angular melodies and chord progressions, which threaten to float away until the listener hears them enough to latch on and know where theyre going. Smith is often compared to Paul Simon or the Beatles in their softer moments, but perhaps the best touchstone for this early sound is Nick Drakes even more minimalistic Pink Moon; while Smiths language is rawer and tougher than Drakes haunting poetics, his songs also deal with depression and loneliness, creating an almost uncomfortable intimacy with their bare-bones arrangements." - All Music Guide
Features:
Vinyl LP
Selections:
1. Needle in the Hay
2. Christian Brother
3. Clementine
4. Southern Belle
5. Single File
6. Coming up Roses
7. Satellite
8. Alphabet Town
9. St. Ides Heaven
10. Good to Go
11. The White Lady Loves You More
12. The Biggest Lie
