By Nicole Pope
Recently a friend said to me, "You are one of the few people I know who aren't obsessed with Elliott Smith." Ordinarily after a comment like this my music-nerd alarm would go off, and I'd think, It can't be! I can't be the only one who doesn't get it! And I would promptly run to my computer and begin researching, listening, digesting.
The truth is, I know the stranglehold Smith's legacy has on music fans. It's the precise reason I've sidestepped his vast, impressive collection.
Recently my husband was telling me about one of his coworkers who is obsessed with Elliott Smith. As obsessed as he could be, I guess, without knowing about Smith's tragic suicide. It's been nearly five years since the 34-year-old stabbed himself not once, but twice, in the heart, leaving legions of fans feeling similarly wounded. Of course, there are those who say Smith's death wasn't a suicide at all. These conspiracy theorists are the ones who have the hardest time saying goodbye -- keeping the mystery of his death alive keeps the mystery of the man, and more importantly his music, alive.
Unlike my husband's arguably lucky coworker, I knew all
the grisly details of Smith's suicide before encountering his music. Last year when the posthumous B-side/outtakes collection New Moon was released to critical acclaim, I downloaded the album, and after a cursory listen, tucked it away for another day. Perhaps the title too eerily resembled Nick Drake's somber farewell Pink Moon. Every time I've come near New Moon or any of Smith's albums, I hear those tinges of isolation, desperation, fatalism -- feelings many of my favorite artists express, yet will never act on as Smith did.
Perhaps my aversion to Elliott Smith deals with why I listen to sad music in the first place. Some of my friends say they cannot listen to singer-songwriter-type-music because it takes them to a dark place. I, on the other hand, listen to that music to suit my mood, and, after wallowing in it for a bit, to eventually emerge grateful, optimistic, content. Literature critics say you cannot assume the writer is the narrative voice in a work -- regardless, I can't listen to Elliott Smith without being reminded of the bleakness of the world, the futility of our dreams, and ultimately, the certainty of death.
Once more I'm reminded of the rhetorical question, "What came first, the music or the misery?" Do I listen to Elliott Smith because I'm miserable? Or am I miserable because I listen to Elliott Smith?
Friday, February 8, 2008
Column:
Why I Can't Love Elliott Smith
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I think it takes a certain level of misery to listen to Elliot Smith and all sad music. When you are truly happy you can't go on those sad music binges that so often happens.
I'm reminded of a story the guitarist of Rubyhorse told before they put out their second cd Goodbye to All That(independently), he talked of how they made sure the lead singer/songwriter broke up with his gal so they'd make a better cd. I think that says it all.
Not counting live material I think I have every scrap of Elliott's work that can be found, anywhere...
that being said,
I'm not sure I would start some one off with New Moon if I was going to introduce them to his music. To me that's like telling some to check out Bee Hives if they wanted to hear Broken Social Scene... but that just me. I do however think I would tell some to start at the beginning, Roman Candle...
Perhaps I should have gone more in depth with discussing his actual music, but the thing is that I actually do really like everything I've heard. (I have XO and have listened to Either/Or and Figure 8 before, though not extensively.) I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it's not about whether the music is good, it's that I'm not ever in the mood to listen to it because of the overwhelming melancholy surrounding his work.
Maybe Roman Candle would be a little less of a downer? I don't know.
Tying this back to Nick Drake, I do find myself wanting to listen to "Five Leaves Left" far more than "Pink Moon." The production/orchestration reminds me a lot of Beck's "Sea Change," though again, with a less depressing mood.
That is all.
I feel like you when I listen to elliot smith. his music is great, it actually reminds me of the first time I had sex. The next day I just wanted to lay in bed all day.
ES's music makes me want to lay in bed all day --hitting repeat on Miss Misery.
Also, great article. Every song is like mourning his death.
I feel like you when I listen to elliot smith. his music is great, it actually reminds me of the first time I had sex. The next day I just wanted to lay in bed all day.
ES's music makes me want to lay in bed all day --hitting repeat on Miss Misery.
Also, great article. Every song is like mourning his death.
I completely disagree with what "G" said. To say that truly happy people can't or don't listen to sad music makes little sense. All humans experience both sadness and happiness; if they didn't know one they wouldn't be able to define the other!
Obviously I'm an Elliott Smith fanatic. But for me it's not about whether it's a sad or upbeat (Elliott) song; the point is, very few people write songs with that level of technical and artistic skill. And of course I'm saddened and devestated that the man died when and how he did but (unlike the author of this post)that does nothing to diminish my adoration of his musical and lyrical brilliance.
Post a Comment