Songs You Need To Hear Now #29
Plus, happy 25th to Elliott Smith's 'XO.'
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Here is some great new music I’ve been listening to this week. Thanks to everyone who is saving the playlist! Please be sure to follow and “like” for all of the latest updates 🙏
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Although it’s not related to this week’s new music playlist, I have to say that I can’t believe that Elliott Smith’s XO celebrates twenty-five years today. Well, I guess I can because it’s one of those records I feel like I’ve been listening to forever, but also, time flies when you’re having fun even though no one believes you cos you’re listening to Elliott Smith with your headphones on.
Roman Candle and Elliott Smith are both excellent, understated records, but Either/Or and XO really pulled me into Elliott’s world in early high school. Although choosing your favorite Elliott Smith record is like choosing your favorite depressed, eccentric child, I have to throw XO out there as mine. Either/Or is flawless, a lo-fi beauty that marks the first time that Smith worked with Rob Schnapf, who would help define his sound for the remainder of his short life. It was also the last time that Smith was on an indie label in Kill Rock Stars.
XO is where Smith makes the jump to the big leagues. Trading houses for recording studios and a new contract with Dreamworks Records, XO is one of those masterpieces that documents an artist successfully jumping to the majors and still sounding like themselves on the other side. While the front half is chock full of classics like “Sweet Adeline,” “Tomorrow Tomorrow,” “Waltz #2,” and “Baby Britain,” I’ve always loved some of the latter tracks, with “Amity” being a favorite. Folk Elliott is always welcome, but I always appreciate when he cranked things up like his earlier Heatmiser days - “Amity” is full of gorgeous tones, and I absolutely love the piano accompaniment.
I wish we lived in a world where Elliott Smith found the help he needed, but his music remains a gift that finds new fans daily. So, on this rare cloudy August day, I’m listening to XO for the millionth time.
What’s your favorite Elliott Smith album/song? Let me know in the comments!
These songs are also included in the ever-popular Good Ass Songs 2023 playlist. At over three hundred songs and counting, it’s the best way to catch up on another excellent year of music!
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Can’t pick something to listen to? Throw on Earwormz!
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My favourite is a deep cut called The Enemy Is You, a song that I downloaded by accident during the Napster era and that has been in heavy rotation ever since.
Baby Britain too. What a perfect song really! Thanks for this! As someone with three Elliott Smith tattoos and one inspired, in part, by Elliott, I appreciate it!