This album is a two-disc compilation of the late Elliott Smith’s recently rare and unreleased songs from a period in Elliott Smith’s life where he began releasing his solo music (1994-1997). The compilation also includes a cover of Big Star’s “Thirteen.” The compilation as a whole is very accessible, yet a poor surface reading might classify this as a drone and dreary album. In its simplicity, Smith’s voice and rather consistent dynamic spread create a beautiful sound that has depth in its moments of sadness, anger and its happy interventions. Track one; “Angels in the Snow” sets the tone for the whole album with paradoxically somber sounding lyrics that serve the dual purpose of evoking a depression and a celebration of his love for the Angel. As for influences and musical similarities, momentarily, track three on the second disc, “Big Decision,” has a certain resemblance to some of the classic Violent Femmes songs. Also, “Fear City” has a repeating chord progression similar to some of those created by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. The mood of this compilation is very true to what Elliott Smith delivers in his other albums. The lyrics help to drive this point home, especially in New Monkey:
He’s in my ear
Wants me to live in denial
Says you’ve gotta settle for something
Though it might not be really living
Anything is better than nothing
The cover echoes the simplicity of Smith’s art of song making. The album cover incorporates the colors Vincent Van Gogh used in his early paintings and is reminiscent of his painting “Stary Night.” Overall, this album is solid; listen to it straight through or on shuffle. Specifically check out “Angel in the Snow,” “High Times,” “Looking Over My Shoulder”, “Fear City,” “New Monkey,” and “Either/ Or”.
