Elliott Smith

You Should Know


Four years ago today Elliott Smith died in his Los Angeles home from an apparent suicide (although the circumstances surrounding his death have been questioned since). He left behind a rich catalog of music and a throng of grieving fans. Smith's musical career began after he graduated from Hampshire College in Massachusetts in 1991 and his band Heatmiser moved to Portland to pursue a full-time musical career. After three full-length albums, Heatmiser broke up in 1995, although Smith had already begun recording acoustic solo material. In 1994, Elliott released Roman Candle, a collection of demos that didn't fit the Heatmiser project, under Cavity Search Records. He followed his debut with Elliott Smith in 1995 and Either/Or in 1997 under the label Kill Rock Stars. After contributing the Oscar-nominated song "Miss Misery" to the Good Will Hunting soundtrack in 1997, Smith experienced newfound stardom and was signed to DreamWorks Records. Under major label backing, he'd go on to release 1998's XO and 2000's Figure 8. Since his untimely death in 2003, two posthumous albums have been released: 2004's From A Basement On The Hill and this year's New Moon. From A Basement contains material from an album that Elliott was working on before his death and New Moon consists of demos, alternate versions, and b-sides from his Kill Rock Stars years.

With a thin yet undeniably affecting and heartfelt voice, Smith often tackled his demons by singing about his bouts with depression and addiction. In death, the troubled yet truly gifted songwriter has become an immensely celebrated and influential figure. His promising career was cut short at the age of 34. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Heatmiser - Collect To NYC
MP3: Elliott Smith - Needle In The Hay
MP3: Elliott Smith - Rose Parade
MP3: Elliott Smith - Everything Reminds Me Of Her

Tags: Elliott Smith, Heatmiser