It was this understated elegance that would draw converts to the cult of Elliott Smith. His vocal melodies now carried the delicacy of fine china, threatening to break into a million pieces at any moment the modesty and simplicity of his guitar parts-which often consisted of just a few simple chords-complemented these vocals perfectly. Once again, he needed little more than an acoustic guitar and his fragile voice, but this limited instrumental palette highlighted Smith’s growth as a songwriter. That greatness would begin just a year later, with his self-titled sophomore effort. While distinguished in its own right, “Roman Candle” would ultimately serve as an impressive prelude for greatness to come. Yet there’s a slightly repetitive quality to many of these songs that he’d manage to avoid on subsequent albums. The chorus of the album’s titular track-“I want to hurt him/I want to give him pain/I’m a roman candle/My head is full of flames”-set the tone for his highly confessional style, one that would endear him to a small but devoted legion of followers. From the opening notes of “Roman Candle,” this penchant toward emotional honesty was crystal clear. His music straddled the line between hope and resignation, attempting to reconcile achingly beautiful melodies with lyrics that recounted loneliness, heartbreak and addiction. It still isn’t known if his death came via suicide or murder, and perhaps that’s fitting. Over the next nine years, he would assemble a discography that ranks among the all-time greats before meeting his untimely demise on Oct. Though he first entered the public consciousness (in a limited manner) with Portland band Heatmiser, it wasn’t until the 1994 release of his solo debut, “Roman Candle,” that he began to hit his stride.
It confides in me, trusts me with its deepest, darkest secrets.Įlliott Smith is among a precious few songwriters who can conjure these kinds of feelings.
It doesn’t just entertain me it reveals fears and insecurities I’d only share with the best of friends. It’s therapeutic, and it’s the reason why I can’t live without music. When I’m in the right mood, my favorite albums can move me in ways both exhilarating and terrifying.
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