Celebration Of - XO
Written: Jul 04 '04 (Updated Jul 09 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simply brilliant.
Cons: Like all Elliott Smith, it sound similar until you replay it.
The Bottom Line: Get the album. I can't nearly do it justice.
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| hiimfred's Full Review: XO by Elliott Smith |
XO was the second to last album released by Elliott Smith, on August 25, 1998. XO is Smith's wonderful blend of the breathy, acoustic, and depressive songs that came before this album, and the heavily arranged songs of Figure 8 released after this album.
He still has his solid songs with mostly him and his guitar, but we hear the experimentation begin with more background vocals, pianos, orchestration, and definitely a wider arrangement. The songs also pick up a bit from his naturally depressive nature. Be that the case, I still wouldn't suggest this album be played for someone who's jumping up and down for joy for whatever reason.
Although it's hard to make a solid choice, as it is with most good music, XO tends to be my favorite album. It has a selection of songs that can compliment almost any mood, and it really is an emotional release with a few of these songs. Some of them are best listened to under high volume situations whilst in your car and screaming the lyrics. Well, maybe that's just me.
The trickling effects of Sweet Adeline is an innovative way to welcome the listener to this album. It gives the initial feel of a potentially peppy song. That feeling is definitely contrary to the lyrics. It builds to be a very epic song with him singing sweet Adeline with building orchestration. In a sense, it reminds me of a holiday celebration, and as the song boils and breaks loose, it's as if there is an array of fire works. Appropriate for Fourth of July.
It's a picture perfect evening and I'm staring down the sun
Fully loaded deaf and dumb and done
Again Smith's voice perfectly compliments Tomorrow Tomorrow. It has such an urgent sense about it. Of course, the lyrics are dead on with the music, but his vocals are subdued and breathy. The contrast is just stunning. The guitar just dances along with Elliott and picks up a rocking strum. The jam and the vocals enthrall the listener. It is so musically brilliant, that when there is a jam, you forget that there are lyrics to the song. Again, there is the great use of harmony and it drowns out perfectly with the song.
I got static in my head
The reflected sound of everything
Coming in rather abruptly is Waltz #2/XO with a deathmarch-esque drumbeat. This is a heavy hitting song and rather powerful. It has an elaborate story which reminds me of songs from Billy Joel or a more jazzed up Bob Dylan. The piano mixing with the guitar is seamless and addictive. It's a vivid song that is reminiscent of a Western movie. The progression of the song is unlike most catchy songs. Strangely enough, it is a catchy song, and when you sing it, the whole song along with orchestration and arrangement is easily recalled. Overall, it's just a great song.
She appears composed, so she is, I suppose
Who can really tell?
She shows no emotion at all
Stares into space like a dead china doll
Continuing in the theme of using the piano, jolting Baby Britain comes in. It is just Elliott and the piano until the whole band joins in at the second verse. It is just such an arrangement that seems a lot like a song that might appear on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It's a wonderfully sarcastic song and it is just fun to sing along to. Lyrically and musically, it's great, and really keeps the listener intrigued as to what is to follow.
London bridge is safe and sound
No matter what you keep repeating
Nothing's gonna drag me down
To a death that's not worth cheating for
Pitseleh is one of the songs that truly epitomizes the genius that is Elliott Smith. I am generally attached to this song because of what he sings of. It's of heartache, attachment, and giving up a passion. Smartly, it's arranged as a simple song in order to have the lyrics really shine, and have the emotions of Smith highlighted. In the breakdown of the song, it's as if it were a movie and it is at the climax of the movie.
They say that god makes problems
Just to see what you can stand
Before you do as the devil pleases
And give up the thing you love
The main focus of the song Independence Day (again appropriate for Fourth of July) is the guitar that is just so urethral and almost odd sounding. The chord progressions are unlike I've heard and I am always blown away by that. Though the lyrics are great, he is smartly sparse on them and lets the music shine. The melody perfectly compliments the odd chord progression and arrangement. And perfectly, he brings the song to a close lightly with his great guitar riff.
Everybody knows
You only live a day
But it's brilliant anyway
Bled White is a rocking song, and again the use of a Western Story Telling feel is alive and strong. This is one of those songs that I see myself listening to while on a trip cross country and just singing my lungs out and pretending I'm the greatest drummer that ever lived. The lyrics are biting and almost malicious, but just classic. This song has a great bridge that breaks down a bit only to have the song come to a halt to be brought up again.
'Cos I'll have to be high to drag the sunset down
And paint this paling town
Amity - (n) Friendship. Friendly relations between nations.
It was interesting to really hear the electric guitar and I really wasn't prepared for it. For an album of breathy acoustic songs, it is a welcome change of pace. It seems strewn, but it's definitely a controlled chaos with sporadic arrangement grown and dropping. It trails off to a slow repetition until it effectively fades, but it still has left a lasting impression with the music that has permeated through the room.
'Cos you laugh and talk
And 'cos you make my world rock
Oh Well, Okay is just such a brilliant song. It is very George Harrison, which is very common in Elliott Smith. He uses all of my favorite instruments, cellos, pianos, guitars, and he even uses a slide guitar. Melodically and harmony wise, it's great. It is low and high at the same, and it really is one of those rare songs that are bipolar, and it reinstates the fact that it's a brilliant song.
Here's the silhouette
The face always turned away
The bleeding color gone to black
Dying like a day
Due to the title, Bottle Up and Explode!, you are supposedly to prepare for one mega hit of a song. In a way, it's a bit subdued in the beginning, especially during the verses, but the urgency and tension in the song builds up wonderfully to the chorus. The chord progressions are simple, but the music is so intricate and electrifying, due to the use of the electric guitar again.
You look at him like you've never known him
But I know for a fact that you have
Question Mark is such a fun song. It has a bass sax opening the song, and it stays within the song, giving it a funky and fun tinge to it. It's definitely an interesting song for Smith and unlike most he's done. To the untrained Elliott Ear, it might seem repetitious, but it needs replays, trust me. Also, the repetitious nature of it does coincide with the theme of an unanswered question.
Panic called you out and took you in
Giving you an easy game and letting you win
From the beginning of Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands, you instantly understand the seriousness of the song and also what a great song it will be. It has a great melody, and the harmony over his singing is just jaw dropping. After songs of big arrangements, this is just a simple song with the acoustic guitar and a few country licks. This song is just so great and straight to the point, and the lyrics really get that across. Once that point is across, you are left to sit with it as the music and orchestration builds towards the end.
You say you mean well
You don't what you mean
You f*cking outa stay the hell away
From things you know nothing about
Bringing the CD to a close is I Didn't Understand, which is similar to his cover of the Beatles song, Because. It is completely acapella. It is very reminiscent of a choir of angels, and hearing Elliott's voice over the beautiful humming is just stunning. It's easy to lose the lyrics in the song in order to hear the blend of the harmony and melody. Lyrically, it speaks of futility, and the end of a relationship that was clouded. It's one of the songs that you want to listen to in repetition. Brilliantly, Smith closes the album on one note, signifying completion. It really leaves you with something to think about, as well.
You once talked to me about love
And you painted pictures of
A never-neverland and
I could've gone to that place
Track Listing
1. Sweet Adeline
2. Tomorrow Tomorrow
3. Waltz #2 (XO)
4. Baby Britain
5. Pitseleh
6. Independence Day
7. Bled White
8. Waltz #1
9. Amity
10. Oh Well, Okay
11. Bottle Up and Explode!
12. Question Mark
13. Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands
14. I Didn't Understand
It's a great album and most any music appreciator can most definitely appreciate this album. In a way similar to John Lennon, Elliott Smith's music is so alive, that it is uncanny to think that the man is dead. Although the songs are dark and depressive, there is still the ambiguous sense of hope, or at least a want for hope. Maybe he didn't find it, but it still a hard fact to accept. In any circumstance, this is definitely an album to enjoy.
Celebration Of Elliott Smith Series
Elliott Smith - Figure 8
Elliott Smith - Either/Or
Elliott Smith - Elliott Smith
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Listening
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Epinions.com ID:
hiimfred
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Member: Jessica
Location: So. Cal.
Reviews written: 83
Trusted by: 22 members
About Me:
Summer's here, I've graduated, and that means I can actually review again.
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