no. I mean listening to something, and hearing and understanding it is different. One can listen to a song, but not "hear it" or relate it it's meaning.

I just mean to listen to something without an understanding of where it coming from is not the same.

Yes, that's true. But I think I hear enough of a message of despair to know to avoid it. Only if I strongly relate to a sad song (for example, "Black," by Pearl Jam) will I enjoy it, and it probably needs good instrumentation to not depress me excessively.

Yeh he probably is overrated, like Nick Drake. But at least both of them did some good songs.

Some people just can't get into the very personal "man and his acoustic guitar" sound. I can see how some of you guys might want more than that. Elliott was much more talented when you limited him to an acoustic. XO is a great album, but the big studio sound kills a lot of what makes him great, in my opinion. For me, I listen to music that is very intricate and has a lot going on, so sometimes I like to strip away all the fluff and just listen to someone who is genuine. Elliott Smith does that the best.

Elliott's great, but I see why someone wouldn't like him - a bit precious and forced at times. I certainly would call him overrated (unless you're using Sweetaddy as the focal point of that assertion), but definitely underrated.

what? you certain would call him overrated? but definitely underrated?

Just about any artist that passes prematurely or dies in their prime gets inflated appraisal.

But I find Elliot Smith entirely deserving of the praise he gets as a songwriter. His self titled is on my list for favorite album of all time, after all. Amongst other singer/songwriters, especially making music these days, i find him lacking enough praise.

Also, I agree, XO is great, but not my favorite.

Figure 8 is definitely his weakest album as far as I'm concerned. Try Roman Candle, Elliott Smith, Either/Or and From a Basement on the Hill, then say you're unimpressed.

Smith is, along with Leonard Cohen, my favourite singer-songwriter. The intimacy implicit in his records, along with his grasp and use of melody, harmony and chord progressions, totally engrosses me. He also played and arranged all (or the vast majority at least) of the instruments heard on his albums, which is impressive in itself.

He was a very talented man who made music that has the capacity to deeply touch the listener if given a chance. To that end I don't think he gets enough credit. Of course he won't be everybody's cup of tea, but there'll always be those people out there who sh!t on an artist just to be contrary too.

no
 

I don't really like the word overrated. Elliott hits me, not others. Some music hits people but not others. That doesn't mean they're overrated. With many things, there probably are people who like him just for indie cred but there are so many people that are touched by his music, who have and will love his music genuinely forever. I'm 19 and I've listened to his music almost everyday since I can't remember when.. I'm not pretentious or depressive like most Elliott Smith fans are assumed and I don't use him as a tool to look cool.
I don't think anybody is "overrated" really.. I mean, they're famous for what they do/did, they're loved for it, disliked for it. The Beatles, The Smiths, Nirvana, Elliott Smith, Jimi Hendrix have all been called overrated, but at the end of the day they were there for a good reason.

huh? wha? hell, no

if he were overrated, music critics here will be worshipping his albums

i only have Either/Or and it's awesome