Elliott Smith:Overrated

sopsych · 07-16-2011, 01:25 PM

I'm listening to that now, uggh. I want music, not half-sung poetry.

BastardofYoung · 07-16-2011, 01:31 PM

it is as I always like to say,everybody listens to music, but not many hear it.

Paedantic Basterd · 07-16-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BastardofYoung

it is as I always like to say,everybody listens to music, but not many hear it.

That seems like a backwards anecdote.

Zer0 · 07-16-2011, 02:22 PM

I only have his self-titled and Either/Or and they are both very good albums. I enjoy his music from time to time but he's not an artist I would listen to that often, I'd just throw on one of his albums when I'm in the mood for him. I wouldn't say he's overrated a such but I just find it hard to see why so many people make such a big fuss over him. His lyrics are brilliant but as regards the music I just need something that bit more to attach myself onto to really immerse myself in it.

BastardofYoung · 07-16-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

That seems like a backwards anecdote.

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.

sopsych · 07-16-2011, 03:05 PM

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.

starrynight · 07-17-2011, 05:37 AM

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

duga · 07-17-2011, 09:28 AM

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.

MamboSun · 07-25-2011, 03:06 AM

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.

BastardofYoung · 07-25-2011, 03:37 AM

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

07-16-2011, 01:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	it is as I always like to say,everybody listens to music, but not many hear it. __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

07-16-2011, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	I only have his self-titled and Either/Or and they are both very good albums. I enjoy his music from time to time but he's not an artist I would listen to that often, I'd just throw on one of his albums when I'm in the mood for him. I wouldn't say he's overrated a such but I just find it hard to see why so many people make such a big fuss over him. His lyrics are brilliant but as regards the music I just need something that bit more to attach myself onto to really immerse myself in it. __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound

07-17-2011, 05:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	Yeh he probably is overrated, like Nick Drake. But at least both of them did some good songs. __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

07-17-2011, 09:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	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. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

07-25-2011, 03:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	what? you certain would call him overrated? but definitely underrated? __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

07-16-2011, 01:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	I'm listening to that now, uggh. I want music, not half-sung poetry.

07-16-2011, 03:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	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.

07-25-2011, 03:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
MamboSun Groupie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	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.