Figure 8 (Elliott Smith)

Elliott Smith was a diamond in the rough -- one of the most underrated musicians/artists that I have ever encountered. A tortured soul that sacrificed a lot for his music. This album, IMO, was his shining achievement. If you give his music a chance, you won't regret it.

3 1/2 It is a testament to this man's indie-pop songwriting finesse, that perhaps his least popular major studio offering, which has been criticized of inconsistencies, remains a pretty solidly engaging disc. It's ok not to call the influential arranger super-unique; Smith's gifts were for taking what had influenced him so profoundly and molding it in clever and exciting new ways. Few would be able to make derivative sound so fresh and inspired.

There is no doubt in my mind that this sits at the same height as The Beatles' greatest work and should be listened to by everyone who likes them. While it is admittedly much more down in the lyrical content, the melodies are sublime and joyous in a way. I started out with Either/Or but this is much, much better, and next I'll be getting his self titled. Regardless of whether you like his early albums, here Elliot Smith is at the peak of his compositional powers and you should definitely listen to this album.

What most people will find here, is a collection of marginally depression, hookless indy pop. After a time, the songs largely start to run together and sound the same. Not a bad album by any means, but certainly not worthy of the praise it receives in this listener's opinion. Trust me, you can skip this one.

Steven Paul Smith was born on August 6, 1969 in Omaha. He later changed the name Steven to Elliott. He felt it sounded less "jock-like." I do believe Elliott Smith had a really amazing if not sad and lonely kind of voice. I can feel a bit more uplifting type of mood coming from Elliott Smith's Figure 8, his best and last studio record before he died. Ever since the end of his band Heatmiser, his solo work became more personal and less abrasive. It's hard to imagine at one point he was part of just another small punk/grunge band, who not many have heard of. Many would prefer "Either/Or." Which seems optimistic at times, but kind of sad to me. At this time few singer/songwriters could match Elliott's level of intensity through lo-fi "folk-punk" intimacy. That release sparked interest in the director of Good Will Hunting, Gus Van Sant- who used some of Elliott's songs for his picture. They met while Elliott lived in Portland. Also this exposure proppelled Elliott Smith to major-label ... Read more

I would agree with Patrick Burnett's comments from 5 years ago. I recently ended a relationship and Elliott has been on repeat since the summer. His music fits perfectly with those moments where you feel like there is nothing left. But in a way, the beauty behind his music lifts your spirit like nothing else. "Everything Means Nothing To Me" was the first song I ever heard from Elliott just last year and it is a small portion of the brilliance found throughout this whole album. The acoustically amazing "Somebody I Used to Know" and "I Better Be Quiet Now", the very Beatlesque "Pretty Mary K" and "Happiness" are just a few of the standouts in my mind. "Bye" is such a haunting album-ender that gives me chills everytime I hear the echo of the piano. "Figure 8" has such a wide variety of sound that only a musical genius like Elliott Smith could create. His soft angelic voice along with beautiful melodies make this an album that will forever be labeled "perfection" in my mind. Re... Read more

RIP. Maybe the finest talent of a generation is lost.

I remember when i first heard Elliott Smith. Sitting in a theater watching Good Will Hunting was where I, and probably alot of others, got my very first glimpse of Smiths sorrowful voice and guitar. Though having released a couple albums prior, his work for the GWH soundtrack brought him an Acadamy Award nomination, and a performance at the awards show. Smith, since then, has released two albums , X/O and Figure 8. Many feel X/O is Smiths best released work to date and i use to agree, but Figure 8 has been quickly growing on me. His two previous albums, Either/Or and X/O, brought to him a dedicated following of fans hooked on Smiths melancholy, sometimes downright depressing, songs. Filled with lyrics that scratch at his relationships in life, not only with people but with places and himself as well, his songs at some point leave alot of people nodding and saying, " yeah, i know how you feel". Combining his singing with some of the catchiest most beautiful music I've ever heard wil... Read more