By REVIEW BY CYNTHIA VAZQUEZ ONTHESHELVES
Elliott Smith’s latest release, “New Moon,” proves that there really can be too much of a good thing. The two-disc collection contains 24 unreleased tracks recorded for the Kill Rock Stars label from 1994–1997; the time period in which Smith released his self-titled album and “Either/Or,” both of which received huge critical acclaim.
At times, the new collection can feel a little heavy — after all, Smith wasn’t the most cheerful guy and 24 tracks is a daunting dose — regardless of the artist. Adding to this weighty problem is that most listeners will no doubt be thinking of his death — particularly with tracks like, “Riot Coming,” where the punk-folk singer foreshadows dark and drugged days. In October of 2003, Smith was found dead in his home of stab wounds. The events surrounding his death were questionable and the case remains open with the Los Angeles Police Department.
It’s tempting upon first learning of Smith’s latest collection to think he’s been “Tupac’d” — an indiscriminate release of music following the artist’s death — but engineer, and archivist for Smith’s estate, Larry Crane has dutifully compiled an assortment of songs that, to argue semantically, shouldn’t really be called outtakes. Crane’s arrangement captures Smith’s essence — the tracks transition easily between tone and melody — and the compilation fittingly ends with the haunting “Half Right,” a mixed ode — half-plea, half-kiss off — to a friend who’s essentially a lost cause.
“Over My Shoulder” is something of a mess, but perhaps it works in that its abrupt chord shifts reflect the lyrical content. Smith satirizes his relationship with a girl he can’t stand — he has to numb himself with drugs in preparation for when she and her friends “start to bitch and moan about being alone” — but still wants to bed. Smith’s soft, harmonious voice gives the song an eerie quality as he scathingly criticizes — all the while, sounding as if he’s moments from snapping.
In direct juxtaposition to “Over My Shoulder” is “Thirteen” — a sweet and hopeful two-and-a-half minute song about a young crush backed up by a simple acoustic melody and Smith’s yearning voice. And joining the goodie-bag is an early version of “Miss Misery,” the Oscar-nominated song from the “Good Will Hunting” soundtrack.
For the most part, outtakes should remain hidden in a dark and dusty corner of obscurity for some future music geek to drool over as “a find.” There’s usually a reason for these tidbits not making their way into the light and although it’s true of some of the songs on “New Moon,” almost all of the 24 tracks are worthy of notice on a standard album, which then raises the question that perhaps the collection should have been released as two separate albums.
Although many of the collection’s songs stand up alone, the voluminous amount of material threatens to overwhelm the listener — enveloping them in a Smith-induced haze and possibly the only ones willing to enter that fog are hard-core Elliott Smith fans. (Kill Rock Stars)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 21, 2007. Read the original PDF.