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Review Summary: A relatively underrated Lo-fi classic. Let me start with a quote by Kill Rock Stars' founder Slim Moon on the impact Roman Candle made on him;
“In 1994, I had been asked to be on this five-person solo-act tour called Pop Chord with Tammy Watson, Carrie Akre, Sean Croghan and Elliott Smith. The first night at the "Crocodile" in Seattle, I didn't pay too much attention and people talked all thru Elliott's set. Sean Croghan got up next and said "All of you people who just talked through Elliott's set are bummed because you just missed something very very special." The next night of the tour, at "The Bottom of the Hill" in San Francisco, I listened very closely to Elliott's set, and it was basically one of those life-changing moments. Instead of watching the rest of the performers, I went out to the tour van and popped Roman Candle into the player, and listened to it on endless repeat for the rest of the evening and beyond. It completely blew my mind. I have never heard music as heartwrenchingly, gut-checkingly honest, intimate, and wise - before or since.”
...So no wonder why Kill Rock Stars became Smith's next label, which released the two following records, in my opinion his best ones. Anyway, the nine songs on Roman Candle were recorded in a basement by him alone without any intention to release them. That explains why it is by far his most personal album in terms of lyrics, but also the least accessible one (especially for the wider audience). What eventually became the album were his "latest" home-made demos put together by the tiny Portland-based label Cavity Search Records.
Smith's splendid sense of melody and his unique way of fingerpicking are well present here. Take for example the first twenty seconds of "Condor Ave.", a song that he allegedly wrote at the age of 17. Or the closing instrumental, that stands out from his catalogue as something different. It actually sounds like it could be from an old motion picture soundtrack. The opening title-track may be the angriest acoustic song I've ever heard, but at the same time like the rest of the album it manages to be a pleasant listen. All in all, given the circumstances it's a five-star record.
I wanted her to tell me that she would never wake me
I'm lying here waiting for sleep to overtake me
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Album Rating: 4.5
So it's a bit short, but I decided to left it at that. I will edit it and add a pargraph when the remastered version of it is released (in April). It's apparently supposed to reduce the guitar squeaks and the extremely raw sound of the album... I'm looking forward to it, but not sure if it will actually sound better.
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Murdered by his girlfriend, too young, RIP
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last caaaaaaaaall sick of it aaaaaaall
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Murdered by his girlfriend, too young, RIP
Since there'a no proof of it, I wouldn't post comments like that.
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I can see the Sputnik news headline now:
"Boognish sued by Elliott Smith's girlfriend"
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I bet his 'girlfriend' could at least spell his name right >:333
no but for real I blame her too
slut
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Shocking lapse of standards on my part
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It's okay, I forgive you
BUT DOES ELLIOTT!?!?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Actually Elliott wasn't his real name anyway, so he could as well spelled it with one T. (like on the alleged 'suicide note')
Anyway, please talk about the MUSIC or the review.
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No let's talk about SlightlyEpic's adorably cute bears
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they ARE adorable, aren't they? I want to get my hands on a couple so I can cuddle them every single day :3
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Probssss should get this
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And i could have them at weekends?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Seriously cut the bullshit.
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If i wasn't commenting so much your review wouldn't even be showing up on the front page. I'm bumping
it. You should thank me, instead of acting like a bitch throwing a hissy fit.
Back to the real matter at hand. LeMartien, do you like SlightlyEpic's cuddly bears?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Merci beaucoup lad, but I'd be more thankful if you were 'bumping' it by talking about the review or the album, you see? Would probably create more of a conversation than your cuddly bears aswell.
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hey is this the cuddly bears thread?
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[IMG]http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/askville/6666639_18003460_mywrite/ninjabears.jpg[/IMG]
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aaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwww shucks...reviews even shorter than my attention span but elliott's cool
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
The question is... did you even read that short review?
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![http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/askville/6666639_18003460_mywrite/ninjabears.jpg[/IMG]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/askville/6666639_18003460_mywrite/ninjabears.jpg[/IMG]){kind=link}