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From a Basement on the Hill
 
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From a Basement on the Hill

~ Elliott Smith
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
Price: £7.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
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From a Basement on the Hill + Either/Or + XO
Price For All Three: £18.54

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  • This item: From a Basement on the Hill ~ Elliott Smith

    In stock.
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  • Either/Or ~ Elliott Smith

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  • XO ~ Elliott Smith

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Product details

  • Audio CD (18 Oct 2004)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Domino
  • ASIN: B0002U0O8Q
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 30,549 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Coast to Coast
2. Let's Get Lost
3. Pretty (Ugly Before)
4. Don't Go Down
5. Strung Out Again
6. Fond Farewell
7. King's Crossing
8. Ostriches & Chirping
9. Twilight
10. A Passing Feeling
11. Last Hour
12. Shooting Star
13. Memory Lane
14. Little One
15. A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
There's always a stigma attached to posthumous albums; witness the releases of Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, even Jimi Hendrix and see the formula repeat-most releases are of a standard far below the artist's established catalogue, but are lapped up eagerly by the devoted. The posthumous release of From a Basement on a Hill from Elliott Smith, a man so often on the cusp of commercial acceptance, means that this album, regardless of its quality, will always tagged his 'death disc'. The injustice is that it is without doubt the most enjoyable album that Smith ever produced. Sounding as potent as ever with his trademark sound (imagine George Harrison permanently fronting The Beatles, but with power chords), the opening rock 'n' roll crunch of "Coast To Coast" sets out the blueprint for this excellent album, taking in acoustic delicacy and squalling guitars in equal measure, offering only an ambiguous hint of his passing on "A Fond Farewell", but flooring the listener with its sheer brilliance. The collision of chaos and melodic beauty puts this album in the five-star bracket and should be heard by all rock-music fans; it's just a shame Elliot Smith isn't around to enjoy the acclaim. --Thom Allott

From the Label
The release of this album coincides with the first anniversary of Elliott Smith’s death. From a Basement on a Hill retains something of the "grand sound" of his acclaimed Figure 8 and XO records, and combines it with the intimacy so integral to the breakthrough Either / Or and his first two albums. At times simply stunning in its scope and tightly wound melodic dexterity, From a Basement on the Hill has all the power and poise Elliott has become known for.

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Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
5 star:
 (17)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fond and beautiful farewell from a friend, 18 Oct 2004
By D. Macphee "phacmee!" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Released from his contract with Dreamworks 'From a Basement...' allows Smith to indulge in his more experimental whims. Whereas 'Figure 8' was suffocated slightly by pressure of commercial success "From a Basement...' cuts loose and is sometimes a sprawling affair, far removed from what Smith has done to date. In fact, this is Smith's heaviest album by some margin. The first track 'Coast to Coast' begins with a ghostly orchestra before rocking into what sounds like a lost Heatmiser song. The heaviest number is without doubt 'Strung Out Again' which starts out with Smith's trademark intricate chord progressions and erupt into an amazing chorus with dischordant guitar work that Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood would be proud of.

At times Elliott's lyrical honestly becomes almost too hard to listen to, detailing his addictions and time in hospital. His most brutal song, 'Memory Lane' is set to a jaunty fingerpicked guitar and features the lyrics: "Uncomfortable apart, it's all written on my chart, that i take what's given to me, most cooperatively, i do what people say and lie in bed all day, absolutely horrified, i hope you're satisfied".

The only gripe would be that the Disney-esque bird noises of 'Ostriches & Chirping' is credited as a 'song' but is really an intro to 'Twilight'. Having recorded over 30 songs for this album surely the two could have been merged as one and another song could have been included.

Elliott's songwriting has often been compared (quite rightly) to the Beatles and this album definitely draws comparisons with 'The White Album' because of it's scope of creativity. But, unlike the Beatles' effort, EVERYONE will fall in love with this record.

Elliott has, yet again, raised the bar for songwriting brilliance. It's a shame there's now no-one around to better it (media celebrated artists such as Damien Rice don't even come close). A stunning reminder of a truly unique talent. A sad reminder of what we have lost.

An essential buy and 5 shooting stars, no question.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty flippin good, 31 Mar 2006
Well, this album contains possibly the best song ever written. This song being "twilight". Other stand out tracks include "coast to coast", "Last hour" and "lets get lost".
Elliot Smith was a fantastic talent and is a massive loss to the music business. He hasn't made one poor album and this, though not his best, is his final stamp on all things beautiful and twisted. If you're not too sure about buying an elliott smith album you should listen to key tracks first. i promise you will feel you NEED every album after listening to "needle in the hay" "coming up roses" "clementine" "rose parade" "miss misery" and the fore mentioned songs. this'll learn ya!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An infectious, broody and contemplative masterpiece, 29 Nov 2004
By Mr. D. B. Burt "dan" (Oxford, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
An essential purchase, as all of the other reviewers have stated. Not easy listening at times (but Elliott never was!), but an infectious, broody and contemplative masterpiece that is definitely my album of the year, and would certainly be one of my desert island discs. My words could never describe this album, but I urge you to let the words and music do that for you - this is one of the most 'real' records I have ever had the privelege to hear, with elements of Neil Young's 'On The Beach' or 'Tonights The Night', The Beatles, The Beach Boys, echoes of The Smiths, and yet a unique take all of its own. Such a sad loss for music - RIP Elliott. 5 Stars, without a shadow of a doubt.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Bloomin' amazing.
Although I have only recently discovered Elliott Smith, he has quiickly become one of my favourite arists-simply due to his songwriting talent and melodic charm. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mrs. J. Graham

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fond Farewell
I haven't got much to say that hasn't been said before, but this is one of my all-time favourite albums and I just wanted to add to the long list of tributes. Read more
Published on 10 May 2007 by International Cowgirl

5.0 out of 5 stars i like alot
if you've never heard him, or of him then you should. quite the best singer/songwriter of the nineties. if you have heard of him you're already his biggest fan. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2007 by A. J. Donohue

5.0 out of 5 stars How do I get this out of my CD player...!?!
This album is so good that four months after getting it, it is still in my CD player! Just buy it - I'll refund your money if you don't like it!
Published on 12 Mar 2005 by Mr. Simon Watson

5.0 out of 5 stars The most fantastic thing I've heard in quite some time
This album was the first Elliott Smith album I've ever bought, and just two months afterwards, I would consider myself a fan.

It simply is fantastic. Read more

Published on 15 Jan 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic gem
Buy this album whilst the great public carries on with their life, head in the clouds unaware of the sheer beauty that was Elliott Smith. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2004 by S. Mills

5.0 out of 5 stars Another awesome record
I was a little dubious about this release. Almost expecting a stitched together collection of unfinished tracks. But we are talking about an Elliott Smith record. Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2004 by Leon

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartbreaking goodbye to an incredible songwriter
From A Basement On The Hill is much more than a suicide note. Like Warren Zevon's The Wind, Joy Division's Closer or Hope Of The States' debut The Lost Riots, it is too good an... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2004 by Mike Mantin

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece
For me, this is his finest ever work. You are instantly drawn into his world and although it's very dark and depressing, it somehow keeps you wanting more. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2004 by A. Bowen

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent in ever sense of the word
The album may be a bit darker then smiths earlier work but is still as captivating as ever.
Like all his other albums, this ones gives you all the deep and meaningful songs we... Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2004 by D. Agha-Jaffar

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From a Basement on the Hill
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