Roman Candle: Elliott Smith: Amazon.ca: Music

1. Roman Candle

2. Condor Ave.

3. No Name #1

4. No Name #2

5. No Name #3

6. Drive All Over Town

7. No Name #4

8. Last Call

9. Kiwi Maddog 20/20

Product Description

From Amazon.com

A member of the band Heatmiser, Elliot Smith recorded home demos on any equipment he could get his hands on. His first "solo" album is a cheap four-track home recording that hints at the melodic possibilities Smith would explore in greater detail on subsequent releases. The title track is remarkable but with four songs referred to in sequential order as "No Name #1," "No Name #2," etc. ... the inspiration isn't always fully firing. Blessed with a quiet angelic voice and a lyrical mind that easily transforms the squalid details of everyday life into something worth hearing about twice, Smith stood on the verge of getting it on. With his next, self-titled release, he did.--Rob O'Connor

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing, May 23 2004

By

Exhausted_c0ckroach (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roman Candle (Audio CD)

Just one of the best quiet albums by one of the best artist of this era and probably one of the most underrated artists of this era.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Different and gorgeous., Feb 4 2004

By

"pear2pear" (Brooklyn, NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roman Candle (Audio CD)

Like a previous reviewer, I don't understand why this would be rated even a 10th of a star less than any of his later releases. The recording is not as "slick" as any his later albums, but as is his way, Elliott turns the 4 track to his advantage, though he said it was a "complete mistake" that it ended up sounding this good.

Some of these songs were written when he was still a teenager, a testament to his natural talent. I would not consider the straight-forward lyrical lines to be any less poetic than his later writing. He sets down some themes on this record wich he revisits again and again on later albums from different angles.

Everything about this album is unique.
The guitar work is beautiful, and distinct, the sounds, while limited by the four-track, resemble (after a manner) his later big-studio releases. Anyone who says this sounds like Simon and Garfunkel or Nick Drake is grasping at straws, because so little music of this nature finds the light of day. Elliott eschews typical folk sounds and chords, preferring (for lack of a better metaphor) to make chairs that stand on three legs, instead of four.

This album is not garnish to his other releases, it is key.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Genius!, Oct 28 2003

By

Anna-lizette Conner (Palmdale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Roman Candle (Audio CD)

Roman Candle is one of the best CD's I own. Elliott Smith has his own unique sound. When you hear his music you automatically know it's him. Although he has a distinct sound, no two songs on this CD sound the same.

Unlike many other artists, Elliott Smith's lyrics are meaningful and well written. When you listen to Roman Candle you really feel like you know him. And everyone, at one point, can relate to his words. Not only are they great songs, but they are all written and composed by him. Each and every track on Roman Candle is creative and original.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars definitely one of the best albums ever
not only is this his best album it one of the best albums ever it didn't take more than once to love it i think it will stand up to the times for years to come

Published on Oct 25 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars You will be missed
The passing of Elliott is a great tragedy. His words and music are so honest and beautiful. I love this and every one of his albums, and I can't say enough good about all of his... Read more

Published on Oct 23 2003 by E. Becker