User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 129 Ratings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 117 out of 129
-
Mixed: 5 out of 129
-
Negative: 7 out of 129
Review this album
-
-
Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.
-
-
Submit
-
Check Spelling
- User score
- By date
- Most helpful
-
[Anonymous]Oct 20, 2005it is amazing it is a great legacy to the artist. and his music will live on with us forever.
-
-
erinDec 11, 2004his best since either/or, and in my opinion, on a similar emotional level as taht album and Elliott's self-titled. Rough and imperfect in its technical production, but still flawless in its beauty--just like the man who made it.
-
-
TeganMApr 23, 2005mmm.. elliott
-
-
MarkWJul 10, 2005the most underpapreciated artist in music history. This guy already was something incredibly special, and it pains me to think what he could have become if he had stayed around. In a time where the word "Genius" is used too loosely, this guy is/was a true genius.
-
-
carlosaNov 4, 2006
-
-
ShaunM.Jan 6, 2006
-
-
MusicLoverMay 7, 2006I thought this album was his best, and I didn't even know about his death until 2 years later.
-
-
TylerVJan 24, 2007This album has so many unforgettable tracks. Any music collection that is absent of this album and the rest of Elliott Smith's catalog is indeed lacking. Every track is worth investing time into and when one does that, they will quickly find several of them to be simply haunting pieces of music.
-
-
AlanRNov 19, 2004His death is one of the most tragic losses of my generation.
-
-
MichaelCOct 18, 2004RIP Elliott. Best album of the year...
-
-
TroyPOct 19, 2004I can't help but listen to this album and feel pain and loss. Yet, in Smith's inimitable way, I feel uplifited by every song. Elliott will be missed by every fan he had and those that this fantastic record makes fans out of.
-
-
AaronS.Oct 20, 2004Smith's final collection of songs is one of the years best CDs (if not THE best). Graceful, beautiful and very melancholy. And all the more moving considering this is his last work. Even though the final track layout was not completed before his death and the CD may or may not be presented as he originally envisioned it, its STILL a very strong CD. Most excellent.
-
-
JayHDec 7, 2004
-
-
gregpJan 29, 2005one of the best albums i've bought in a long time. I kept playing it over and over. i can not get enough of it.
-
-
IsabelBJan 5, 2005This album, whatever else it is, is the kind of music that is hard to come across these days. Filled with raw emotion, and the kind of lyrics and melody that stay with you, not only for the rest of the day, but for the rest of your life. You can hear the torment in his voice, the pain in his music. This album is pure genius, in the rawest form.
-
-
ashleyMar 20, 2005incredible
-
-
JeffMMar 30, 2005The best cd I have ever purchased. I unfortunately missed out on the earlier works Elliot released as I was maybe too young to understand just how moving they were. Today, his music is breathtaking and shouldn;t be missed by anyone.
-
-
DanielRMar 3, 2005A masterpiece in all respects, for me ,it is perfect. I can play Pretty (Ugly Before) over and over again. If only he could have waited to feel pretty again ... Elliott Smith´s music is cathartic for me in its sadness, but it seem it was not cathartic enough for him. Only the good die young. Cheers from Spain
-
-
MikeVSep 23, 2005
-
-
PatrickONov 19, 2006Smith's legacy is as clear as day with this album and is the pinnacle of his works.
-
-
GabridlLSep 27, 2006A work of genius. Better than The Beatles. Smith had a gift.
-
-
AdamS.Oct 20, 2007A swansong, hidden and obfuscated by those who understood his vision but dared not commit themselves.
-
-
MarcusPApr 25, 2007Magnificent album, from "Coast to Coast" to A distorted reality...It really touches one in the heart
-
-
DavidWNov 21, 2008Hard to imagine a better album from start to finish. Truly the greatest songwriter since Dylan and the Beatles.
-
-
WesCNov 30, 2008It's got an 88/100, countless plaudits and its still sorely underrated. Can't be recommended more to Smith fans: it's absolutely essential.
-
-
fionnkApr 27, 2009He is truly timeless and had the most honest voice this blends the best bits of all the other albums some songs have the strip back sond of either/or and some have the musical wizardry of xo god only knows how it would have ended up like but I'm happy we got to hear this.
-
-
DylanTOct 17, 2004This album is absolutely incredible. An incredible tragedy that this is Elliott's last album.
-
-
tomOct 18, 2004this is an amazing album made from an amazing artist.in its simplicity it is beautiful.
-
-
DavidLOct 21, 2004I don't know how one can listen to songs like "King's Crossing" and not see how undeniably great this album is. Just amazing.
-
-
ashleyDec 14, 2004it feels like he's speaking to me sometimes
-
-
yololaJan 25, 2005haunting and perfect voice from who knows where now thank you and i love you baby
-
-
GrahamJApr 26, 2005his most heart wrenching work, equally brilliant and sad, but it's another masterpiece that should send Smith into a legendary underground figure
-
-
LilyDAug 15, 2005Gets better and better with each listen. In time, this man will be properly regarded as the musical genius he was. The groundswell is already building.
-
-
AdamGAug 18, 2005This album is like a fine wine. It gets better with age. I like it more and more every time I listen to it.
-
-
JonLNov 25, 2006
-
-
MyronCMar 27, 2009Over time it just gets more poignannt and transcendent. Although I would have gone for a 9.7 if the option were possible.
-
-
ConnorOJun 23, 2009Amazing album. It's what inspired me to start playing guitar. Elliott Smith is great.
-
-
DerekBNov 11, 2004A wonderful last cd, from a man with such a wonderful career.
-
-
DavidFNov 15, 2004It's been six days since I bought this album and I can't stop listening to it. It hurts to listen, but it's beautiful. This guy would've been the next Dylan.
-
-
Aug 17, 2013
-
Jun 6, 2012The best Elliott Smith album, I wonder how it would turn out if he was still alive. Its so sad how much sadness he carried. It seems often that the people with the most talent and soul are taken so soon.
-
Nov 29, 2020Elliott has always been phenomenal. He always showcases melodies and instrumentals (especially his amazing guitar playing) over his voice and I find that very unique. The music is so creative and unlike anything I've ever heard.
-
Apr 25, 2021Genial album, probably his best even if all of them are really really good, of one of the greatest artist of the last years and perhaps of all time!
-
JakeLNov 24, 2004The only way to describe this album is to use a phrase often spoken of Elliott's work, "heartbreakingly beautiful." You forgive the mediocre job of sequencing (done by Rob Schnapf and Joanna Bolme) as well as well as "Ostriches and Chirping," because this is songcraft at it's best. This ranks right up there with XO.
-
-
DennisDFeb 16, 2005An incredibly moving collection of songs. Smith was an artist who, though apparently unable to cope with his own depression/demons, made music that helped others feel ok in being sad.
-
-
KevinBFeb 1, 2005Great album. Unfortunately, since Elliott was unable to finish the album himself, it's seems a little rough around the edges. All-in-all, a must have album
-
-
mattaMay 27, 2005A fitting swansong for Elliot. Ranks up there with his best work, including XO and Figure 8. Still though, you can't help but wonder as you listen to it how it would have turned out if Elliot was alive to decide the production, track listings, etc.
-
-
MikeMAug 20, 2005A really good album that might not be his best but is up there. It definitely gets better with time
-
-
SamBOct 17, 2004a bit different from his previous work, but fabulous none the less.
-
-
jaycOct 21, 2004Even if he was alive, this would still be his best album. The instrumentation is just amazing.
-
-
AddisonKMay 18, 2006
-
-
dannibNov 17, 2004One mark shy of perfect. Elliott had the gift and the curse. Sorry to see you go, Tell God to speed the next four years up, we've had enough sadness for a while
-
-
Mar 7, 2011It would have been interesting to see what sequence Smith would have chosen for the album, but if anything, the jumbled order and unpolished masterpieces adds to the charm and mystery of the record. Some of the unfinished songs recorded at the time, such as 'See You In Heaven' would have made this album one of the greatest pieces of music in the last 60 years. Very nearly a perfect record.
-
Mar 25, 2011Works on every all levels in my opinion. Composition, vocals, production and weirdness. For all sorts or reasons, I've avoided knowing any more about this artist or his albums beyond what is recorded and in the liner notes. Regardless, Mr. Smith's collection seems forgotten way too soon. Even in the alt. music media. I consider this album a standard of the era and the genre. Dare to compare!
-
Aug 14, 2011
-
Jan 4, 2017
-
joesOct 26, 2005
-
-
AndyAug 16, 2006Not his best group of songs by a long shot, but that still means its better than 99% of anything out there.
-
-
TomPJul 27, 2009So...it's pretty good. Let's just not get too excited.
-
-
ae.Oct 22, 2004in all honesty this album is not as good as his older work. that said, i believe it's principally because he wasn't done making it when he died. the songs in and of themselves are pure-gold classic elliott smith material, just darker, thicker, heavier than ever before. a worthwhile gem from one of the only truly great melodist/lyricists of our age.
-
-
markfOct 29, 2004
-
-
thefunkhunterOct 22, 2004Not one of his best. Album sounded sloppy, even though it was meant to sound sloppy i just don't think it worked. I am one of the biggest elliott's fans, although some of the individual songs rank among his best, his songwriting is inconsistent on this new album. Def overrated
-
-
AK.Dec 1, 2005As an album, this is great. As an Elliott Smith album, not so much. I like the music, but had Elliott not died, we all know it would've been so much better (LESS DISTORTED GUITAR!!!). I don't know why this has a higher rating than Figure 8.
-
-
PaulJan 13, 2005
-
-
PaulHOct 15, 2005this album isn't as good as they all say, it's not bad but it's Elliott's weakest album. but critics always do this to people who have just died, just like George Harrison and Warren Zevon's last albums which also weren't that great. Still though Elliott Smith was amazing and he'll be missed.
-
-
JeromeHOct 18, 2004This album is really not very good. It doesn't compare well with his older work, which wasn't all that great to begin with (in my opinion). I can guarantee you if Smith was still alive, the metacritic rating would drop 12-15 points. Dead musicians are always overrated. Yup, Hendrix, Cobain, Marley, and now Smith. You're rating an album, not giving a eulogy, fellas.
-
-
Aug 6, 2023
Awards & Rankings
-
It's simply wonderful -- bristling with pop masterpieces large and small, and reassuringly unburdened by Smith's deep-seated malaise.
-
While it makes a lot of musical leaps (it's probably the most "experimental" work he's done), not all of them work, but there are still some great moments for fans of his work here.
-
From a Basement on the Hill is a far better album than it has any right to be, with its bizarre sequencing and improbable ambitions.