New Moon
by Elliott Smith
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 64
  3. Negative: 3 out of 64

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  1. CarlS
    Jun 8, 2007
    10
    this is an essential cd, not just because it fills in his catalog with songs that might not have fit on his early albums but were certainly up to par in terms of quality, but it is essential because music that is as deep, personal and immediate as this isn't being made today. Even though these songs are over 10 years old, it is amazing to hear them in 2007 because they fill a void in this is an essential cd, not just because it fills in his catalog with songs that might not have fit on his early albums but were certainly up to par in terms of quality, but it is essential because music that is as deep, personal and immediate as this isn't being made today. Even though these songs are over 10 years old, it is amazing to hear them in 2007 because they fill a void in the current musical landscape. Jorge is terribly wrong, as this isn't a product of the record company to make money. This is a gift to the many fans and music lovers out there who can appreciate talent, honesty and authenticity in music.… Expand
  2. Mr.Hankey
    May 8, 2007
    10
    There is no way how to describe how beautiful this b-sides and rarities album is. I have been a fan of Elliott since "Roman Candles" and I'm a bit startled to find such a sincere and sentimental album in these two discs. You need to grab this if you are a fan of Mr. Smith.
  3. ShaunL
    May 9, 2007
    10
    Like having Either/Or parts II and III... amazing.
  4. davidd
    May 8, 2007
    10
    most of the songs from Basement on the Hill II, but mixed a little better. Nice to have these songs well produced
  5. TroelsFB
    May 8, 2007
    10
    With the exception of a couple of tracks this is all pretty classic stuff. It doesn't match later-day Elliott Smith in my opinion, but there were several goose bump inducing moments on this record.
  6. LewbyM.
    Jul 20, 2007
    10
    This Album is truly brilliant
  7. KimP
    May 14, 2007
    10
    A zero? Really dude? And you don't understand that maybe they recorded tracks that were never formally released before? Yeesh. TEN
  8. JasonM
    May 27, 2007
    10
    This is amazing.
  9. Jeremiah
    May 9, 2007
    10
    Classic Elliott Smith.
  10. EdenL
    Aug 30, 2007
    10
    everything of elliotts is amazing, and new moon is no exception. i prefer a lot of these songs to other ones on proper albums.
  11. LindsayJ.
    Feb 27, 2008
    10
    I've been unable to take this album out of my CD player. Beautiful, amazing, rich, powerful...I could go on & on & on.
  12. ChiristinaG
    May 13, 2007
    10
    Thank god.
  13. DavidP
    May 25, 2007
    10
    Absolutely essential to anyone who's considered themselves a fan, and a perfect gateway into Smith's career for those who have, by some miracle, avoided his beautiful and damaged stories thus far.
  14. FefifofumE.
    Jul 31, 2007
    10
    The bottom line is that this album is more than any Elliott Smith fan could have hoped for, both in terms of quality and quantity
  15. Mrs.Hankey
    May 9, 2007
    9
    This isn't an album, but a collection of songs. It's great to listen on random. Anyways, there are a ton of excellent songs on here that any aspiring musician would love to have as their own, but Elliott had so many other great songs, that he decided to scrap these. That's how genius he was.
  16. MycroftW.
    Jul 23, 2007
    9
    Genius, what a shame he's gone
  17. lennie
    May 21, 2007
    9
    To answer the question 'who is making money off this album', a large proportion is going to the charity Outside In, which helps the homeless.
  18. AlB
    May 27, 2007
    9
    This record typifies the simple beauty and fragility of Elliott's music, perhaps more than any other release.
  19. davidb
    May 9, 2007
    9
    It's nice to see these songs get an official release. Taken as a whole, the album doesn't quite stack up to Elliott Smith, Either/Or or XO, but it is about as coherent as a compilation can be. There are still several great unreleased Elliott Smith tracks out there (Stickman, Abused, Dancing on the Highway). I'm hoping for one more release.
  20. AndrewA
    May 9, 2007
    8
    A great song collection, well produced and mixed. The bad side of all this is that it lacks the sense of "album" that used to have Elliott Smith's work. Anyway, it's a definitely essential for those Elliott Smith's fans.
  21. mikes.
    May 8, 2007
    8
    A solid release from elliott smith taken from when he was in his prime. This B-side collection is not without some weak tracks and probably could of been cut down to one disc. But it's not meant to be a greatest hits collection, as it is; it will satisfy elliott smith's hardcore fans and curious newbies. The stripped down production emphasizes elliott's fragile persona, and A solid release from elliott smith taken from when he was in his prime. This B-side collection is not without some weak tracks and probably could of been cut down to one disc. But it's not meant to be a greatest hits collection, as it is; it will satisfy elliott smith's hardcore fans and curious newbies. The stripped down production emphasizes elliott's fragile persona, and strong songwriting which has always been his strengths. Fantastic release!… Expand
  22. SeanD.
    Jul 29, 2007
    8
    not as great as xo or figure 8 but in my opinion on par with either/or and the self titled
  23. JamesM.
    Apr 29, 2008
    8
    Elliott Smith is my favorite artist ever. However, this is not a 10 effort as so many fans have mindlessly posted...the record is astounding considering that it consists mostly of b-sides, but on its own merits it's great rather than excellent.
  24. AndrewG
    Jul 14, 2007
    8
    Elliott Smith is my favorite artist, and I hope they put out all the B-sides they can (C-sides even). But, New Moon is definitely the worst of Elliott Smith's solo work. That is not to say that it is bad, it's just that I find myself wanting to skip certain songs. Also, Disc 2 is way better than Disc 1. The best part of the album though, is trying to figure out what era each Elliott Smith is my favorite artist, and I hope they put out all the B-sides they can (C-sides even). But, New Moon is definitely the worst of Elliott Smith's solo work. That is not to say that it is bad, it's just that I find myself wanting to skip certain songs. Also, Disc 2 is way better than Disc 1. The best part of the album though, is trying to figure out what era each song came from (Roman Candle, Either/Or, XO, Good Will Hunting, etc.). That aspect of things makes it even better. A must for Elliott Smith fans, but for those that are new to him, you should check out one of his others.… Collapse
  25. Fred
    Jun 12, 2007
    7
    As good as a bunch of unfinished songs can get. Some other demos that have been circulating on the net are better than a few on this CD ("Abused" is the first to come to mind). Still, a must have.
  26. MattA.
    Aug 7, 2007
    6
    Honestly decent but you can't but feel like everyone is praising it because the guy is dead. XO and even Figure 8 were much better than From a Basement and this collection. I would say it is his album that I listen to least.
  27. RajuK.
    Jan 17, 2008
    2
    If he didn't sing, the CD would have been much better. He can play the guitar, and write some lyrics, but thats where his talent stops. I don't feel like listening to someone who cant sing in a genre of music where I think you need to showcase your vocals when it is almost acapella in nature. He is out of tune every other line. Sorry, not for me.
  28. michaelf
    May 11, 2007
    0
    Who is making the money off this album? I really still don't understand the whole dead people releasing new albums phenomenon...
  29. JorgeR
    May 23, 2007
    0
    Elliot se merece un 10 en toda su carrera pero este cd es simplemente elproducto de las ambiciones de dinero de kalgunos productores carroñeros

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best Album of 2007
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Under The Radar
    80
    As hope, there are revealing looks at Smith's developments as a writer. [#17, p.87]
  2. Blender
    80
    New Moon sounds less like a pile of outtakes than an official album released in a parallel universe.
    Read full review
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Smith's trademark combination of breathy - almost whispered - vocals, deceptively resilient acoustic melodies, and sombrely introspective lyrics, is shown off to sufficiently good advantage here to make New Moon a worthy companion piece to 1995's Elliott Smith and 1997's Either/Or.
    Read full review
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