From A Basement On The Hill
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From A Basement On The Hill Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 129 Ratings

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  • Summary: The late singer-songwriter was nearly done with this highly anticipated album at the time of his death in 2003.

Top Track

Twilight
Haven't laughed this hard in a long time Better stop now before I start crying. Go off to sleep in the sunshine Don't want to see the day when it's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Splendid
    100
    It's simply wonderful -- bristling with pop masterpieces large and small, and reassuringly unburdened by Smith's deep-seated malaise.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    100
    Freed from the more formal sound and circumstances of his previous work, Smith indulged without being indulgent, and the revelation here is the exuberant, instinctive, playful and daring sonic pilot who was hidden inside the meticulous craftsman of such albums as "XO" and "Figure 8." [10 Oct 2004]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Spin
    91
    Smith's intentions cry out from the album's every discordant corner--he clearly wanted to test himself, to unhinge parts of his sound. [Nov 2004, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Billboard
    80
    Smith bundles subtlety and ferocity to create one of his heart-aching best.
  5. Launch.com
    80
    One of his best.
  6. Uncut
    80
    From A Basement... returns us to the more unfiltered, denuded sound of his earlier [albums]. [Nov 2004, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Neumu.net
    65
    This final record is neither focused nor infallible, instead a rarer glimpse at a man whose creative doorways, once the source of so much hope and inspiration, had become outnumbered by his demons.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 66
  3. Negative: 0 out of 66
  1. MichaelC
    Oct 18, 2004
    10
    RIP Elliott. Best album of the year...
  2. pkindieboy
    Aug 17, 2013
    10
    Maybe this isn't the fairest review, because I'm a huuge Elliott Smith fan. I do feel like this album has a rawness that is invigorating,Maybe this isn't the fairest review, because I'm a huuge Elliott Smith fan. I do feel like this album has a rawness that is invigorating, particularly on the rock tracks. Some of his finest picking resides here as well. King's Crossing is one for the ages, and the sequencing totally works. This is amazing stuff. If you're not a fan, I don't really get that, and if you are then you don't need my encouragement. All the same, pick this up.… Expand
  4. JayH
    Dec 7, 2004
    10
    'Basement' is not an approachable collection of songs, and not easy to find a way into. However, it?s one of the most affecting 'Basement' is not an approachable collection of songs, and not easy to find a way into. However, it?s one of the most affecting musical achievements I've heard in many years. I'm hardly a big softy but I cried to hear Smith's beautiful goodbye to a world he no longer felt part of. If only he could have come to terms with living instead. It's not an album to shake the world but it will garner for itself some sort of classic status and no doubt a gradually increasing following in the years to come.… Expand
  5. MusicLover
    May 7, 2006
    10
    I thought this album was his best, and I didn't even know about his death until 2 years later.
  6. DavidW
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Hard to imagine a better album from start to finish. Truly the greatest songwriter since Dylan and the Beatles.
  7. matta
    May 27, 2005
    9
    A 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 A 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.… Expand
  8. JeromeH
    Oct 18, 2004
    5
    This 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 This 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.… Expand

See all 66 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Album of 2004
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2004
27
#27 Most Shared Album of 2004

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