From A Basement On The Hill
by Elliott Smith
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Oct 19, 2004
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 129 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 129
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 129
  3. Negative: 7 out of 129

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  1. [Anonymous]
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    it is amazing it is a great legacy to the artist. and his music will live on with us forever.
  2. erin
    Dec 11, 2004
    10
    his 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.
  3. TeganM
    Apr 23, 2005
    10
    mmm.. elliott
  4. MarkW
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    the 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.
  5. carlosa
    Nov 4, 2006
    10
    Nearly flawless record. I've listened to all of elliott's cds and this is easily one of his best if not his best ever ( even though all his albums were nearly flawless). His ability to write ridicously great songs and melodies only improved with age. With "From A Basement On the Hill" I feel like I am listening to the work of an artist at his absolute prime; he doesn't hold Nearly flawless record. I've listened to all of elliott's cds and this is easily one of his best if not his best ever ( even though all his albums were nearly flawless). His ability to write ridicously great songs and melodies only improved with age. With "From A Basement On the Hill" I feel like I am listening to the work of an artist at his absolute prime; he doesn't hold anything back.… Expand
  6. ShaunM.
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    The sequencing is near perfect. No one would have any complaints about it if Elliott hadn't passed away and it became a well-known fact that he did not do the sequencing on it. It's unfortunate that people are too musically immature to realize the genius of this album and how beautiful it is. Just because it's not easy to get into doesn't mean it's been sequenced The sequencing is near perfect. No one would have any complaints about it if Elliott hadn't passed away and it became a well-known fact that he did not do the sequencing on it. It's unfortunate that people are too musically immature to realize the genius of this album and how beautiful it is. Just because it's not easy to get into doesn't mean it's been sequenced wrong or is "sloppy" or lazily done. Let's face it, this album was ALMOST done, granted Elliott hand't put it final touches on it at all and we will never know how it would have turned out. (Probably better, yes). However, the songs are so good, it shouldn't matter what order they're in. This is musically and especially lyrically his best work to date, and it is obvious how he was maturing in leaps and bounds over time. All of his studio albums are masterpieces, and all for very different reasons. I think this should be looked at for it's musical genius and lyrical depth for why it deserves a ten. A near-perfect album from the most genius singer/songwriter of the last fifty-five years.… Expand
  7. 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.
  8. TylerV
    Jan 24, 2007
    10
    This 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.
  9. AlanR
    Nov 19, 2004
    10
    His death is one of the most tragic losses of my generation.
  10. MichaelC
    Oct 18, 2004
    10
    RIP Elliott. Best album of the year...
  11. TroyP
    Oct 19, 2004
    10
    I 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.
  12. AaronS.
    Oct 20, 2004
    10
    Smith'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.
  13. 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 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 '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
  14. gregp
    Jan 29, 2005
    10
    one 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.
  15. IsabelB
    Jan 5, 2005
    10
    This 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.
  16. ashley
    Mar 20, 2005
    10
    incredible
  17. JeffM
    Mar 30, 2005
    10
    The 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.
  18. DanielR
    Mar 3, 2005
    10
    A 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
  19. MikeV
    Sep 23, 2005
    10
    Ideally the track order would've been arranged differently. That really is my only complaint. I think "King's Crossing" should have been more toward the end, and that "Last Hour" would have been a fitting final song. His guitar playing is less prominent on this album, but this album packs a lot of power and emotion into it. I'd say people who aren't Elliott fans Ideally the track order would've been arranged differently. That really is my only complaint. I think "King's Crossing" should have been more toward the end, and that "Last Hour" would have been a fitting final song. His guitar playing is less prominent on this album, but this album packs a lot of power and emotion into it. I'd say people who aren't Elliott fans already should start with Either/Or. Anyone that is an Elliott fan should already have this. I think the review from Tiny Mix Tapes says it all.… Expand
  20. PatrickO
    Nov 19, 2006
    10
    Smith's legacy is as clear as day with this album and is the pinnacle of his works.
  21. GabridlL
    Sep 27, 2006
    10
    A work of genius. Better than The Beatles. Smith had a gift.
  22. AdamS.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    A swansong, hidden and obfuscated by those who understood his vision but dared not commit themselves.
  23. MarcusP
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Magnificent album, from "Coast to Coast" to A distorted reality...It really touches one in the heart
  24. DavidW
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Hard to imagine a better album from start to finish. Truly the greatest songwriter since Dylan and the Beatles.
  25. WesC
    Nov 30, 2008
    10
    It's got an 88/100, countless plaudits and its still sorely underrated. Can't be recommended more to Smith fans: it's absolutely essential.
  26. fionnk
    Apr 27, 2009
    10
    He 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.
  27. DylanT
    Oct 17, 2004
    10
    This album is absolutely incredible. An incredible tragedy that this is Elliott's last album.
  28. tom
    Oct 18, 2004
    10
    this is an amazing album made from an amazing artist.in its simplicity it is beautiful.
  29. DavidL
    Oct 21, 2004
    10
    I don't know how one can listen to songs like "King's Crossing" and not see how undeniably great this album is. Just amazing.
  30. ashley
    Dec 14, 2004
    10
    it feels like he's speaking to me sometimes
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic 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.
    Read full review
  2. Almost Cool
    65
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Stylus Magazine
    90
    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.
    Read full review
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