Certainly this is one of the best albums ever produced. There is something unmatchable about Smith's music. In the lyrics. In the guitar. The piano. The drums. In the sound of his voice. His music has the potential to devastate and stir up your emotions. But, it also has a peculiar quality of comfort, peace, and uplifting hope. It brings you face to face with your feelings. The hurting and the healing can find equal interest here. I admit that Smith's tragic story and the subjects of his material can be triggering. It can often feel 'too dark' or like a distant memory of things you might like to forget. But, there is power in this; the last album he released before his tragic death.

These tracks are Elliott Smith's usual fare. Ahead of their time. Perfectly Imperfect. Multilayered. Intense and yet often soft spoken. I've chosen the Deluxe Edition for some of the additional tracks that I think are great additions, but the standard version also holds up very well. "Son of Sam" opens the album (as well as appearing as an additional acoustic track on this version) with everything that I would expect from an Elliot Smith song. Jangly guitar, tasteful drums, and layered pianos with Smith's unmistakeable voice. "Junk Bond Trader" has a complicated piano piece and a guitar tone that defies my explaining as to its quality or feeling. The sounding of ominous bells is countered with the upbeat rhythm. "L.A." brings that rock sound that one might crave and remember from Smith's Heatmiser days. "Stupidity Tries" is an upbeat ode to the foolishness of life and the way that we will ourselves 'stupidly' to carry on in the face of it. The tracklist keeps upbeat and rocky right up to, appropriately, "Better Be Quiet Now." Whick marks a section of more melancholy and dark songs that culminates in "Bye". A singularly chilling piece without vocals that stands out on an album full of rocky and angsty songs. Its piano comes as if from across a great distance. On the standard version this marks an appropriate end to the album. On the deluxe edition we carry on with "Figure 8" which is intriguingly missing as a title track originally. We also get the excellent "Living Will" I also really enjoy Smith's take on The Beatles' "Because" which seems remarkably well suited to the layered recordings and harmony that often comprises Smith's music.

It is hard to explain how good or valuable Elliott Smith's work is. Indeed, I can't even argue that this is his best album. They all feel deeply important in some way. I've ommitted discussions about a lot of this work and the person who made it. In some ways I think discovering his work and story is part of the experience. Every person will have a different encounter with this genuine art and artist. I certainly have a mixed relationship with these songs. I hope that you engage with Elliott Smith. I simply cannot do his work justice in a short album feature, nor am I sure a whole essay would suffice. So please enjoy and explore.