Reccomend me some Elliott Smith.

Ramen Noodle

I got a 15 dollar iTunes giftcard for free today and I decided I wanted one of his albums. I know I don't want New Moon because I don't want to start with a B-Sides comp. Any suggestions?

Gafoto

I don't personally know, but you should talk to Scarlet St., I know he's a big fan and could recommend you some.

PM him, I'm sure he'll respond.

thorpe

Either/Or is his best, in my opinion, but XO is also very popular.

Kate of Lokys

XO was the first of his that I bought - the only one so far, sad to say, though I think I'm honour-bound to change that soon - and I found it very easy to get into and enjoy.

Also, obligatory shout-out to the Live Music Archive, if you're looking for more of his stuff but don't have the cash yet. Live recordings of a whole ton of his concerts, some *very* good quality. I recommend L'Olympic, 2000-09-28 (for the full-band experience), or Bottom Of The Hill, 1998-05-18 (acoustic).

wasted pixels

If you're going into his body of work looking for the brooding singer-songwriter, start with his second solo album (self-titled). If you're looking for the talented multi-instrumentalist who wrote intricate, impossibly well-arranged pop songs, start with XO. If you're looking for something accessible and easy to get in to, start with Heatmiser's Mic City Sons album -- it'll help warm you up to his vocal stylings.

My girlfriend started with XO and loved it, so that would be my suggestion. It's as good a starting point as any, but in fairness, all of his albums have been excellent. It's not like there's a "sucky finishing-out-a-contract" or "b-side landmine" album to worry about, so start anywhere.

(Also, New Moon isn't really a rarities compilation in the strictest sense, as it's uniformly good material, and the rare stuff people would want -- like Division Day -- is absent. It "feels" more like several EPs released at once than a collection of B-sides, it would make a fine starting point.)

Ramen Noodle

For right now I'm on a streaming site and listening to some songs from XO and Either/Or. I've narrowed it to those two. Thanks guys!

jpeg

Personally, my two favorite albums are XO and Figure 8, but to be honest I find them all good.

XO is a good starter, definitely.

Seattle Thread

Roman Candle.

Mullitt The Wise

I'd say start with Roman Candle or Elliott Smith, and work your way up through the years. You'll appreciate his growth as a musician and songwriter more that way.

Tarzan

Start with XO.

ChopperDave

I'll chime in and recommend XO, quickly followed by Either/Or, as being the most accessible albums. They're also pretty great.

HiredGun

Mmm. Am I the only one who thinks From A Basement On The Hill ranks among his best stuff?

Tarzan

Basement on a Hill is great, but for Starters, XO and Either/Or are the way to go.

ChopperDave

HiredGun wrote: »

Mmm. Am I the only one who thinks From A Basement On The Hill ranks among his best stuff?

No. But with certain artists, like Elliott Smith, there can be a difference between "best stuff" and "most accessible stuff."

Dublo7

Either Or is a really nice album.

I'd start with that. To me it's the most accessible of Smith's albums.