From a Basement on the Hill
Encyclopedia
From a Basement on the Hill is the sixth and final studio album
by the late singer-songwriter
Elliott Smith
. Released posthumously on October 19, 2004 by ANTI- Records
in CD
, double LP
, and digital download
, it peaked at #19 in the US and #41 in the UK.
The album was incomplete at the time of Smith's death. Smith's family hired his former producer Rob Schnapf
and ex-girlfriend Joanna Bolme
to sort through and put the finishing touches on the batch of over 30 songs that were recorded for the album. Although Smith had stated many times that he wanted Basement to be a double CD album, contractual obligations with the singer's former label DreamWorks
(now Interscope) prevented them from releasing a double album on an independent label. Thus, a 15 track album was assembled and released. Many of the songs Smith intended for the album remained unfinished, in some cases only lacking vocals. Metacritic gave the album an 88(universal acclaim). This score reflects one of the 50 best-reviewed albums in the website's data-base.
, producer of Smith's earlier albums Either/Or
, XO
and Figure 8
, was hired to mix and produce the album, along with Smith's former girlfriend Joanna Bolme
. David McConnell
, although present throughout much of the actual recording process, save Smith's last year of working on the record, was not consulted during the mixing, nor was he asked for the extensive "three years' worth" of notes he and Smith had made while the album was being recorded. The producer also noted that the track "Ostriches & Chirping," a short instrumental made from sampling and looping the noises made by a toy bird, had nothing to do with Smith and was something that McConnell had recorded by himself. McConnell said: "...don't ask me how this ended up on the record, I totally forgot I had put that on one of his reels."
When asked what he believed the late Smith would think of the released version of the album, McConnell told Benjamin Nugent, "I don't think he would have delivered[that] record. The record he would have delivered would have had more songs, would have had different mixes and [been] a little more in-your-face." Schnapf also expressed that the final result that he and Bolme had produced was not the album that Smith would have made, simply because Elliott was not around to finish the album. Schnapf also said that they did not add anything to the songs, and only mixed whatever had been recorded: "I would never presume to add anything. We didn't add anything."
It reflects the phrase being shouted at shows in which Smith performed the song.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by the late singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
. Released posthumously on October 19, 2004 by ANTI- Records
ANTI-
ANTI- is an American record label founded in 1999 as a sister label of Epitaph Records.While Epitaph's focus has shifted over the last decade from mostly punk rock, nowadays ANTI- has a more diverse roster, ranging from country , hip hop , reggae , Soul , folk , rap-rock , indie rock...
in CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, double LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, and digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
, it peaked at #19 in the US and #41 in the UK.
The album was incomplete at the time of Smith's death. Smith's family hired his former producer Rob Schnapf
Rob Schnapf
Rob Schnapf is an American record producer and musician. He was the co-producer of Elliott Smith's albums Either/Or, XO , Figure 8 and From a Basement on the Hill, for which he was recruited by Smith's family to complete after Smith's death.Schnapf, along with Rothrock and partner...
and ex-girlfriend Joanna Bolme
Joanna Bolme
Joanna Bolme is a multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer who works with several indie rock bands and artists, mainly in the Pacific Northwest...
to sort through and put the finishing touches on the batch of over 30 songs that were recorded for the album. Although Smith had stated many times that he wanted Basement to be a double CD album, contractual obligations with the singer's former label DreamWorks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...
(now Interscope) prevented them from releasing a double album on an independent label. Thus, a 15 track album was assembled and released. Many of the songs Smith intended for the album remained unfinished, in some cases only lacking vocals. Metacritic gave the album an 88(universal acclaim). This score reflects one of the 50 best-reviewed albums in the website's data-base.
Production
Following Smith's death, Rob SchnapfRob Schnapf
Rob Schnapf is an American record producer and musician. He was the co-producer of Elliott Smith's albums Either/Or, XO , Figure 8 and From a Basement on the Hill, for which he was recruited by Smith's family to complete after Smith's death.Schnapf, along with Rothrock and partner...
, producer of Smith's earlier albums Either/Or
Either/Or (album)
Either/Or is the name of the third album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The album was released on Kill Rock Stars on February 25, 1997 on compact disc and vinyl LP....
, XO
XO (album)
XO is the name of the fourth album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Smith's first work on a major label, it was released by DreamWorks Records on August 25, 1998. Bong Load Custom Records released it on vinyl LP, which has since gone out of print. Vinyl copies of XO remained...
and Figure 8
Figure 8 (album)
Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
, was hired to mix and produce the album, along with Smith's former girlfriend Joanna Bolme
Joanna Bolme
Joanna Bolme is a multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer who works with several indie rock bands and artists, mainly in the Pacific Northwest...
. David McConnell
David McConnell
David McConnell is a southern Californian musician, most notable for his involvement as collaborator, producer and engineer for Elliott Smith's final album, From a Basement on the Hill as well as his involvement with the Summer Hymns and Folk Implosion/ Lou Barlow. He also plays solo under his own...
, although present throughout much of the actual recording process, save Smith's last year of working on the record, was not consulted during the mixing, nor was he asked for the extensive "three years' worth" of notes he and Smith had made while the album was being recorded. The producer also noted that the track "Ostriches & Chirping," a short instrumental made from sampling and looping the noises made by a toy bird, had nothing to do with Smith and was something that McConnell had recorded by himself. McConnell said: "...don't ask me how this ended up on the record, I totally forgot I had put that on one of his reels."
When asked what he believed the late Smith would think of the released version of the album, McConnell told Benjamin Nugent, "I don't think he would have delivered
Track listing
All songs written by Elliott Smith except as noted.- "Coast to Coast" – 5:33
- "Let's Get Lost" – 2:27
- "Pretty (Ugly Before)" – 4:45
- "Don't Go Down" – 4:34
- "Strung Out Again" – 3:12
- "A Fond Farewell" – 3:58
- "King's Crossing" – 4:57
- "Ostrich & Chirping" (David McConnellDavid McConnellDavid McConnell is a southern Californian musician, most notable for his involvement as collaborator, producer and engineer for Elliott Smith's final album, From a Basement on the Hill as well as his involvement with the Summer Hymns and Folk Implosion/ Lou Barlow. He also plays solo under his own...
) – 0:33 - "Twilight" – 4:29
- "A Passing Feeling" – 3:32
- "The Last Hour" – 3:27
- "Shooting Star" – 6:01
- "Memory Lane" – 2:30
- "Little One" – 3:14
- "A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free" – 4:32
Track information
- "Coast to Coast" features poetry by Nelson Gary. Smith told Under the RadarUnder the Radar (magazine)Under the Radar is an American magazine that bills itself as "The solution to music pollution" and features interviews with accompanying photo-shoots. Each issue includes opinion and commentary of the Indie music scene as well as reviews on books, DVDs and albums.Items are reviewed based on a...
in 2003, "I asked this friend of mine to make up something he could say as fast as he could in fifteen minutes about people healing themselves or being unable to heal themselves. While he's saying this thing there is a main vocal that goes over that." - "Pretty (Ugly Before)" previously appeared on a 2003 singleSingle (music)In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on Suicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
, along with a different version of "A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free". According to McConnell, Smith did not intend to have "Pretty (Ugly Before)" on the album.
It reflects the phrase being shouted at shows in which Smith performed the song.
- "Twilight" was originally entitled "Somebody's Baby".
- If the song "Little One" is played backwards, one can hear some acoustic guitar lines as they were originally recorded, unreversed.
- Wayne CoyneWayne CoyneWayne Michael Coyne is the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter for the band The Flaming Lips.-Early life:...
(of The Flaming LipsThe Flaming LipsThe Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
) and Elliott came up with the title for the song "A Distorted Reality is Now a Necessity to Be Free". - The composition of the track "Ostriches & Chirping" has been disputed. According to David McConnell, who worked with Smith in some of the earlier stages of the Basement album, this track was created by McConnell himself. A reel containing the track was found by Smith's family, assumed to be a Smith composition, and was placed on the album.
Personnel
- Sam CoomesSam CoomesSamuel J. Coomes is an American musician, and currently one-third of the Portland-area indie band Quasi, along with drummer and ex-wife Janet Weiss and bassist Joanna Bolme...
(of QuasiQuasiQuasi is an American indie rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by ex-husband and wife Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss . Since 2007 the group has been a trio, following the addition of bassist Joanna Bolme.-History:In 1990 , Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat...
, formerly in HeatmiserHeatmiserThe Music of Heatmiser is a six-song demo cassette, recorded on April 29 and 30, 1992, at Sound Impressions in Milwaukie, Oregon. It was made available only at shows or by mail order....
) - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and backup vocals on "Pretty (Ugly Before)" - Steven DrozdSteven DrozdSteven Gregory Drozd is an American musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist and lead guitarist for The Flaming Lips.-Early life:...
(of The Flaming LipsThe Flaming LipsThe Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
) - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
on "Coast to Coast" - Aaron EmbryAaron EmbryAaron Embry is an American songwriter and record producer. He is the firstborn son of screenwriter / talent manager Karen Embry and dental technician H. Charles Randall. He is the eldest brother of actor Ethan Embry and photographer Kessia Embry...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on "Pretty (Ugly Before)" - Scott McPhersonScott McPhersonScott McPherson was an American playwright.-Life:He graduated from Ohio University.In 1981, he moved to Chicago, where he acted in The Normal Heart, and The House of Blue Leaves...
- drums on "Pretty (Ugly Before)" - Fritz Michaud - drums on "King's Crossing"
- Aaron SperskeAaron SperskeAaron Sperske is an American drummer, who has played in several bands, including Beachwood Sparks, Lilys, The Miracle Workers, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, and The Pernice Brothers. He also played drums on the Elliott Smith song "Coast to Coast" which was featured on the From a Basement on the...
- drums on "Coast to Coast" - Nelson Gary - poetry on "Coast to Coast"
Outtakes, B-sides, non-album tracks
The following songs were known to have been written and in various stages of recording (with some fully completed) during the Basement era, but were ultimately not included on the 2004 album:Officially released
- "A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free" (alternate version, found on the "Pretty (Ugly Before)" single.)
Unofficially released
- "The Assassin or (Kill) Fuck" - leaked online several years ago. It was thought that "The Assassin" was a totally different song until it was recently confirmed that the leaked instrumental was indeed this song.
- "Dancing on the Highway" – three mixes have surfaced among fans, one backed by Figure 8Figure 8 (album)Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
track "The Roost", and another without the "Roost" loop. The final mix is assumed to be Rob Schnapf's mix of the song. - "Don't Go Down" (alternate version)
- "Everything's OK" – a reworking of the Either/OrEither/Or (album)Either/Or is the name of the third album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The album was released on Kill Rock Stars on February 25, 1997 on compact disc and vinyl LP....
outtake "Pretty Mary KNew Moon (Elliott Smith album)New Moon is a 2-CD/2-LP posthumous compilation album by Elliott Smith, released on May 8, 2007 by Kill Rock Stars.It contains 24 previously unreleased songs recorded between 1994 and 1997, when Smith recorded his albums Elliott Smith and Either/Or, both also released by Kill Rock Stars. It peaked...
" (not to be confused with the song of the same name on Figure 8Figure 8 (album)Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
). - "From a Poison Well" - a reworking of the Either/OrEither/Or (album)Either/Or is the name of the third album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The album was released on Kill Rock Stars on February 25, 1997 on compact disc and vinyl LP....
outtake "First TimerNew Moon (Elliott Smith album)New Moon is a 2-CD/2-LP posthumous compilation album by Elliott Smith, released on May 8, 2007 by Kill Rock Stars.It contains 24 previously unreleased songs recorded between 1994 and 1997, when Smith recorded his albums Elliott Smith and Either/Or, both also released by Kill Rock Stars. It peaked...
" - "Let's Turn the Record Over" - also known by the title "Bonnie Brae"; recorded at Jackpot! on 8/3/2000 by Larry Crane.
- "Melodic Noise" - instrumental "noise track". The track uses a reversed melody from the XOXO (album)XO is the name of the fourth album recorded by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Smith's first work on a major label, it was released by DreamWorks Records on August 25, 1998. Bong Load Custom Records released it on vinyl LP, which has since gone out of print. Vinyl copies of XO remained...
outtake "Taking A Fall". - "Mr. Good Morning" – two versions have leaked online, one with a vocal track and one with no vocals but an alternate mix.
- "O So Slow" - instrumental "noise track"; two mixes have surfaced.
- "See You in Heaven" – instrumental only, said to have never had vocals completed.
- "Splitzville" - featured in SouthlanderSouthlanderSouthlander is an American independent film by Steve Hanft and Ross Harris.Originally titled Recycler after the Los Angeles magazine of the same name, the filmwriters changed the name of the movie—and a central plot device—to Southlander to avoid trademark issues.- Plot :Down-and-out...
, played over the end credits. According to Larry Crane, the song "was written in the early 90's, at least that early." Also: "The song was around as far back as 1993 though. The 2 parts of the song as heard in 'Southlander' are 2 different takes, and the 'outro' was mixed for possible FABOTH use. This I do know." - "Stickman" – two alternate versions, one with reversed drums
- "Suicide Machine" – vocals recorded over the Figure 8Figure 8 (album)Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
outtake "Tiny Time Machine"; said to be the last song Smith worked on. - "True Love" – three different versions: one rough mix, one featuring more coherent vocal takes, and an instrumental version.
Unreleased
- "Brand New Game" - Originally recorded for Figure 8Figure 8 (album)Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
. Further work was done during this era on the Figure 8 era recording of the song. - "Shooting Star" (extended mix)
- "Mama's Boy" - From a Basement on the Hill sessions version of "Either/Or".
- "I Don't Give a Fuck" - From a Basement on the Hill sessions version of an early '90s 4-track demo Smith recorded originally entitled "Where I Get It From".
Noise songs
In later interviews, Smith spoke of experimenting with noise tracks. "Melodic Noise", "O So Slow", "The Assassin", and "Yay!" have leaked online.- "Melodic Noise"
- "O So Slow"
- "The Assassin or (Kill) Fuck"
- "Yay!"
- "Pink Noise/White Noise"
Other From a Basement On the Hill-era tracks
- "Blue Mood" - Played live one time. According to Larry Crane, the song originates from 1989, and was recorded by Harum Scarum as "This Bed" (co-written with Garrick Duckler). Unknown if later studio version exists.
- "Confusion" - played live during the Figure 8 tour.
- "My New Freedom" (aka "Doing Okay, Pretty Good") - Played live once in 1997 and again in 2001 and 2002. Unknown if studio version exists, speculated to have possibly been reworked into "See You in Heaven".
- "You Make It Seem Like Nothing" – Played live once in 1996 and again in 2003. Unknown if studio version exists.