ELLIOTT SMITH

TRAMPS, 10/3/98

NEW YORK, NY

In the mid-nineties, I started to get the idea that the art of songwriting was dead. It had been awhile since someone had written consistently the way Bob Dylan had back in the 60's and 70's. It wasn't long before I was proven wrong. In 1997, when I first heard Elliott Smith's indie-folk album 'Either/Or' I was blown away. It was clear that he had the potential to save songwriting from near-death. Now, Elliott Smith has a new album out called 'XO,' and it shows Smith growing more and more with his songwriting skills. Amazingly enough, his concert gave me that same excitement that I received upon hearing 'Either/Or' for the first time.

Backed up by the band "Quasi" (which includes Sam Coomes, Smith's band mate from the now-defunct band "Heatmiser," on bass, and "Sleater-Kinney" drummer (Janet Weiss), Smith started out with an unintentional feedback-filled version of 'Independence Day' It was clear from the first song that Smith was uncomfortable up on stage. When the cameras of the press flashed, he looked nauseated. When the crowd cheered, he rolled his eyes. Despite his attitude, the music was still incredible. To my enjoyment, he played most of both 'Either/Or' and 'XO,' including his heartbreaking 'Alameda' and the sick-of-it-all themed "Pictures Of Me.' Yet, at points it seemed that Smith needed the security of the studio in order to play some of his more instrumental music. Songs like 'Sweet Adeline' and 'Bled White' didn't seem to work that well without the countless amount of instruments used on the album versions.

But the part that made this concert memorable was when Smith came out for the encore. All by himself and armed with only his guitar, it was here that Smith finally started to lay back and communicate with his fans. When somebody shouted "Play 'Say Yes'" he immediately plucked the opening chords to arguably one of the best indie-songs to ever be released.

The way I see it, if Elliott Smith can keep songwriting alive, he may be the only artist needed to keep me listening.