Celebrating a quarter century of feels since the release of Elliott Smith's sophomore album. The progress Elliott Smith makes from album to album is astounding. Although, I like the simplicity and rawness of Roman Candle, the added instrumentation and production here (still self-produced) adds extra dimensions to Smith's melancholy. Micro-anthem after micro-anthem, this album plays like a vibrant book, easy to read and super powerful. Super deluxe edition on black vinyl includes a second LP containing Smith's earliest known live solo performance (1994), all housed in 52 page cloth-bound hardcover coffee table book including full album lyrics, rare photos, handwritten notes and memories from Smith as well as his friends and colleagues. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
  
• 25th anniversary deluxe edition
• includes full 1994 live performance on 2nd LP
• housed in cloth-bound coffee table book cover w/ built-in LP pockets + printed inner sleeves
• features previously unseen photos, handwritten lyrics, notes + memories from Smith + others
• music label: Kill Rock Stars 2020

reviewed by the mgmnt 06/2014