1
of
1
Elliott Smith's XO
Series: 33 1/3
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 473 ratings, 61 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2199
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
Elliott Smith's XO
$2199
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This book is ideal for music enthusiasts, especially fans of Elliott Smith, and readers interested in thoughtful cultural and artistic critique within the realm of singer-songwriter music.
Focuses on the genius of Elliott Smith's 1998 debut that remains his defining album, "XO". This book provides a take on this widely beloved album, steering clear of the sensationalist suicide angles that have dogged most analysis of Smith's extraordinary work.
Smith's 1998 major label debut defies the "tortured singer-songwriter" stereotype, and takes up this defiance as a central theme. At a time when Smith was being groomed for a particular (and particularly condescending) brand of stardom, he produced a record that eviscerated one of the central assumptions of singer-songwriterdom: that pain is beautiful. This book is an original take on a widely beloved album and steers clear of the sensationalist suicide angles that have dogged most analysis of Elliott Smith's extraordinary work.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Many albums could be cited to support the claim that great suffering yields great art. Elliott Smith's XO should not be one of them. Smith's 1998 major label debut defies the "tortured singer-songwriter" stereotype and takes up this defiance as a central theme. At a time when Smith was being groomed for a particular (and particularly condescending) brand of stardom, he produced a record that eviscerated one of the central assumptions of singer-songwriterdom: that pain is beautiful.
XO insists that romanticising personal tragedy can only leave you "deaf and dumb and done." And it backs up this claim with some of the most artful and intelligent music of its day. Matthew LeMay writes an original take on a widely beloved album, steering clear of the sensationalist suicide angles that have dogged most analyses of Elliott Smith's extraordinary work.
Series: 33 1/3
View all-
-
Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
-
Black Sabbath's Master of Reality
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
-
Garth Brooks in… The Life of Chris Gaines
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
-
-
Sinead O’Connor's Universal Mother
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Various Artists' Red Hot + Blue
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Yo La Tengo's And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out
Paperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Critics praise the book for its thoughtful analysis, emphasising Smith's musical perfectionism rather than just gloom, as noted by Jake Kennedy in Record Collector. Webcuts Music lauds the 33 1/3 series for its deep and engaging exploration of iconic albums, written by passionate music fans for music fans.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780826429001
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 June 2009
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 121.0mm
Height: 165.0mm
Weight: 130g
Pages: 144
Collections
About the Author
Matthew LeMay has been a staff writer at Pitchfork Media since 2000. His band, Get Him Eat Him, will release their second album in the summer of 2007. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
More from Arts & Culture
View all-
Dylan's Pick -
-
20% offGreat Writers and the Cats who Owned Them
Hardback$3200Usually:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
They Bloom Because of You
Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe World of the Odyssey & Other Greek Myths
Jigsaw$3500Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
-
-
-
Deliver Me from Nowhere (Movie Tie-In)
Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release -
New Release -
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
