I think XO is probably his best non post-humus release, closely followed by Figure 8.

some of my favorite songs are on XO like baby britain,pitseleh,sweet adeline, and waltz #2.

I always found Figure 8 way better than XO

I just didn't think XO contained any big stand out tracks or anything
And I never liked it as much as any of his other ones

Although I think his self-titled was one of his best,
and most people don't agree with that

Really? Pitseleh, Waltz #1 and #2, Independence Day, I Didn't Understand, Baby Britain, Bottle Up and Explode!, Oh Well Okay, A Question Mark...

^And they're all good songs, but none of thoose for me were really the standout, amazingly good tracks that all of his other albums had
And I never understood why people always said that thoose were their favorites
I guess that's just me and my weird taste
but I always prefered his other albums

I greatly agree with that!:thumb:

Figure 8 seemed over produced to me. I mean, who really was in control (smith or the producer) when Junk Bond Trader was recorded? XO was atmospheric, like his previous efforts. I can feel his sincerity in XO, and not through the production of Figure 8.

Elliott was pretty obviously in control he was huge into Big Star, the Beatles, Oasis, Elton John and other stuff around that time. He always wanted to make a big pop album, Figure 8 was the result of that.

crowquill maybe u should review figure 8

i gave Figure 8 another listen. big songs, big & fully developed ideas.

i'm realizing i'm more attached to XO because that's when i first discovered Elliott Smith. during Christmas time after it came out. waltz #2 below my freaking mind. i've spread the word about his music and created a dozen new fans. it's that kind of thing. it's so hard for me to distinguish my feelings from what my objective mind thinks when it comes to the arts. oh well. it's my heart that brings me back to awesome forums like this.

anyway, r.i.p. Elliott Smith. i saw the man play in SLC before his death. he looked like a wreck, but still had the hope to crack a few jokes.