Elliott Smith: Waltz #2 (XO)
John Talabot’s new single, Elliott Smith remembered and Jeff Carvalho’s Europop #PrivateJam in this week’s music recap
10 years ago this past week, the world lost Elliott Smith: Songwriter, musician and vocalist whose masterful catalogue of brooding alternative folk inspired legions of fans and acts that followed. A centerpiece to his emotional potency, “Waltz #2 (XO)” might very well be Smith’s best track ever. Moreover, it’s a secret autobiography. Chronicling the tumult of relationships with his family and lovers. Slightly masked behind allusion and a player-piano aura, the song shatters spirits with its beauty. It also happens to be quite ominous.
