Elliot Smith Vocal sound

[lyman]

One does have to argue however, as great as some people can be pulling it off, it does open up the floodgates for people who actually can't sing but think they can and don't understand the difference.

That is a risk one runs when any music exists at all.
Or American Idol, for that matter.

exatly. "Good" singers inspire just as many talentless singers as do "bad" singers. so i think the real problem isn't bad singers who inspire others, it's the fact that some people as you put it "can't sing but think they can and don't understand the difference." Regardless of who they emulate and listen to.

[;ivlunsdystf]

So either you like Elliot Smith's stuff, or else you don't? Those seem to be the two choices and everything that's been heaped upon this topic by members of either camp is an attempt to explain one's taste/distaste in typewritten english.

[bobbydj]

You say that like it's a good thing.

[;ivlunsdystf]

Well, I guess it's a good thing that people who don't like Elliott Smith don't have to listen to him except when he comes on the radio or something

[bobbydj]

Whoah - you have compulsory listening laws for radio over there??

[;ivlunsdystf]

knobs are busted

[JGriffin]

when is Elliot Smith ever on the radio?

[;ivlunsdystf]

Every thirty minutes on the new NPR pop station in Minnesota, seems like....

[knobtwirler]

One does have to argue however, as great as some people can be pulling it off, it does open up the floodgates for people who actually can't sing but think they can and don't understand the difference.

That is a risk one runs when any music exists at all.
Or American Idol, for that matter.

exatly. "Good" singers inspire just as many talentless singers as do "bad" singers. so i think the real problem isn't bad singers who inspire others, it's the fact that some people as you put it "can't sing but think they can and don't understand the difference." Regardless of who they emulate and listen to.

You missed my point which is more fine tuned to the subject of this thread. Elliot Smith style vocals sound like the type of thing that "anyone can do", so in fact more people with the opportunity to record themselves with an acoustic to a 4-track will actually think they sound just as good as he does. Once again, I say American Idol singing and Indie Rock singing are not the same thing. American Idol was always there. In the 70s it was called The Gong Show. Elliot Smith was there too, only he was called John Denver. The thing that saves them is the songwriting, and your American Idol counterparts are not writing songs, they are imitating them.

[Ben Logan]

Elliot Smith was there too, only he was called John Denver.

You guys who are saying both John Lennon and Elliot are not so accurate with their vocal doubles have me worried. I'm a vocal doubler (sum of two of my off key notes = one relatively in tune note). It's precisely these two dudes I think of when I'm trying to get inspired for a really "synced up" vocal double.

[Eric Rottmayer]

American Idol was always there. In the 70s it was called The Gong Show. Elliot Smith was there too, only he was called John Denver.

you were also here before the beginning of time...you were called Satan.

judge on, vocal "chops" master.

[;ivlunsdystf]

This is getting complicated. Is knobtwirler 'in the doghouse'?

I must concede the point about E. Smith and J. Denver. The comparison really is spot on (and I do enjoy them both from time to time)

Now am I in the doghouse too?

[ulriggribbons]

that footage is great.

Either/Or is one of my favorite records of all time.

It's funny how you end up appreciating music for different reasons. I like a great production of a record as much as the next guy, but for Elliot Smith, the songs and peformances are just so awesome, he could have recorded it onto lecture tape, adn I'd still listen to it =)

I was watching the footage, and my 3 year old asked me "Why is he sad?"


Regards

ju

[knobtwirler]

...the songs and peformances are just so awesome, he could have recorded it onto lecture tape, adn I'd still listen to it =)...
ju

I think you just answered the original poster's question the best.

[knobtwirler]

you were also here before the beginning of time...you were called Satan.

judge on, vocal "chops" master.

The first sentence is probably the highest compliment I could receive. Thank you. The second sentence shows a gross misunderstanding of what I was saying. Don't take things so personally when people analyze your idols.