Real heads (real indie folk heads, that is) will tell you that this is the best album in Elliott Smith's woefully small discography. Virtually every song here is great, with Smith really at the peak of his emotional folky styles. (Either/Or is great, but it just doesn't have the same impact as these stark, lo-fi recordings.) Most of these tracks are nothing more than Elliott and his guitar, though some tracks employ some terribly recorded (but strangely fitting) drums. "Needle In The Hay(1)" is a perfect opener, an intense requiem for a junkie that sets the tone for the rest of the album's demons, like the lonesome drunks in "Clementine(2)" and "St. Ides Heaven(3)" or, uhhh, some more junkies in "The White Lady Loves You More(4)." The guitar on "Southern Belle(5)" kills, too. 12 tracks; 38 minutes. Recommended.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red