
Issue No 72		06 October 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Review

Elliott Smiths Figure 8

By Peter Zangari

Smith is basically the secret love child of the fab four and it's so blatantly obvious. That's not a bad thing because one thing Lennon and McCartney were reknown for was there ability to pen catchy tunes.

When I first heard the Elliott Smith sound there were hints of other artists thrown in there that I was unable to work out. Looking at the fine print of the CD sleeve I notice Elliott Smith writes all the songs and he also arranges all strings. But the album was recorded at abbey road and that's where the Beatles comparisons begin.

Whilst Elliott Smith is virtually unknown here in Australia, listeners should give his music a go. It is digestible and accessible to the ear without being categorized easy listening, so it should be filed under pop rock. The recent success of Travis's "Why does it always rain on me" shows that there's still an interest in folk/pop rock music and Smith is right up that alley.

The album opener "Son of Sam" is a true 60's pop track repackaged for today's listener. Other standout tracks include: "Junk Bond Trader", "Wouldn't Mama be Proud" and "Happiness The Gondola Man." Throughout the album catchy vocal melodies are the norm, as is the use of acoustic guitars and the good ol' piano.

"Everything reminds me of her" is a great ballad, which leads into its melancholic sequel "Everything means nothing to me". It's at this point of the album where Smith shows his strength as a songwriter. The lyrics verge on the personal but never too far as to get carried away as some pop artists tend to do.

Overall, Figure 8 is a great album that clocks in at 52 minutes. With over 16 tracks, each song averages just over 3 minutes of pure pop bliss. Its refreshing to hear music that is written, arranged and produced by the one person.

Other CD's worth checking out:

Ben Folds Five- The unauthorized biography of Reinhold Mesnner

The Beatles- The Beatles (white album)

Neil Finn- Try Whistling This

Richard Ashcroft- Alone with everybody

Travis- The man who

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Issue 72 contents

Interview: Taking It To The Union Busters
ACTU Assistant Secretary Richard Marles talks to Workers Online about turning back the anti-union sentiment growing in the business community, responsible unionism and the sense of fun to be found at the ACTU.

International: The White Knights
The International Labour Organisation has become the great hope for those fighting to give globalisation a human face. Australian Bob Kyloh is one of those working with trade unions within the ILO to make it happen.

Politics: Industrial Democracy for Australia
Glenn Patmore argues we need new forms of employee representation in the workplace to broaden employee participation.

Unions: Behind The Scenes
In a small office at Homebush Bay, as the world focused on all that was positive about our games, Unions 2000 and SOCOG officials worked tirelessly to ensure that no worker was ripped off. Chris Christoudoulou reports.

Satire: Parade of Icons ï¿½Could Have Included Even More Ex-Aussiesï¿½ Say Critics
The selection of Greg Norman, Paul Hogan and Elle Macpherson to represent Australia in the ï¿½Parade of Iconsï¿½ during the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney Games last night has prompted a storm of complaints from other famous former Australians.

Review: Elliott Smiths Figure 8
Smith is basically the secret love child of the fab four and itï¿½s so blatantly obvious. Thatï¿½s not a bad thing because one thing Lennon and McCartney were reknown for was there ability to pen catchy tunes.

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