brad caffeine | westport, ma United States | 11/21/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This single came out a month or two before Elliot's latest album, "Figure 8". it was put out pretty low-key, but it's contents should are worth the listen. Track 1 is "Happiness" which is an amazing jump from most of his previous soft work, with some truly incredible and introspective lyrics. though the opening lines of the song seem to focus on other characters that Elliot is commenting on, the final lines of the song are repeated from a 1st person perspective of "All I used to be, will pass away and then you'll see, that all I want now is happiness for you and me". quite the emotional gesture. The second track on here is the gem "Son of Sam", but what the single does not point out is that this is the acoustic version of the song, not found on the full album. This is the track that really makes the single worth owning. Elliot even encorporates a harmonica solo into the folky story. this single is definately worth the few bucks it costs!"
Happiness? A bit of irony from elliott.
Janak Melvani | Nashville, TN | 02/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really enjoyed "happiness" off of Elliott newest, Figure 8. Both "son of sam" and "happiness" are relatively upbeat...and very catchy. I could see "happiness" as a track off of xo. The drumming in "son of sam" sounds a little like "independence day" from xo. Overall, this single is excellent."
Good introduction to "Figure 8"
Aaron C. Burkhalter | Seattle, WA United States | 03/01/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I very much enjoyed this newly released single, and due to it have high hopes for the upcoming "Figure 8." The production on "Happiness" is much like that of "XO" which at first disappointed me. However I find this to be a far better production job than that of "XO". The ending of the song makes up for everything, where the full band is playing, and as if someone slapped the record to a full stop, all the keyboards, electric guitar, and backing vocals come to a stop, leaving nothing but the bass, light drums, and Elliott Smith singing and strumming. An excellent ending to this song. The second track, "Son of Sam" gives hints of Smith's earlier recordings with the two guitars and harmonica. Excellent track, and worth the price on this single, because it will likely be a full band version on "Figure 8"."
A preview of a fantastic album
Janak Melvani | 03/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been lucky enough to get a copy of a copy of the new Elliott Smith album, "Figure 8"(I know someone who knows someone who has a connection). Believe me when I say it's going to be known as one of the great pop records of the past several years. The production is lush, like "XO", but the songs sound much better suited to the production this time around -- and they're better, too.Only "Waltz #1", "Baby Britain," "Oh Well Okay" and "Bottle Up and Explode" compare to the new stuff. "Happiness" and "Son of Sam" are just two of the many standout tracks on the album. "Happiness" has a great melody, a nice, reverb drenched vocal, and a kind of "Hey Jude"-like fadeout that is nicely, abruptly cut off, leaving just Elliott, his guitar, and a drum. I've heard and enjoyed the acoustic version of "Son of Sam," but it has nothing on the full band version of the album, which is the first track and is absolutely stunning. Elliott fans, you can blanch at this prospect, but "Son of Sam" is an air guitar type of rock and roll song, and in the best way possible. Get the single, get your Elliott fix, and prepare for the late April release of the incredible "Figure 8.""
Love elliott a lot, but...
02/29/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have all things elliott, and i must say that this disappointed me a little bit. I love the songs a lot, they are very upbeat, catchy songs. But I LOVE Elliott's voice and it seems a bit muffled on the songs, or just not very sharp..i think it is great, but maybe a bit over-produced."