In a rare show of preparation I wrote this one earlier in the week. However, it would be a great disservice to the blog to not give MF DOOM the props he deserves, perhaps next week. Personally I enjoyed this (really long) piece about his life and times a lot. RIP
Getting back into writing these. Today’s collection stems from a lyric, quoting a lyric, from a band fronted by Elliot Smith. Enjoy.
Jimmy Eat World “Kill”
The line that sets the path for this blog is “Just like your favorite Heatmiser song goes / ‘it’s just like being alone’” Heatmiser, as you know, or will learn was the indie rock band headed by Elliot Smith.
I’d written about this album for the defunct college zine / tshirt siphoning scheme Writer’s Grind. I appreciate that friend / editor C Smith (aka C. Turmoil, Constant T., Chris) didn’t want to include album reviews and ratings. Instead we were just highlighting music we were listening to and liking. Much less judge-y for sure.
Heatmiser “Half Right”
As mentioned, here’s the song referenced above. It has heavy Carrollton to Austin (riverside) drive vibes in that there are guitars, layered vocals, and vaguely emo lyrics. I’m glad to be reflecting on and not necessarily struggling through those times.
In an appropriate turn of events, Jimmy Eat World put out a cover of this song on their Stay On My Side Tonight ep. Tbh it lacks that crucial element of a good cover, not sounding just like the original…
When I talk to you on the phone,
Heatmiser
Its just like being alone
Elliot Smith “Needle in the Hay”
I picture that mirror scene in Royal Tenanbaums where Luke Wilson expresses his suicidal intentions. Given how Elliot passed, the song seems particularly appropriate.
There is also a pretty rad cover of the song by Bad Astronaut. They are a band fronted by Joey Cape (Lagwagon), no stranger to the tragedy of suicide as his friend and EP collaborator Tony Sly (No Use for a Name) took his own life as well.
It’s rough out there these days, be there for those around you, actively.
