Since then, Elliott have toured every inch of North America, building a substantial and loyal fanbase, playing on every type of bill imaginable. Metal/hardcore to alt/emo bands, Elliott have played with all of them and to much commendation. In fact, the band welcomes and often times prefers the opportunity to play with bands as dissimilar to them as possible. From the success of their debut 7" and the massive buzz that the band had created, the attention of Revelation Records was caught. Elliott's Rev debut was recorded in two halves. One at Easley Studios in Memphis and the other at Rondor Studios in L.A. The two sessions were mastered together and melded into U.S. Songs which now has Elliott as a shoe-in to inherit the title of "best new band." The album is a masterpiece, displaying Higdon's memorable, emotional vocals and the band's talented songwriting capabilities. Higdon's voice and the dynamics of Elliott's music embody the band's sound on U.S. Songs: melancholy and bliss simultaneously.
False Cathedrals
With the release of their second full length False Cathedrals, Elliott has earned their place within the genealogy of Louisville bands that have broken with tradition and disregarded conventional formulas (Slint, Squirrel Bait, etc.). Indeed, the reverberations of such non-KY bands as Fugazi, Quicksand and Radiohead can be felt in their music. If stylistic similarities to such contemporaries as Jimmy Eat World or No Knife can be made, it can also be stated that Elliott has successfully constructed a sound that can only be described as their own. Though that sound is most definitely planted in the guitar-oriented standards of post-punk, it is through the elegantly understated use of electronics and piano, the fluid bass lines interweaving its way between staccato-tribal drum work and vocalist Chris Higdon's impassioned performances that Elliott creates their latest, a masterpiece of subtlety.
The LP's opener of "Voices/Calm Americans" is about as close to perfect as a band can get; its staggered bass-piano structured beneath a steady crescendo brewing behind the deceptively simple guitar lines. As powerful as any hardcore band out there, it is the more subdued pieces that showcase the incredible songwriting skills and technical abilities that make Elliott so special. "Blessed By Your Own Ghost" showcases the strongest use of electronic gadgetry on the album creating as evocative a sound as anything Brian Eno has ever done. The eerily commanding "Dying Midwestern" is floor-room model of restraint and quiet beauty, culminating in a guitar blowout of meaty proportions. On the other side of the coin, "Drive On To Me" rocks from start to finish with its anthemic chorus, pensive lyrics (shades of such authors as J.G. Ballard perhaps?) and beautifully layered vocal harmonies. With production credited to Tobias Miller (False Cathedrals is the first album he's produced, though work with such varied artists as Fiona Apple, The Wallflowers and Korn must have come in handy), False Cathedrals is a landmark recording in the field of post-punk bands. Clean, but not polished, innovative, yet, unassuming in its glory, the overall sound is as solid as it is diverse.
With the release of False Cathedrals, Elliott has opted to stride right on past the brink and into the open fields of greatness. Now its just time for the world to catch up. Expect heavy touring and consistently inspiring live performances to take care of that end.
Song in the Air
After touring Europe and the US in 2000 and 2001, a slightly dirty but enriched Elliott came home, rebooted, and in July of 2001 - began recording and investigating the new songs they had been making together. Song in the Air, Elliott's third full length, is the first record they have made with the addition of Benny Clark on guitar and Jason Skaggs on bass. The idea was to make a quick and easy EP but the ideas kept coming and songs kept growing. At times the prospect of insanity didn't seem too far off... But, finally, in November of 2002 the project was finished. Song In The Air had been created.
Tracks from Song in the Air are some of Elliott's best yet. These songs are infused with an immediate - urgent, feeling.... and that gives us, the listeners, a view of something that hasn't been cleaned up and fabricated.
In the process of recording it (which, in itself, is a fairly big story about running their own home studio and deciding to handle all of the recording duties of the record themselves) they enlisted some great musicians and others from the Louisville area to help out, including a string quartet assembled by Christian Frederickson of The Rachel's.
Photorecording
Photorecording, Elliott's finale, comes at first with a feeling of loss - the depth and meaning that so many associated with this band is immeasurable. But you'll find it's more of a fond farewell than just a band breaking up. The legacy left behind by one of Louisville's most beloved is one that will endure, and this release closes the door with a close look into the final days (and hours) of the band in 2003.
Photorecording is a live studio album recorded directly after their last performance, and also included is the never before seen DVD documentary of Elliott's last tour. The CD+DVD set compiles the aforementioned live studio recording and documentary as well as bonus footage of live shows during the last two years of Elliott's existence. Anyone who is familiar with the band will tell you that the live show is a big part of what made Elliott amazing. The shows not only complemented their prolific recordings, but also enriched the experience for even the most casual fans of Elliott - to miss their live show would be considered a crime. Photorecording is a monument to this great band that still has fans looking forward to each member's future projects.
Kevin Ratterman is currently in a new band called Wax Fang. He also runs an independent studio in Louisville, KY called the Funeral Home Studios.
Benny Clark did a tour with a band called Unwed Sailor.
Chris Higdon is currently working in Louisville, KY on his small photography business, Kriech-Higdon Photography, which focuses primarily on bands and weddings. He is also in a new band named Frontier(s).
http://www.myspace.com/frontiersband
Billy Bisig is now playing in a band called Wolverine Brass in Louisville, KY.
Land and Water
Elliott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the song "Land and Water" by Elliott Smith, the opening lyrics "Listen around the world. Compress beats that build" seem to suggest a sense of urgency and the need to pay attention to what is happening globally. The next lines "Talk, town, drowns, in the master plan" could be interpreted as commentary on the power dynamics between the individual and the larger systems of society, where individuals may feel powerless in the face of a larger "master plan." The line "Reset my world, keepsake forgotten" could signify a desire to start over or to escape from the current reality, perhaps by discarding or forgetting sentimental possessions.
The following lines "Reflex of a man, cut off his arms, just to drop all his heartstrings" are particularly vivid, and could perhaps be interpreted as a commentary on the sacrifices that some individuals make in pursuit of their goals or in service of others, to the point where they may literally sever parts of themselves. The next lines "Move over waves through the air, land of lonely hills forgotten" bring to mind notions of vast, uncharted territories and a yearning for exploration and discovery. The imagery of "blooms that break through winds at rest" could be seen as a symbol of resilience and hopefulness even in difficult circumstances.
The repeated refrain "Across the air and over waves. You are the world. Talk the town beats you drown. Sold your broken wings for land and water" seems to be suggesting that the individual has the power to transcend the limitations of their current circumstances, but that doing so may involve sacrifice and risk-taking. The images of "air" and "water" could represent freedom and possibility, but also the potential for danger and uncertainty. Overall, the song seems to be grappling with themes of human agency, resilience, and the yearning for a sense of purpose in a rapidly-changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen around the world.
Pay close attention to everything happening around the world.
Compress beats that build.
Simplify complex situations to their essential components.
Talk, town, drowns, in the master plan.
People in the small town are trapped in a predefined way of life.
Reset my world, keepsake forgotten.
Erase everything from the past to start anew.
Reflex of a man, cut off his arms, just to drop all his heartstrings.
The man is so detached from his emotions that he would rather lose his arms than hold onto his feelings.
Move over waves through the air, land of lonely hills forgotten.
Travel across the ocean and through the air to a place where sadness and isolation are overlooked.
Blooms that break through winds at rest, place where no-one knows their own home.
In this uncertain place, flowers still grow and thrive, but people don't feel like they belong anywhere.
Across the air and over waves. You are the world.
Despite being isolated and far from home, you are an integral part of the world.
Talk the town beats you drown.
If you don't fit in with the town's way of life, you will be overwhelmed and mentally suffocated.
Sold your broken wings for land and water.
Traded in your shattered dreams and failed aspirations for safety and stability.
You are the world repeating.
You are a crucial part of a cyclical world that continuously repeats itself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind