FIGURE 8 (ALBUM)

'''Figure 8''' is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death. It was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Sonora Studios in Los Angeles, Capitol Studios in Hollywood, and Abbey Road Studios in London ("Stupidity Tries", "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)" and "Pretty Mary K"). The album was also released on double vinyl 12" on Bong Load Custom Records, though it is no longer in print in this format. It is also available as a digital download.
The title is taken from a song by School House Rock; Smith covered this song, but it did not make the final track listing.

Contents

Additional musicians

Track listing

Alternate releases

Outtakes, b-sides, and other non-album tracks

Cover photo

External links

Additional musicians

★ Sam Coomes - bass on "Everything Means Nothing To Me," "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)," "Stupidity Tries," and "Pretty Mary K"

★ Pete Thomas - drums on "Junk Bond Trader," "Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?" and "Can't Make A Sound"

★ Joey Waronker - drums on "Stupidity Tries"

★ Jon Brion - backup vocals on "Happiness/The Gondola Man"

Track listing

(All songs written by Elliott Smith)
# "Son of Sam" – 3:04
# "Somebody That I Used to Know" – 2:09
# "Junk Bond Trader" – 3:49
# "Everything Reminds Me of Her" – 2:37
# "Everything Means Nothing to Me" – 2:24
# "L.A." – 3:14
# "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost" – 4:32
# "Stupidity Tries" – 4:23
# "Easy Way Out" – 2:44
# "Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?" – 3:25
# "Color Bars" – 2:19
# "Happiness/The Gondola Man" – 5:04
# "Pretty Mary K" – 2:36
# "I Better Be Quiet Now" – 3:35
# "Can't Make a Sound" – 4:18
# "Bye" – 1:53

Alternate releases

The Japanese release of this album included Smith's cover of The Beatles' song "Because" and the title track, "Figure 8".
The promotional CD for ''Figure 8'' featured cover artwork by Mike Mills, director of ''Thumbsucker''. Smith later worked on the movie's soundtrack.

Outtakes, b-sides, and other non-album tracks

Officially released:

★ "A Living Will" (included on the "Son of Sam" single)

★ "Figure 8" (School House Rock cover, included on the "Son of Sam" single)

★ "I Can't Answer You Anymore" (included on the French ''3 Titres Inedits'' promo)
Posthumously released:
Unofficially released:

★ "Brand New Game"

★ "No Life"

★ "Sorry My Mistake" (instrumental only, thought to have had vocals recorded)

★ "Stained Glass Eyes"

★ "Tiny Time Machine" (instrumental, worked on later as "Suicide Machine" for Smith's next album, From a Basement on the Hill)
Unreleased:

★ "Dancing on the Highway" (Possible early version worked on during the Figure 8 sessions, unknown at this point)

Cover photo

The wall Smith stands in front of in Autumn de Wilde's photograph on the cover of the album exists in Los Angeles, and since his death it has become a memorial to him. It is covered with graffiti and written messages containing lyrics and personal messages to Smith. It is located at 4334 W. Sunset Boulevard, which is a store by the name of Audio-Video Solutions, just south of the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue.

External links

★ Sweet Adeline: The Official Elliott Smith website

★ The Official Elliott Smith online store

★ Figure 8 on Amazon.com

★ Trash Treasury - Download hub and webforum; largest collection of live recordings on the web.