Description
Elliott Smith – XO – Vinyl Record
By the time Elliott Smith released XO on August 25, 1998, he had already gained a cult following for his stark, deeply personal folk songs. But this album—his first for a major label, DreamWorks—marked a dramatic expansion of his sound. Where his earlier work was often just his whispery voice and acoustic guitar, XO introduced lush orchestration, layered harmonies, and fuller arrangements, elevating his songwriting to a new level while maintaining the raw emotional intensity that made him special.
From the opening notes of Sweet Adeline, it’s clear Smith is playing with contrasts. The song begins as a fragile acoustic ballad before exploding into a sweeping, Beatles-esque chorus, complete with multi-tracked harmonies and soaring melodies. This balance—between quiet intimacy and grand, symphonic ambition—defines XO. Tracks like Waltz #2 (XO), one of his most beloved songs, blend deeply confessional lyrics about family, addiction, and self-destruction with a waltzing, piano-driven arrangement that feels almost theatrical.
Lyrically, XO is Elliott Smith at his best—sharp, poetic, devastatingly honest. Whether he’s singing about failed relationships (Pitseleh), the alienation of fame (Independence Day), or self-destruction masked as celebration (Baby Britain), his words hit with a mix of sadness, wit, and resignation. Even when the melodies feel bright and catchy, there’s always a sense of melancholy lurking beneath.
XO wears its influences proudly. Smith was a lifelong Beatles fan, and that shows in the intricate vocal layering, baroque pop elements, and melodic craftsmanship throughout the album. Songs like Tomorrow Tomorrow and Bottle Up and Explode! feature intricate fingerpicking and dynamic shifts, reminiscent of his lo-fi beginnings but expanded into something richer. Meanwhile, I Didn’t Understand closes the album with haunting, Beach Boys-style a cappella harmonies, a moment of pure vulnerability that lingers long after the last note fades.
Despite fears that signing with a major label would dilute his artistry, XO proved that Smith could embrace bigger production without losing an ounce of emotional impact. It was a critical success, bringing him greater recognition while still maintaining the deeply personal, unfiltered songwriting that defined his work.
Looking back, XO stands as one of Elliott Smith’s greatest achievements—a record that captures both his increasing ambition as an artist and his deeply human struggles. It’s beautiful, haunting, and timeless, the kind of album that feels like a close friend—comforting, even as it breaks your heart.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Sweet Adeline
Tomorrow Tomorrow
Waltz #2 (XO)
Baby Britain
Pitseleh
Independence Day
Bled White
Waltz #1
Amity
Oh Well, Okay
Bottle Up And Explode!
Drums – Joey Waronker
A Question Mark
Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands
I Didn’t Understand
