Figure 8 (album)

Figure 8 was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Sonora Studios in Los Angeles, Capitol Studios in Hollywood and Abbey Road Studios in London.{{cite AV media notes |title=Figure 8 |others=Elliott Smith |year=2000 |publisher=DreamWorks |location=United States |url=http://www.discogs.com/Elliott-Smith-Figure-8/release/406733 |access-date=June 21, 2013}} Initially titled Place Pigalle, after the square in Paris, the title is thought to be taken from a song by Schoolhouse Rock!;{{cite web |url=http://www.sweetadeline.net/figure8lp.html |title=Sweet Adeline | Figure 8 |website=Sweet Adeline |access-date=February 18, 2013}} Smith covered this song, but it did not make the final track listing. Regarding the album's title, Smith said in a May 11, 2000, article in Boston Herald:

I liked the idea of a self-contained, endless pursuit of perfection. But I have a problem with perfection. I don't think perfection is very artful. But there's something I liked about the image of a skater going in this endless twisted circle that doesn't have any real endpoint. So the object is not to stop or arrive anywhere; it's just to make this thing as beautiful as they can.{{cite news |last=Rodman |first=Sarah |date=May 11, 2000 |title=Elliott Smith's 'Figure 8' Embodies His Endless Quest for Perfection. |newspaper=Boston Herald |url=http://business.highbeam.com/3972/article-1G1-62029622/elliott-smith-figure-8-embodies-his-endless-quest-perfection |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309061004/https://business.highbeam.com/3972/article-1G1-62029622/elliott-smith-figure-8-embodies-his-endless-quest-perfection |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2013}} {{subscription required}}

Smith described the songs on the album as "more fragmented and dreamlike".{{cite web |url=http://www.lunakafe.com/moon44/usor44.php |title=Luna Kafe E-Zine – Elliott Smith: The Hamburger Interview |last=Wohlfield |first=Carsten |website=Luna Kafé |access-date=February 18, 2013}} The lyrics contain references to serial killer David Berkowitz, the Hindu deity Shiva, actor Bruno Schleinstein, the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, and the comic book character Sgt. Rock. In interviews Smith asserted that his reference to Berkowitz was intended to be dreamlike or impressionistic.{{cite web |url=http://adamwalton.co.uk/mmt_arc/int-elliott.htm |title=Elliott Smith Interview Conducted by Adam Walton |website=adamwalton.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125224809/http://adamwalton.co.uk/mmt_arc/int-elliott.htm |archive-date=January 25, 2009 |url-status=usurped |access-date=June 29, 2013}} A fan of filmmaker Werner Herzog and Schleinstein, Smith said in an interview with Revolver "How come we have no Bruno S. [in America]? How come he can be a film star in Europe, but over here everybody has to look like they were computer generated?"{{cite news |last=Himmelsbach |first=Erik|date=Spring 2000 |work=Revolver |title=Interview with Elliott Smith from Revolver issue 1 |url=http://www.sweetadeline.net/rev00.html}} Smith would again reference Hindu deities at two shows in 2003 when he appeared on stage with the words "Kali - The Destroyer" written on his arm.{{cite web |url=http://www.sweetadeline.net/jan03.html |title=January 2003 |website=Sweet Adeline |access-date=June 25, 2013}}

Image:2004-04-04 - 05 - Elliott Smith memorial, Sunset Blvd.jpg

The mural wall in Los Angeles that Smith stands in front of in Autumn de Wilde's cover photograph for the album was a local landmark to de Wilde, who grew up in the Sunset Boulevard neighborhood.{{cite book |last1=de Wilde |first1=Autumn |title=Elliott Smith |date=2007 |publisher=Chronicle Books |location=San Francisco |isbn=978-0-8118-5799-4 |page=149}} Since Smith's death, it has become a de-facto memorial to him. It is located at 4334 Sunset Boulevard, just east of the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue. It has previously been covered with fan-written messages containing lyrics and personal messages to Smith, and once displayed a stenciled image of Smith to mimic his position on the album cover.{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/43523-elliott-smith-mural-updated-for-smiths-birthday/ |title=Elliott Smith Mural Updated for Smith's Birthday | News | Pitchfork |last=Fitzmaurice |date=August 12, 2011 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=February 18, 2013}} It is regularly graffiti-ed over, followed by regular restorations undertaken by fans.{{cite web |url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/elliott-smith-memorial-wall-vandalized-again |title=Elliott Smith Memorial Vandalized... Again | Music News | Etc | Tiny Mix Tapes |last=Vanderslice |first=Heidi |date=February 29, 2008 |website=Tiny Mix Tapes |access-date=June 21, 2013}} In 2017, a section of the wall was removed to facilitate the opening of a business inside the building. Despite this, the portion of the mural shown on the album cover is still largely intact.{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Leonie|date=February 1, 2017|title=Elliott Smith's 'Figure 8' mural has been partially destroyed – but it's just a wall, right?|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/elliott-smiths-figure-8-mural-partially-destroyed-just-wall-right-1964806|access-date=June 25, 2021|website=NME}}

The album's first single, "Happiness", was released on February 8, 2000. CMJ New Music Report wrote, "While the tune's production recalls the shimmer of XO, it possesses curiously upbeat energy atypical for Smith".{{cite journal |last=Jacks |first=Kelso |date=February 28, 2000 |title=Reviews |journal=CMJ New Music Report |page=26 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Xq8eycf55YC&q=%22elliott+smith%22+%22happiness%22+2000&pg=PA26 |access-date=June 24, 2013}} This was followed by the album's second and final single, "Son of Sam", on April 11. A music video was released for "Son of Sam", directed by Autumn de Wilde.{{cite journal |date=April 3, 2000 |title=Elliott Smith |journal=CMJ New Music Report |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vusrJlufwwwC&q=%22elliott+smith%22+%22son+of+sam%22+2000&pg=PA11 |access-date=June 24, 2013}}

Figure 8 was released on April 18, 2000.{{cite journal |date=April 17, 2000 |title=Elliott Smith •• Figure 8 In Stores April 18th At College Radio Now! |journal=CMJ New Music Report |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o7ym12bMTq4C&q=%22figure%208%22%20%22elliott%20smith%22%20april%2018&pg=PA2 |access-date=June 24, 2013}} It debuted at number 99 on the Billboard 200, selling 19,000 copies,{{Cite magazine |date=2006-08-29 |title=Rod Returns To No. 1 With 'Stardust' |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000691851 |access-date=2022-02-13 |magazine= Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829183959/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000691851 |archive-date=29 August 2006 |url-status=dead}} and stayed on the chart for 5 weeks.{{Cite magazine|title=Elliott Smith|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/elliott-smith/|access-date=2022-02-13|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}} It was Smith's highest-charting album in the US during his lifetime.

The Japanese release of this album included Smith's cover of The Beatles' song "Because" from the film American Beauty and "Figure 8", an abridged cover of a Schoolhouse Rock! song.{{cite AV media notes |title=Figure 8 |others=Elliott Smith |year=2000 |publisher=DreamWorks |location=Japan |url=http://www.discogs.com/Elliott-Smith-Figure-8/release/3064885 |access-date=June 21, 2013}}

The promotional CD for Figure 8 featured cover artwork by Mike Mills, director of Thumbsucker.{{cite AV media notes |title=Figure 8 |others=Elliott Smith |year=2000 |publisher=DreamWorks Records |location=United States |url=http://www.discogs.com/Elliott-Smith-Figure-8/release/2368123 |access-date=June 21, 2013}} Smith contributed songs to the Thumbsucker soundtrack.

As of 2004, it has sold 185,000 copies in United States.

The track "L.A." was included on the soundtrack for the 2009 game Guitar Hero 5.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 81/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/figure-8/elliott-smith |title=Reviews for Figure 8 by Elliott Smith |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=February 18, 2013}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/figure-8-mw0000604250 |title=Figure 8 – Elliott Smith |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=February 18, 2013 |last=Huey |first=Steve}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2score = B−{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/review/music/0,1683,1243,figure8.html |title=Figure 8 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 17, 2000 |access-date=December 12, 2014 |last=Browne |first=David |author-link=David Browne (journalist) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000510005807/http://www.ew.com/ew/review/music/0,1683,1243,figure8.html |archive-date=May 10, 2000 |url-status=dead}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,,178308,00.html |title=Elliott Smith: Figure 8 (DreamWorks) |newspaper=The Guardian |date=April 14, 2000 |access-date=April 9, 2016}}

| rev4 = Los Angeles Times

| rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-16-ca-20037-story.html |title=He Skates Deftly on Thin Ice |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 16, 2000 |access-date=April 9, 2016 |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Hilburn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723195518/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/16/entertainment/ca-20037 |archive-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live}}

| rev5 = Melody Maker

| rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |title=Elliott Smith: Figure 8 |journal=Melody Maker |date=April 18, 2000 |page=48}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = 8/10{{cite journal |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/elliott-smith/2127 |title=Elliott Smith – Figure 8 |journal=NME |date=April 14, 2000 |access-date=February 18, 2013 |last=Dempster |first=Sarah |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000601091410/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/20000414062231.html |archive-date=June 1, 2000 |url-status=dead}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7score = 6.9/10{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7267-figure-8/ |title=Elliott Smith: Figure 8 |website=Pitchfork |date=March 31, 2000 |access-date=February 18, 2013 |last=Schreiber |first=Ryan}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |url=http://www.qonline.co.uk:80/reviews/server.asp?id=18786 |title=Elliott Smith: Figure 8 |journal=Q |issue=164 |date=May 2000 |access-date=August 30, 2018 |last=O'Brien |first=Lucy |page=114 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001204020400/http://www.qonline.co.uk/reviews/server.asp?id=18786 |archive-date=December 4, 2000 |url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/figure-8-20000427 |title=Figure 8 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 27, 2000 |access-date=February 18, 2013 |last=Pareles |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Pareles}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10score = 7/10{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lupf_ZdXF98C&pg=PT15 |title=Dream Weaver |journal=Spin |volume=16 |issue=5 |date=May 2000 |access-date=April 9, 2016 |last=Clover |first=Joshua |pages=153–54}}

}}

Figure 8 was met with "universal acclaim" from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Figure 8 has an average score of 81 based on 19 reviews. NME called it "Smith's best effort to date". Spin wrote, "The record is not a disappointment, it's a progression." The A.V. Club wrote, "Figure 8 is even better [than previous records], a strong collection of lush, densely arranged power-pop [...] and inimitably intimate ballads".{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/elliott-smith-figure-8-1798194202 |title=Elliott Smith: Figure 8 |website=The A.V. Club |date=March 29, 2002 |access-date=June 21, 2013 |last=Thompson |first=Stephen}} Pitchfork described the album musically as "muscular chamber-pop".{{cite web|last=LeMay|first=Matt|date=May 9, 2007|title=Elliott Smith: New Moon|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10208-new-moon/|access-date=November 6, 2021|website=Pitchfork}} Tiny Mix Tapes stated the album "dabbled in Spiritualized-style neo-psychedelia".{{cite web|last=Ranta|first=Alan|title=Music Review: Elliott Smith - From A Basement On The Hill|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/elliott-smith-basement-hill|access-date=June 27, 2022|website=Tiny Mix Tapes}}

AllMusic was more critical, writing, "Even if it is a very impressive statement overall, Figure 8 isn't quite the masterpiece it wants to be". Pitchfork, too, opined, "Figure 8, ultimately, isn't as good a record as XO or Either/Or, though the man's not out of the picture yet." Trouser Press called it "a record that feels very different from its predecessors", describing its style as "brisk and busy, up front and confident, upbeat. While nothing here fails the consistent artistry of his work, neither does any of it make the direct connection to a soul and heart."{{cite web |url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=heatmiser |title=Heatmiser |website=Trouser Press |access-date=June 21, 2013 |last1=Azerrad |first1=Michael |last2=Robbins |first2=Ira}}

In 2009, Pitchfork placed Figure 8 at number 190 on its list of the 200 greatest albums of the 2000s, noting, "Not quite as intimate as his earliest records and not quite brash and bombastic like its immediate predecessor, Figure 8 marks a subtle refinement of Smith's songwriting skills" and calling it "one of Smith's most accessible and enjoyable records".{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7706-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-200-151/2/ |title=Staff Lists: The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 200–151 | Features | |date=September 28, 2009 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=February 18, 2013}} Rolling Stone placed it at number 42 on their list of the 100 greatest albums of the decade, calling it Smith's "haunted high-water mark".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-2000s-20110718/elliott-smith-figure-8-20110710 |title=100 Best Albums of the 2000s: Elliott Smith, 'Figure 8' | Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 18, 2013}} Figure 8 was ranked 86th on The Guardian's 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century list, based on a 2019 poll of music writers.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century |title=The 100 best albums of the 21st century |website=The Guardian |date=September 13, 2019 |access-date=September 18, 2019 }} The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.{{cite book|last1=Robert Dimery|last2=Michael Lydon|title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition|date=March 23, 2010|publisher=Universe|isbn=978-0-7893-2074-2}} Treble ranked the album at 56th in their "Top 100 Indie Rock albums of the '00s".{{cite web|date=July 12, 2017|title=Top 100 Indie Rock albums of the '00s|url=https://www.treblezine.com/35784-100-best-indie-rock-albums-of-the-00s/5/|access-date=June 25, 2021|website=Treble}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Figure 8 track listing

| all_writing = Elliott Smith, except where noted

| title1 = Son of Sam

| length1 = 3:04

| title2 = Somebody That I Used to Know

| length2 = 2:09

| title3 = Junk Bond Trader

| length3 = 3:49

| title4 = Everything Reminds Me of Her

| length4 = 2:37

| title5 = Everything Means Nothing to Me

| length5 = 2:24

| title6 = L.A.

| length6 = 3:14

| title7 = In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)"/"The Roost

| length7 = 4:32

| title8 = Stupidity Tries

| length8 = 4:23

| title9 = Easy Way Out

| length9 = 2:44

| title10 = Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?

| length10 = 3:25

| title11 = Color Bars

| length11 = 2:19

| title12 = Happiness"/"The Gondola Man

| length12 = 5:04

| title13 = Pretty Mary K

| length13 = 2:36

| title14 = I Better Be Quiet Now

| length14 = 3:35

| title15 = Can't Make a Sound

| length15 = 4:18

| title16 = Bye

| length16 = 1:53

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks{{cite web|date=August 7, 2019|title=Listen to rare Elliott Smith classics as deluxe album reissues mark his 50th birthday|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/elliott-smith-classic-albums-xo-figure-eight-deluxe-birthday-reissue-2535917|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=NME}}

| title17 = Figure 8

| length17 = 1:31

| writer17 = Bob Dorough

| title18 = A Living Will

| length18 = 2:31

| title19 = Son of Sam

| note19 = acoustic version

| length19 = 3:05

| title20 = I Can't Answer You Anymore

| length20 = 2:43

| title21 = Pretty Mary K

| note21 = alternate version

| length21 = 2:54

| title22 = Happiness

| note22 = acoustic version

| length22 = 3:30

| title23 = Because

| writer23 = Lennon–McCartney

| length23 = 2:20

}}

{{div col}}

• Elliott Smith – vocals (1–15), electric guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 8–10, 12, 13–15), acoustic guitar (2, 4, 9–15), piano (1, 3, 5, 7, 11–13, 15, 16), bass guitar (1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15), drums (1, 5, 6, 12, 13), Hammond organ (1, 7, 10, 12, 13), pump organ (7), Chamberlin (5, 8–10, 15), harpsichord (3), orchestra bells (3), shakers (11), marching bass drum (12), guitar loops (7, 12), "rolling bass drums" (15), string arrangement (3, 7, 8, 11, 15), production

Additional personnel

• Sam Coomes – bass guitar ("Everything Means Nothing to Me", "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)", "Stupidity Tries", "Pretty Mary K")
• Pete Thomas – drums ("Junk Bond Trader", "Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?", "Can't Make a Sound")
• Joey Waronker – drums ("Stupidity Tries")
• Jon Brion – backing vocals ("Happiness"/"The Gondola Man")
• Suzie Katayama – string conduction and orchestration ("Junk Bond Trader", "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)", "Color Bars", "Can't Make a Sound")
• Matt Dunkley – string conduction and orchestration ("Stupidity Tries")

Technical

• Rob Schnapf – production
• Tom Rothrock – production
• Don C. Tyler – mastering
• Paul Hicks – engineering assistance (Abbey Road Studios)
• Charlie Paakkari – engineering assistance (Capitol Studios)
• Dann Thompson – engineering assistance Capitol Studios)
• Jimmy Hoyson – engineering assistance (Capitol Studios)
• Steve Genewick – engineering assistance (Capitol Studios)
• Anthony Arvizu – engineering assistance (Capitol Studios)
• Richard Baron – engineering assistance (Sonora Studios)
• Geoff Walcha – engineering assistance (Sunset Sound Recorders)
• Monique Mizrahi – engineering assistance (Sunset Sound Recorders)
• Autumn DeWilde – sleeve art direction, design and photography
• Dale Smith – sleeve art direction and design

{{div col end}}

{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Figure 8}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Elliott Smith|title=Figure 8|award=Silver|certyear=2016|relyear=2000|id=14050-4016-2}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}

• {{cite book |last=Nugent |first=Benjamin |year=2004 |title=Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=0-306-81447-1|title-link=Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing }}

{{reflist}}

• {{Discogs master|6163|Figure 8}}

{{Elliott Smith}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2000 albums

Category:Elliott Smith albums

Category:Albums produced by Tom Rothrock

Category:Albums produced by Rob Schnapf

Category:DreamWorks Records albums

Category:Neo-psychedelia albums