Elliott Smith: New Moon

IT'S A TESTAMENT to the immense songwriting genius of Elliott Smith that even his decade old cast-offs are worth hearing. It's also a massive relief. During his frustratingly short career – ended in 2003 by his tragic death, presumed suicide – Smith not only established himself as the singer-songwriter's singer-songwriter, he built a proud reputation for never releasing a rubbish song. It would be a tragedy, second only to his death, if he were to start now.