''New Moon'' is a posthumous compilation album by American singer-songwriter

Elliott Smith Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003), known professionally as Elliott Smith, was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of hi ...

, released on May 8, 2007 by Kill Rock Stars. It contains twenty-four previously unreleased songs, most recorded between 1994 and 1997 during the sessions for Smith's albums ''

'' and ''

Either/Or ''Either/Or'' (Danish: ''Enten – Eller'') is the first published work of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Appearing in two volumes in 1843 under the pseudonymous editorship of ''Victor Eremita'' (Latin for "victorious hermit"), it o ...

''. The album was well received by critics and reached number 24 in the US ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' chart, selling about 24,000 copies in its first week.

Background

In August 2006, an "excited" employee at

Kill Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and Tinuviel Sampson, and based in both Olympia, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, but was originally known ...

made a post on the label's official website stating that an extended version of ''Either/Or'' would be released in 2006 to commemorate the record's tenth anniversary. This information was quickly pulled from the website, as the album was in very early planning stages. Eventually, Kill Rock Stars announced that ''Either/Or: Extended Edition'' (as it was to be called) had been scrapped in favor of a rarities and unreleased music compilation from Smith's time at the label. Mixing for the album was done by Larry Crane, the archivist for Smith's estate. The album cover was created by

Portland Portland most commonly refers to: * Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States * Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...

, Oregon artist Mike King, who has produced work for numerous other musicians.

Track information

The selections on ''New Moon'' are primarily taken from the sessions of ''

'' and ''

'', with some tracks culled from early '' XO'' sessions, and a 1996 radio session. For the ''Either/Or'' record, Smith recorded a song entitled "Pretty Mary K", which is featured on this set. However, after scrapping this song, Smith used the title "Pretty Mary K" for a different song on his ''

Figure 8 Figure 8 (figure of 8 in British English) may refer to: * 8 (number), in Arabic numerals Entertainment * ''Figure 8'' (album), a 2000 album by Elliott Smith * "Figure of Eight" (song), a 1989 song by Paul McCartney * '' Figure Eight EP'', a ...

'' album. Later, while recording ''

From a Basement on the Hill ''From a Basement on the Hill'' is the sixth and final studio album by the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Recorded from 2000 to 2003, and faced with multiple delays due to Smith's personal problems that resulted in his death, it was rel ...

'', Smith recorded a new version of the former song under the title "Everything's OK". Thus, "Pretty Mary K (Other Version)" on the ''New Moon'' set is essentially an early version of "Everything's OK". The original versions of the tracks "See You Later" and "Half Right" are both on the album ''

Mic City Sons ''Mic City Sons'' is the third and final album by American indie rock band Heatmiser, released on October 29, 1996 through record label Caroline. Recording ''Mic City Sons'' is the band's only recording for a major label. However, when individ ...

'' by

Heatmiser Heatmiser was an American rock band, formed in Portland, Oregon in October 1991. Consisting of Elliott Smith (guitar and vocals), Neil Gust (guitar and vocals), Brandt Peterson (bass; later replaced by Sam Coomes, frontman of Quasi) and Tony Las ...

, Smith's old band.

Release

''New Moon'' reached number 16 in the US chart. It sold around 24,000 copies in its first week. It was awarded a silver certification from the

Independent Music Companies Association The Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA), originally the Independent Music Publishers and Labels Association, is a non-profit trade association established in 2000 to help European independent record labels represent their agenda a ...

which indicated sales of at least 30,000 copies throughout Europe.

Critical reception

''New Moon'' was very well received by critics.

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

wrote, "''New Moon'' howcasesSmith at his most instinctive and natural".

Track listing

*Tracks 1–3, 7 recorded during the ''

'' sessions. *Tracks 4–6, 10 recorded during the ''

'' sessions. *Tracks 8, 9, 11 recorded at Jackpot! Studios in 1997. *Track 12 taken from a 1996 radio session. *Tracks 1–3 recorded during the ''

'' sessions. *Tracks 4–10 recorded during the ''

'' sessions. *Tracks 11, 12 taken from a 1996 radio session.

References

{{Authority control Elliott Smith albums Compilation albums published posthumously 2007 compilation albums Kill Rock Stars compilation albums Albums produced by Larry Crane (recording engineer)