That's some sad bastard music...
I'm listening to some excellent sad bastard music this morning. So far I've listened to Elliott Smith - X0 twice today. Now I'm onto Will Oldham - I see darkness, or Bonnie Prince Billy, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, or whatever name he is going by this week. It has gone well with the book about C# that I'm reading.
Elliott Smith is very much in the beautiful sadness category. In many ways his sound reminds me of Paul Simon. On the Good Will Hunting soundtrack which he was famous for, I thought it might be Paul Simon the first time I saw it. But, the more I examine this album he really has his own unique style. In other ways he really parallels the career of the great Nick Drake who also died at an early age. I am also reminded of Ian Curtis of Joy Division. The music doesn't sound at all the same but both talked about dying and self loathing a lot in their lyrics, kind of predicting their own demise. I listened to The Best of Alice in Chains yesterday in a friends car and it the themes in their songs also seem to predict the early demise of one of the all time great rock voices, Layne Staley.
Will Oldham, also has the sad undertones. But, he is more positive at times to balance it out I think. So, hopefully he will be staying alive to continue making good music.