Elliott Smith: “Pretty (Ugly Before)” (2003)
Though born in Nebraska and raised in Texas, Elliott Smith is identified most strongly with Portland, where he spent most of his singer-songwriter career.
Alcohol and drug addiction, as well as depression, informed his frequently melancholy work.
Smith died in 2003 at age 34 under clouded circumstances. His death was never conclusively ruled a suicide or a homicide. The stab wounds to the chest that killed him have never been conclusively determined to be inflicted by Smith himself, as opposed to his girlfriend, who was present and had been fighting with Smith at the time. Smith had no hesitation wounds typical of a suicide, and though there was a suicide note, it has been claimed that his name was misspelled on it.
Regardless, he died too soon. But left us some beautiful melodies.
