Is Elsie a masterpiece?

I think Elsie is Brian's masterpiece... I don't think it's possible to top this record... It had no expectations and to me it feels like a complete catharsis of so many feelings that I cannot help but connect with the under/overlying vibe that the records gives out...

I don't think Brian has ever written anything that compares to this record ('59 Sound included) and I don't know if it's possible....

What does DSS think?

Yeah. Elsie is my favorite album ever, and probably will be forever. Between Ian's guitar work/other contributions and Brian's lyrics, nothing beats it. We can only hope to see another Crowes album in the future.

I loved it when it came out and now it doesn't do much for me. I don't know why.

simo wrote:

I loved it when it came out and now it doesn't do much for me. I don't know why.

Agreed. There are still a bunch of good songs on it, but it strikes me more of like, something that is easy to love if you want to love it, but not actually perfect in its own light.

Still a good solid album though, don't get me wrong. But Brian's masterpiece is either T59S or an album yet to come.

I think it's possibly too early to say it's the best thing Brian will ever put out. He may match it (I'd say T59S is close to it), I can't fathom what it would mean to exceed it though.

I mean, (IMHO) it's one of those pretty rare records that really has everything; excellent lyrics, interesting and powerful music, a theme or story that carries throughout, a feeling that carries throughout, songs that can exist on their own as singles, no clunkers, and I honestly can't think of a single thing that could be improved (although I doubt it's truly perfect).

That said, it's not necessarily my favorite TGA/THC record, I just think it's the most well done.

no

Its all personal preference at the end of the day; it depends what you're looking for in an album. For me? I absolutely love Elsie but do I prefer it over 59? That's debatable  ...guess I now have an excuse to go listen to both

Nah.

I'd put Sink or Swim over everything, and would put "Mae" or "Handwritten" (song) over anything on Elsie. So that's where I'm at.

i like american slang the 59 sound and handwritten just as much. it really depends on my MOOD

It does the best job of accomplishing what it sets out to be. There is no track that doesn't fit or stands out as a weak link and it's even better as a whole than as a collection of songs......I revisit it every once in a while but it's too much of a downer for me to keep it in constant rotation. I can't pick out any technical flaws in it like I can with every Gaslight album, yet I would rather listen to any Gaslight album.

^^Thank you for saying what I meant to say, better than I said it. I agree 100%  

I think yes Elsie could be considered a masterpiece because it contains some of the most emotionally powerful songs I have ever heard. In particular Blood Loss is devastating, the 'sirens they come, sirens they leave' at the end of the song is just so powerful and really hits you hard. Brian has a way of writing that taps into the way so many of us feel and that is why a lot of people love his music. I think pretty much every song he has written could be representative of the way I have felt and behaved at some point in my life. The Patient Ferris Wheel for example just became even more meaningful to me after a recent experience. Some lines just hit you.

I think Elsie is full of such powerful lyrics and I really hope we see a second HC album at some point in the future. It will be a big challenge for them to create something as memorable as Elsie but I think it can be done.

I think Elsie's beauty comes from that fact that it was so inspired purpose-driven. This record doesn't exist because a record was due under a recording contract, it exists because Brian had demons he needed to exorcise and things he needed to say. The result was a true and haunting work of art.

Shrewsbury_Stars wrote:

The result was a true and haunting work of art.

I think this is exactly what separates it from AS, HW, 59S, etc. etc. that it could be considered a work of art... Thus, making it Brian's masterpiece

Yes.

"Brian had demons he needed to exorcise and things he needed to say."

I got the impression that was the case with him lately too (based on posts he'd made), and that is why I'm sad this solo record isn't going to happen.  

^^^^
ditto.

yes, undoubtedly; and it's in my 'greatest records of all time' list as well; and I have a test pressing /4  

I think it is to date. Even though The '59 Sound is a great, evocative rock record, I think Elsie is a smarter, more diverse album, while still being just as great and evocative.

I like it a lot and one of my favorites, but it is not his best.

Elsie is in my top albums for sure. The fact that the songs seemed to strike a chord with a few things I was experiencing at the time made it seem really special to me. Another connection I have to it is that I first heard it when having possibly the best month long holiday of my life in Spain. So the songs take me back there in a way. And the songs are awesome in their own right too.

Agreed as well. This came out right after I got my heart broken by a girl, so this album really did help me cope,heal and learn to accept what happened, I am so glad it came out when it did. It was really a help to me.

I am going to say yes. This album is an incredible piece of art. Definately one of my top 5 favourite albums. I dont seem to play it much in the summer, its definately one for those winter nights. Fantastic effort by Brian on this and his vocals are insanely good.