Torment Saint

September 1, 2013

Smith's violent death in 2003 cemented the still-enduring popular concept of the tortured artist and Smith as one who crafted songs of intense self-reflection and beauty. Here Schultz (An Emergency in Slow Motion: The Inner Life of Diane Arbus) provides plenty of details about Smith's downfall but also seeks to show a fuller picture by exploring his upbringing in Texas, intellectual influences, and development as a songwriter. Schultz isn't shy about labeling Smith as a genius, and, as a result, is at times overly florid and effusive in praise. Yet he remains persuasive in describing how Smith's sensitivity, honesty, and artistic drive had an uncommon effect upon those around him, even as he battled with drug addiction and memories of emotional abuse that occurred when he was a child. Even better is Schultz's analysis of Smith's lyrics and music, which establishes common threads and exposes surprises across the songwriter's body of work. The result is an admirably well-written biography with much to offer. VERDICT This title is essential for fans of Smith but is more than worthwhile for any pop music fan.--Chris Martin, North Dakota State Univ. Libs., Fargo

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 29, 2013
In this detailed biography of Elliott Smith, the gifted singer-songwriter who was beloved by the indie-rock world and praised for solo albums such as Either/Or, Schultz opens a window on the musician who died from a fatal stab wound in 2003 at age 34. Schultz—editor of the Handbook of Psychobiography and author of books on Truman Capote and Diane Arbus—brings to his work a deep understanding of how inner and outer landscapes can affect unique and sensitive artists. Schultz follows the “uncanny” intersection of the lives of Smith and fellow Pacific Northwest rocker Kurt Cobain: both witnessed domestic violence and divorce during their childhoods, with “resulting feelings of abandonment and loss of security showing up regularly in songs”; both suffered from lifelong bouts of depression; both hung out in Portland bars where “the prevailing mid-1980s zeitgeist” included “punk, indie, anything-goes aesthetics”; and both used hard drugs such as heroin. But no matter how dark Smith’s story gets, Schultz never loses sight of the beauty of his music. Agent: Betsy Lerner, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner.