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Elliott Smith: Shepherd's Bush Empire, London

Ian Watson, Melody Maker, 15 May 1999

AT FIRST, THE hushed, respectful, masses can't believe their eyes. They've come to sit and worship at the feet of the man who redefined sensitive, world-weary, singer/songwriting — and they expect certain traditions to be observed. The guitar will be strummed lightly in a quietly melancholic fashion; it will never be thrashed. The voice will be thin and humble, the kind of semi-whisper favoured by people who worry far too much before they open their mouths. The vibe will be "intelligent". And the hat will be on.

Total word count of piece: 350

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