I remember the first time I heard him. I was watching a short film festival at a run down theater in Portland (a theater which I was later to own and contribute to further running-down--a story for another day). They used his song "Last Call" in a film and when it came on I remember a shuddering thrill coming over me. It was one of those moments where you can't pay attention to anything but that song that's playing. I'd never heard music quite like this before; it cut right through me.
I'm a wisecracking bastard by and large but, as you can tell, on the topic of Elliott Smith I wax ecstatic like the besotted fanboy that I am.