Elliott Smith: Wendy Lynch/Retna

Elliott Smith

Largely just basic tracks at the time of his sudden, gruesome death last year, Smith's fragile swan song blends the drug-addled anger of early albums with the Spectoresque sonics of recent work. It's an apt conclusion to a career cut short by mysterious circumstances. The dreamy dirge ''King's Crossing'' will stand as one of his most resplendent performances.