House of Wolves honors Elliott Smith with "A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free"

Villalobos has always sounded like a kindred sad bastard spirit of Smith, and it’s not hard to trace the lineage of his fragile, whispery voice when listening to each version side by side. But Villalobos isn’t afraid to tread into rougher and rawer territory on his version of the From A Basement On The Hill closer, delivering a retake that ditches the bluesy, almost upbeat swagger (as well as the backing melodies and posthumous production flourishes) of the original in favor of a pure acoustic rendition that toes the line between quiet meditation and outright hostility.

The result doubles as a moving tribute to an otherworldly talent and a call to arms. As Rey puts it: "'A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free' is a very intricate/complex song, yet so simple and so Elliott! It has such a feeling of angst and passion.

"I love this song because it reminds me to change perspectives to be free; to change your thinking and you'll see in a different and new light; to break through, move and not to be stagnant, or stuck, in the same ole same 'ole bullshit.”