Hear Julien Baker’s “Ballad Of Big Nothing” Cover For Elliott Smith Tribute

A new Elliott Smith tribute album will arrive later this year featuring artists ranging from Dinosaur Jr.’s J. Mascis to Waxahatchee. The announcement for Say Yes! A Tribute to Elliott Smith arrived last month with Juliana Hatfield’s rendition of the late singer-songwriter’s “Needle In The Hay.” Now, Memphis-based songwriter Julien Baker gives her spin on the iconic Either/Or track, “Ballad Of Big Nothing.”

With a style very similar to that of Smith’s, Baker’s “Ballad Of Big Nothing” cover recalls the tenderness of the original track. In contrast to Smith’s poppy delivery, Baker’s version features subdued vocals and a swirling mix of echoing guitar and piano chords.

Say Yes! is set for an Oct. 14 release via American Laundromat Records with covers from artists such as Wild Sun, Yuck, William Fitzsimmons, Juliana Hatfield and more. Check out the full list and listen to “Ballad Of Big Nothing” (which premiered yesterday on Entertainment Weekly) below.

Say Yes! A Tribute to Elliott Smith Tracklist (alphabetized by song):
01. Waxahatchee – “Angeles”
02. Julien Baker – “Ballad Of Big Nothing”
03. Tanya Donelly – “Between The Bars”
04. Yuck – “Bled White”
05. Jesu/Sun Kil Moon – “Condor Ave”
06. Lou Barlow – “Division Day”
07. Wild Sun – “Easy Way Out”
08. Tomo Nakayama – “Miss Misery”
09. Juliana Hatfield – “Needle In The Hay”
10. Caroline Says – “No Name #3”
11. Adam Franklin – “Oh Well, Okay”
12. Amanda Palmer – “Pictures Of Me”
13. William Fitzsimmons – “Say Yes”
14. Escondido – “Waltz #1”
15. J. Mascis – “Waltz #2”