Figure 8 may refer to:

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Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, and the final album he completed before his death. It was recorded from 1999 to 2000 at numerous studios and released on April 18, 2000 through DreamWorks Records. Preceded by the singles "Happiness" and "Son of Sam", Figure 8 was Smith's second release on a major label.

Background

Figure 8 was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Sonora Studios in Los Angeles, Capitol Studios in Hollywood and Abbey Road Studios in London.

The title is thought to be taken from a song by Schoolhouse Rock!; Smith covered this song, but it did not make the final track listing. Regarding the album's title, Smith said this in a May 11, 2000 article in Boston Herald:

Smith described the songs on the album as "more fragmented and dreamlike".

Cover photo

The wall Smith stands in front of in Autumn de Wilde's photograph on the cover of the album exists in Los Angeles, and since his death it has become a memorial to him. It is located at 4334 W. Sunset Boulevard, which is a store by the name of Solutions Audio-Video Repair, just east of the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue. It has at some stages been covered with written messages containing lyrics and personal messages to Smith, as well as displaying a stencil of Smith in order to mimic the photo on the album cover. It is regularly graffiti-ed over, followed by regular restorations from fans.

The Figure 8 Belay Device is a piece of metal (usually an aluminum alloy) in the shape of an 8 with one large end and one small end. This device utilities a large surface area in contact with a climbing rope to provide sufficient friction along with proper technique to be used as a belaying device or for rappelling. A figure 8 (sometimes just referred to as an 8) is used in conjunction with a Climbing harness and locking carabiner to keep a climber safe and control their descent or ones own descent (when rappelling)

Pros

Figure 8s offer a very smooth controlled descent when rappelling and lowering climbers. They can be used with nearly any diameter climbing rope and don't get as hot as other friction devices because of their ability to dissipate heat efficiently.

Cons

A Figure 8 should only be used for top rope climbing because of its inability to handle the impact and stop the descent of a falling climber who is lead climbing. For lead climbers an assisted belay device (e.g. grigri) or ATC type belay device is recommended.