Either Or

I first listened to this album in 2004 when a member of the cross country team, Grant Hepler, recommended it to me. It quickly became my favorite 'sad' album and I listened to this like, 5 times straight when Lauren Dickerson (a Senior) was going to ask me to prom but some stupid ass Mormon kid asked her while I was in Florida visiting friends. She ended up banging Matt Dara who was honestly a very cool and nice senior who invited me to a lot of shit when I first moved back to NJ. Unfortunately he later developed a pretty bad opioid addiction after fucking up his back deadlifting. Good album though

Surprisingly, this supremely technologically advanced website didn’t save my review of Raw Power, so here’s that one: Really uncomfortable with how Iggy sings the word “penetration” as if it includes my name. But yeah, otherwise, this album sounds like it was recorded in a garbage can in the best possible way. As for “Either Or,” well… I’ll just say that when I was in grad school I was a student teacher for a bunch of freshmen taking a required writing class that most had absolutely zero interest in taking. I had no clue what the fuck I was doing, but I know for a fact that I turned at least two students on to Elliott Smith by making the class write about a song from “XO.” So I did my part to make the world a better place. I hope those students are somewhere in Ohio feeling sad right now about being adults, listening to Elliott Smith just to cope. As it should be.

Oh yeah. I know this one already. He was already dead before I discovered him, so I didn't get the "loss" part of this firsthand, but listening to this makes me feel for him, a little sad for what he must have wrestled with. The production is so intimate and unique. Multitracking vocals, the mic is practically in his mouth. The snare drum feels like a millimeter from your eardrum, the guitar's next to you on the couch, but the cymbals are out in the backyard. You can hear how he's influenced Beck, PortugalThaMan, of course Ásgeir Trausti, even Olivia Rodrigo. If you dig this guy but hadn't heard of him before... keep listening to XO and self-titled. And don't miss Mic City Sons from his previous band, Heatmiser.

It's hard to find new things to say about this utter classic. Its bleak, past-midnight quality is never oppressive, thanks to clever wordplay and Smith's understated musicianship. For all its influence, it's a modest album - standouts "Angeles" and "Between the Bars" are deceptively simple, and "Say Yes" balances mournful and hopeful so well it makes you want to play it on repeat. Even louder, more aggressive songs like "Cupid's Trick" make sense in context. One of the best records of the 90s.

I’ve loved a lot off this album for a long time. It really touches on the inner sadness of humanity. It’s really a shame he passed and couldn’t make more music. I love this album and will definitely listen again many times.

I listened but it was so forgettable I couldn't discern one song from the next. Mostly just droning on and sleepy guitar plunks. Why do the reviewers think I needed to hear this?

I hadn't heard of this album, or indeed Elliott Smith, before this came up here and, frankly, it's downright criminal that I haven't been listening to this for decades. I'm a sucker for anything that is or would be at home on a 'Life Is Strange' soundtrack and a lot of this album fits that bill perfectly. A new discovery that's going to make it firmly into more regular listening

Reminds me of being 14... didn't like it then don't like it now. I recognize some of the appeal but all it does for me is remind me of raging hormones and wild mood changes.

A friend once called Elliott Smith a 'talent vacuum'. I think he was being too kind. There is definitely a black hole of anything good around the man. One of the first albums of this quest was his, and I've dreaded another coming up since. It's fucking awful, it gives me a physical reaction because it's so awful. Pile o' shite!

Easily one of the best records of the 90s

A couple of clear Heatmiser castaways here; Elliott really never traveled down that path again with the bigger studio budgets for his major label works. Had "Miss Misery" been able to make the record, it would be the complete apex of his early career. Still, a stunning work that makes you ache to still have him with us.

<3 Elliott Smith means a hella lot to me. I'm always sus when people say "this artist got me through a hard time" but it was very much the case that this guy was the soundtrack to some pretty sad times in my life - you know that bit in High Fidelity where John Cusack speculates about whether letting kids have access to all this sad music is safe? I feel like if I had a kid and they came home with an Elliott Smith record I'd worry similarly. The latter albums also mean a lot to me - figure 8 and XO have a lot more multitracking and complex arrangements, which works for my imagination. The final album, From A Basement On The Hill, is so utterly devastating that I can barely listen to it. One of my all time faves, and an easy 5-star for me. A beautiful, singular songwriter. Standout track - between the bars, I think it has to be, but I also wanna point to rose parade, because people always remember Elliott Smith for the sad ones, but actually the best ones make you feel strangely happy

Some of the greatest songwriting ever. Elliot's style is so unique, intimate, passionate, vulnerable, and engaging. I will learn guitar, because of this record.

♥️

I really liked this. Very intimate and subdued, but that didn't stop it from dragging me along and making me feel like I am walking the cracked pavement streets of LA.

Now this is interesting. Somehow, even though it is far from a love letter, this album captures everything I love about cities, particularly Los Angeles. The raspy, vagabond delivery here tells me that this is an authentic cut, and digging into his story confirms that suspicion, excellent album.

I had to wait until an appropriately gray day to listen to this because Elliott Smith is not sunny day music. I only ever had Figure 8, but thank goodness this album is on the list because it reminded me how much I enjoy wallowing in his music. He is like the male Aimee Mann to me, not quite folk but folk adjacent, not the biggest voice/range but super emotive, distressed in the best way like soft jeans.

Oh man... I love Elliott Smith but it's impossible not to feel a profound sense of sadness every time, in every song. Has there ever been anyone who has this affect? I think I get a bit of the same feeling listening to David McComb but not on the Elliott Smith level. Wonderful and heartbreaking and beautiful and despairing.

Really dug this one. This is the Elliott Smith album that everyone talks about, perhaps its his holy grail. I enjoyed it a lot more than the previous album we got, as it veered much closer to the singer-songwriter style that I wanted to hear. He's got a really interesting voice that communicates pain very well. I can't say I picked up on too many lyrics, but just listening back to tracks more than once I know this all would grow on me even more and get under my skin in a good way. Kudos. Favorite tracks: Speed Trials, Between the Bars, Rose Parade, Angeles, Cupids Trick, 2:45AM. Album art: I know my comment on the other Elliott Smith album was that he looked like a dork, this one he looks like a badass. Not sure where's he's located but he's smoking a cig in a way that the Surgeon General would hate because it looks cool. 4.5/5

I gave this a few listens, as its seems the sort of thing I might really like. This confirmed my initial impression of liking the gentle singer songwriter vibe with textured breathy vocals, and that the lyrics are interesting, sad and emotionally charged. However, I couldn't find that unknown something that would have made it click or resonate with me personally. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Ballad Of Big Nothing Date listened: 06/06/22

Whenever dealing with lists like this, there are always entries which make me question their inclusion. This is the first of those, I attempted to fight my way through the album twice but just couldn't get past the fact this man cannot sing, and can't make catchy enough beats to make up for that fact.

Sublime

Never a bad day for Elliott, ever.

I had this on repeat for two days. It is right up my alley

Poetic

Such a good album and I'm finding myself wondering why I've NEVER listened to any of Elliott Smiths music before! This album kept my attention and kept me wanting more! 4.4/5 Best tracks: Say Yes Alameda

"Pictures Of Me" has got zest but the rest of Either/Or is quite boring.

Not my favorite but good enough to finish the whole album

Ooh, a late 90s singer/songwriter I haven’t heard of! ***three tracks later*** Oh, that’s why I haven’t heard of him…

Double-tracked whisper singing is my kryptonite. Best track: Pictures of Me.

Meh

Found this pretty damn boring, didn't excite me enough to really listen to many of the songs closely at all

1. zpeed trialz - 1 2. alameda - 1 3. ballad of big nothing - 1 4. betueen the barz - 1.5 5. picturez of me - 1 6. no name - 1.5 7. roze parade - 1 8. punchk and judy - 1 9. angelez - 1 10. cupidz trick - 1 11. 2.45 am - 1.5 12. zay yez - 1.5

Bad album. Struggled listening through this one.

As with all these medium known artists I didn't hate it, but I don't see why I should particularly like it either. Nothing stand out.

Just extraordinarily mediocre - i don’t get it even slightly

Dry, uninspiring. Can't believe single got a Grammy nod, not for me.

Great stuff - mellow and melancholy. I think I prefer his self titled slightly more, but this is still top notch. Fave tracks - "Between the Bars", "No Name No. 5" and "2:45 AM" all stood out this time around.

Una preciosidad de disco. La voz, las melodías, ese ligero sonido LoFi combinado con arreglos intrincados.

love this album! So sad but his voice is beautiful.

Except for Buckley this is the best singer songwriter album we've had so far. First few songs were nice enough, very Beatlesy, but as it went on it deviated from this formula and stayed interesting. One complaint would be that his voice is a bit subdued and monotone, I like it when a singer can do loud as well as quiet. That said it does work on these songs. Will be coming back, 4.5.

indie love this album and elliot he do be a cool gentleman 4.7/5

One of the all-time great sad albums. Between the bars gets me every time... Elliott was a poet and his voice is incredible. The mixing of the acoustic guitar is also excellent throughout the album. A total classic

Delicate and beautiful and sad and sweet and tragic.

I mean come on

I can't relate to Elliott Smith's struggles with addiction, but this kind of music goes straight to my soul. Beautiful, poignant lyrics with wistful melodies. Love it. Highlights: Between the bars, Ballad of big nothing, Alameda, Pictures of me, Cupid's trick (which stands out for its much rockier sound than the rest, which are indie folk).

Awesome new discovery for me! His voice gives me the chills, guitar is simple but really powerful. Until now I had only known "Angeles" without knowing it was Elliott Smith. Definitely a great album and great addition to my repertoire.

Listened to it twice. It was that good!

Day97 - discovering great albums like this is what i’m here for.

literally woke up with say yes stuck in my head this morning. A++++

Headbanging folk music from a whisper. Some tracks sound like acoustic versions of hardcore songs, which makes sense considering Smith used to be part of a hardcore band and produced for his girlfriend's punk band. Parallels with Cobain are obvious.

I've never heard of this band before but he's great! Listened through the entire album without a bad thought. I really like 2:45, angeles and between the bars. Really nice music with lots of great guitar. Might be one of my favorite albums here so far.

Heatmiser's 'Half Right' was on a mix CD a friend made for me titled "Music to Slit Your Wrists To". It was track number three. I was fortunate enough to see ES at the Henry Fonda theatre just before he died. It wasn't a great show, even sad watching him stand up on stage and forget the lyrics to his own songs. A couple of months later, on the way to work, driving up Topanga Canyon, KCRW played continuous ES one-after-another and another for most of the drive until there was a break. Nic Hartcourt came on and said Elliott Smith was found dead in his Silverlake apartment, just on the other side of town a few hours earlier. I pulled over. Until receiving "Music to Slit Your Wrists To" I hadn't considered how truly sad Elliot Smith and his music was. That stuff is kinda just glossed over, or was... Everyone was sad in the 90's early 2000's but just accepted as normal life where depression hid in plain sight and nobody recognized it as something to pay attention to. For a lot of people, myself included, the music of ES provided a place to go and hide and be enveloped by unobjectionable solitude. Kind of like a place of rest, stagnation and complacency. Either / Or got a huge boost from Good Will Hunting and rightfully so, Elliott Smith's music complemented Will Hunting's loneliness perfectly. I listened constantly and bought most anything he released without hesitation, my favorite song, No Name No. 5 is on this album. I still love it though I hadn't listened all the way though in probably 15 years. I have a reluctance for change which may be why I liked ES so much. Three years after the new millennium closed the death of Elliot Smith ended the 90's for me. No Name No. 5, the heavy drop-d tuned song still sparkles dimly in my imagination as an artifact of a life with an errant existence and no place to be.

Maybe the greatest album of that decade?

Maybe it's my age, but this is a fucking masterpiece.

I've weirdly been hesitant to listen to Elliott Smith until now. It's not that I worried it would be bad but because it wouldn't be this inspirational force in my life like how it is with most people. I walked away pretty amazed with how smooth and digestible this album is. It's emotionally complicated and Smith's voice really carries each song. What a stunning surprise.

I had a hard time initially getting Elliott Smith's wispy vocals and folk guitar sameness. After repeated listens, I really like the introspection in the lyrics, the subtle variety of additional instruments on some tracks and the melodic nature of the songs. It is really good. Big fan of Cupid's Trick, Angeles, and Alameda.

Love this album. Especially the songs from Good Will Hunting. So soft and mellow - but still a little haunting and depressing at times.

I've always loved Elliott and his depression-fueled melodies. This takes me way back to a very specific place in my high school career. Parts of this album reminded me of Sufjan Stevens, in a way that other Smith never really has before. Lovely stuff.

I first heard of Elliott Smith through the movie Good Will Hunting which featured a few of his songs including songs from this album. I went out and bought this record and enjoyed it some of his best work is on this album with Between the Bars, Ballad of Big Nothing, Angeles, Speed Trials and Say Yes all excellent and Pictures of Me my personal favourite. A great album that would reinvigorate the singer songwriter genre and inspire a lot of people to pick up guitars and song introspective lyrics, maybe too many.

Haven’t listened to this album in 20+ years. Good to hear it again. He was a talented songwriter, with his own recognizable style and techniques.

I like this -- catchy songs, good lyrics. And although Smith's voice is high, it doesn't have that reedy tone that makes me want to pierce my own eardrums.

Another one I've not heard before. I was aware of Elliott Smith and friends loved his albums at the time. But I'd never got into him. Really liked some of the stuff on this album. At times his melodies are incredible.

My college teacher always swore by this being her favourite of all time and although I wouldn't have rated it always this highly I must admit it has always been a go to for me. I wasn't always a fan of the way he sang but they have warmed on me and change through time. I also think the mix is great one of the most pleasing soft mixes I an think of it helps when you can hear it properly through headphones etc but something about it is nice and soft. I said it before with Jeff Buckley that this is a hard genre to pull off and I think this is great, it may not hit the heights for me as Jeff Buckley does but it is up there. A strong 4/5. Stand Out Songs; Between the Bars Cupid's Trick Ballad of Big Nothing

Another artist that I have heard of before, but haven't listened to. This site really is one of the reasons why I love the internet! A couple songs in, I'm really loving the sound of this so far. Kind of mellow, warm, bright-ish lyrics and instrumentals, definitely something I'd listen to just chill out and take it easy. A lot of songs get kind of depressing when you read into the lyrics. Can't say I can relate with stuff like alcohol addiction all that well, but the way he phrases things and makes you feel is really striking and captivating. I like all of the songs on here so far. Not sure what else to say about this project, It's got interesting lyrics, that laid back, personal sounding accoustic guitar instrumentals, this warm energy.. I could go on and on, but overall, I really like this, 8/10 definitely!

Surprisingly poignant and arresting. I wouldn't have figured a singer/songwriter could be this engaging. Also, it very much sound like the product of a tortured artist who wasn't going to survive.

I'm in a crappy mood today, and I don't feel like this is what I needed to hear to get out of it. So wanted to give it a 3. But, I'm sure it would be an easy 4 on a normal day.

Moody and melancholic: two big ticks for me. I’d never listened to Elliott Smith before but he’s often been recommended in the past. Kinda avoided him as for some reason I assumed he’d sound like Into it Over it, American Football, etc., and as much as I love them bands and that style, I just never fancied adding more to the list. Gotta be in the mood. This is different to what I expected though. Sounds raw, not sure if that was a purposeful recording technique, but it works. Comes across quite lofi anyway which is another tick for me. I’ll definitely be back and reckon this could be a grower

Relatable to a low feeling most have felt before.

Elliott Smith is apparently one of those guys who will get at least 4 stars from me. I have very little to say about this except that I liked it a lot. I knew it pretty much already and I have had a certain number of beers so I’m going to end here.

Elliott Smith's music has always spoken to my soul, and this album is no exception. I love how his songs feel quiet and intimate one moment and the next they open up and fly. Not my favorite album of his, though. 4.5/5 stars

Solid songwriting and I like his vulnerable, but not whiney, voice. The album starts with a handful of strong tracks but fades a bit. Very melancholic feel, but knowing he died young and led a miserable life could have contributed to that. Once again, Spotify sent me, to Nick Drake after the last song, which isn't a surprise.

Genre: Indie Folk 4/5 Elliott Smith, who unfortunately left our world much too early, left behind one of the more influential bodies of work in all of indie music, and continues to be a benchmark of quality in the genre. Either/Or serves as his magnum opus (to most), and is an exercise in melancholy, played out in a brilliant, folk-driven way from Smith. While this sort of tempo and tenor throughout a project can leave me wanting a bit more, this album makes up for its lack of sonic variations with its heart-wrenching vocal performances and Elliot Smith's true songwriting talent. It didn't tickle me quite as much as I had hoped, but it certainly did not disappoint.

em comparação com seus trabalhos anteriores, either/or tem uma atmosfera ainda mais intimista com a incorporação de melodias ainda mais suaves nas composições. não que a música não tenha sido um fator importante antes, mas nunca na discografia dele ela estava tão alinhada com a atmosfera e com o storytelling característico do artista, o que faz parecer que ele está do seu lado, cantando diretamente no seu ouvido. um álbum absurdamente memorável, ainda que não seja meu favorito dele, foi o que me fez conhecê-lo. um dos álbuns que mais ouvi na vida.

It's melancholic and comforting at the same time. I've never heard anything by Elliot Smith until now, and I'm glad I got to listen to something so beautiful.

Nr. 119/1001 Speed Trials 4/5 Alameda 4/5 Ballad of Big Nothing 4/5 Between The Bars 5/5 Pictures Of Me 3/5 No Name No. 5 3/5 Rose Parade 4/5 Punch And Judy 3/5 Angeles 4/5 Cupid's Trick 4/5 2:45 AM 4/5 Say Yes 4/5 Average: 3,83 Unusual vocal style. Liked this very, very much. One of my favorite discoveries so far.

I would have loved this if I were a teen/20 something. The chord changes and arrangements are very emotive, plus the breathy singing with lots of reverb. It's an intimate feeling. However, it doesn't speak to me like it might have earlier in my life. I can see why it was popular though, with kids listening with headphones after going to bed and dreaming of their future.

Nothing flashy. Just good melodies and song crafting. This hits the mellow vibe just right for me.

I really like the vibe on this album. Rose Parade is very pleasant. But then all the songs are pleasant. I think I've heard one or two of his songs before but I'm surprised I'm not more aware of Elliott Smith. I think a lot of indie bands have been trying to produce this sound lately. Elliott Smith was way ahead of the curve. And then he died :(

When I first listened to Either Or several years ago when working my way through this list I was absolutely transfixed by Smiths songwriting. Years later I still find the record striking a nerve with Smiths sense of melody and guitar sound stealing the show ('Alameda', 'Rose Parade', 'Punch and Judy'). Although most compositions are fragile and intimate, like 'Between The Bars', Smith shows quite the range on a few tracks like 'Cupid's Trick' and the Sgt. Peppers inspired 'Pictures of Me'. Strong disassociation all over the place from a very strong lyricist: "Crooked spin can't come to rest, I'm damaged bad at best"

4.0 - This album is a great companion for when I'm feeling down. There's a morose vibe that's tinged with some hopeful light that helps buoy my spirit. In particular, I love "Speed Trials", "Ballad of Big Nothing", "Pictures of Me", and "Rose Parade." I love the grunge-like hooks tempered with the somber acoustic guitar anchor and the subtle fills that keep songs sounding tuneful and interesting.

I have this, probably because I loved "Good Will Hunting" when it came out. In an inversion of this list’s usual preference, this record has decent tunes undermined by a monotonous vibes. Hey Simon, our ninth album on this odyssey was one of Smith's! To celebrate this, I shall misquote your half of our review: "Get it together dude, you're dead but who cares?"

It is a really great album but I'm just not engaged enough by his voice to place it on the pedestal that some do

Not my favourite Elliott Smith album - I tend to prefer his other albums (this a little too far on the mellow/low-fi spectrum) - but it's still Elliott Smith, which means good melodic songs which is in my wheelhouse. Very listenable but by the end there's a sameness that leads to diminishing returns. Take the top ~7 songs and it would have made a great EP - 3 stars (6/10).

This is perfectly pleasant, if not very exciting, and does feel like an incredibly long 36 minutes. Having said that it is certainly not worth stabbing myself twice in the chest over.

Pleasant, a few better tracks - could use some edge - mostly 'meh.

Some sweet sweet bummer rock, I enjoyed it, but it’s not a complete banger.

One thing I've learned about myself in doing this project is I have a lot of respect for artists whose music is reflective of the time period while also being unique to the artist. It's a fine balance, and this album is a great example. It's so uniquely 90's alternative, but in a distinctive way. There is a lot of pain and apathy in this album, and it pulls me into the emotions and life of Elliott Smith. He had an untimely death not long after this album was released, so it's an even more poinient snapshot in time of a troubled life.

Good album, I understand the appeal Elliott Smith has and do enjoy some of his best known songs, but I don't particularly click with his music.

Meh. Nothing moving. Wispy gentle emo solo

Sounds really basic and uninspired - never understood why this guy got any attention. So many superior examples of this type of music are out there, your local bar singer-songwriter can probably do it better. Quite brief, at least

Easy listening, but a bit... Boring. Apologies to the fans, I know lots of people hold him in very high regard indeed.

Not very exciting but fine

This one I just couldn’t get in to. I’m all for dark, slow, brooding music and artists but I found myself not listening and trailing off with my thoughts more than I heard the music. As always, respect to Elliot Smith but not my thing. Choice cut:2:45 am

Jeg lyttede til det her album først da jeg var på arbejde og efterfølgende da jeg kom hjem og skulle læse. Jeg kendte ikke kunstneren, men havde godt hørt hand navn i et afsnit af Rick and Morty (Tiny Rick afsnittet). Jeg havde regnet med noget melankolsk akustisk guitar og hvad der nu hører til det, og det var også delvist rigtig. I sidste ende sagde albummet dog ikke mig det helt store.

I don't get it. I guess he packs a lot of emotion and vulnerability into his lyrics, but the music is nowhere near interesting enough for me to capture anything he's singing about. It's the type of music where you forget you're listening to something because it's so blah.

I actually had to turn this off. One of the handfuls of types of voices I can’t stand-whiny but monotone. Listen again: no Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: none

Repetitive, uninspired, insipid, there is absolutely nothing to enjoy about this low-energy emo rubbish unless you need something to make guests leave your party when it's getting late.

Beautifully subtle, subtlety brilliant. Incredible indie guitar album with the perfect amount of edge. Can hear how this has influenced so many to go after him eg Andy Shauf, Matt Costa and Tiny Little Houses. Can even hear a bit of Paper Mache era Gizz in the first couple of tracks. Strong start but even stronger finish in Rose Parade and Angeles. No Name No. 5 is a perfectly composed track. He also sounds exactly like another more contemporary artist (especially in Angeles) that I can't put my finger on if my life depended on it. Hopefully it will come to me one day in a future relisten. Also 50 points for punching a dart on the album cover.

Lots of love for this album, listened while walking to work in the rain. Pretty much the perfect way to hear its dreamy melancholy. Wonderful.