Either Or

Enjoyable album, very calm and relaxing.

Nice indie rock arrangements that became the template for the 00s. Not really vining with the melody though which I thought was forgettable.

Elliot Smith might suffer from being too influential to the soundscape, because listening to this album it doesn't particularly stand out. Still great sadboi vibes.

Beautiful and depressing. A massage for the ears but dont obsess over them lurics

good, but not my cup of tea.

A lot of songs sound the same.

Better than the last one, but only by a little

original depresso meneer ken vooral between the bars van rick&morty heb niet helemaal naar geluisterd

A couple decent songs

The lyrics are melancholy, but the end product is a warm, pleasant listen. Elliott died from an apparent self-inflicted stab wound to the heart (WHAT?!) at 34, after an argument with his girlfriend, so he clearly dealt with a lot of demons. There’s also speculation he was murdered so who knows for sure I guess. Sounds like he talked about (and attempted) suicide a lot, and also had addiction issues. RIP to this tortured soul I’m just now hearing of. Thanks for the tunes.

Pretty good. This listen reminded me of living in Iowa City in the late ‘90s.

Favorite track: Say Yes

Easy to like and definitely preferred over Figure 8.

I like Elliott Smith’s music, but I can’t seem to really get into it.

An slow-paced easy listen

I'm usually Elliot Smith favourable, but I couldn't get into this one for some reason

VERY hard album to review. I listened to it passively hundreds of times in college. I really liked it back then, and it was just in the air. The people in college cooler than me were all telling me to listen. Now… I’m a little surprised that I’m much less into Elliot Smith and his voice and his writing than I used to be. The spell has definitely lifted. This is the one where he wrote hundreds of songs for, right? It sounds like… he wrote a hundred songs, and he released 12 demos. The songs just smack you upside the head, like, this is really good in a subversive, surprising way. Every once in a while he has a song that’s a unicorn song. One you would love to have written. But… the delivery! Is kind of lame! I’m not nearly as into it as I used to be. Seems lazy. I used to think something magical was going on. Now it just sounds lazy and a little hasty. First record was like… wow this isn’t nearly as good as I remembered it being, with those rose-tinted retrospective glasses. This might be my most unpopular opinion TODAY. For where music is today. It’s that this album is prettty okay with some phenomenal songs peppered in there that pretty mediocre in their delivery. I’m pretty over it. Could have gone for a 4 but will say a conflicted 3/5.

Smooth.

Not for me

Nice background music. I like his voice. Never heard of him until now.

Not really my preferred style of music

nice listen but didn't really pull me in.

Listened to it twice and sad to say found it dull and lifeless. Appreciated the innate depth of feeling and melancholy in the songs and a few songs were pleasant but on the whole not a vibe for me.

I just can't seem to get into Elliott Smith, even after all these years. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's fine; maybe I just need the right mood/environment to appreciate it.

I probably need to listen to this album a few more times. I love XO, but Either Or sounds like I’m listening to the same song over and over again.

Meh

I got more into it as the album went on. I think I've heard Rose Parade before. I wanted to re-listen to some of the tracks. 3.4.

I enjoyed Figure 8 when it came up earlier and really thought this could be the time I get into Elliott Smith… alas It’s fine, the song writing is generally pretty strong, and I especially enjoyed Ballad of Big Nothing and the anthemic Pictures of Me. My main issue is the sound - I know it’s lo-fi but that’s not an excuse for the snare to sound as shocking as it does on some of these tracks, and any vocal parts that go into Smith’s higher register sound like he’s trying not to wake somebody up from next door

Its all very pleasant for those who fear confrontation and conflict

Couldn't distinguish most words. Instruments overwhelmed vocals. Not for anyone clinically depressed even if they're on meds.

Kind of slow but worth another listen

A pleasant listen, if a bit dreary.

It's generally ok I guess, I like the guitar. However, I'm not into this sad kind of music atm and his voice is so monotonous. Angsty teenage me might've liked it more but present me is bored tbh

It's not my taste but it's a band that makes music

I understand why this could be a great album. But at the moment I don’t feeling it :)

Nice

Some really nice songs in there and I would maybe come back again and listen. Got a bit tiresome at points but it was short and had some interesting chord progressions.

Easy music, 3.5 stars. It was pretty samey. Stand-out: Angeles

The older brother of depressing indie music. Can see how it has influenced so many other artists. Enjoyed it

Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: Dinosaur Jr. - Goin' Home Fugazi - I'm so Tired Guided by Voices - As we go Up, We go Down Nick Drake - Pink Moon Sebadoh - Soul and Fire

It took me four songs to realise that it was a new song x

Great vibes

элиот смит король ночных автобусов

Un poco rollo. Le doy un 3 porque me gusta la música de este estilo.

Ethereal, moody, dirge-y. Some good melodies and a very certain vibe. Could grow on me. Best song: Alameda

I’ve enjoyed Elliott Smith for years but never have listened to his albums front to back. I really like this album, but there are definitely highs and lows on this album. There aren’t any “ugh! Skip” songs but some don’t grab my attention. Say Yes, Between Bars, Alameda and .05 are my faves.

I liked it better at 37 than I did when it came out. I know it was indie and probably somewhat DIY but if the production was a little better with more crisp vocals it would sound more clean.

I enjoy the simplicity of the album. It’s not over engineered, it’s not over instrumentalize, just good songs.

Look, dude's story is super tragic. Talented but tragic. But that's partially because dude was a total mess and nobody around him seemed to do anything to help. Well, that shows in this album. It's also a mess. Smart and compelling at points... but a mess. And nobody around him did anything to help dial it back. I'd say that was a symptom of the times but we're still letting talent and madness run rampant without caring enough about the person to help them. See: Kanye. Anyway, it's an alright album but it could have been and should have been better. Smith should have had the time to refine his work but the folks around him valued his work over his personhood. And that taints the thing for me.

Never heard of this, or him, before. Needs more listening to rate but say 3 for the first listen

Covers of these songs would probably be more appealing.

I don’t listen to Elliot smith anymore

Good background music for a calm vibe but nothing really stands out. Kinda basic in the end.

angeles tune uit good will hunting <3 verder beetje tranqi maar wel lekker, muziek past niet echt bij de cover. cupids trick ook best leuk

Somehow reminds me of a 90s version of John Lennon's later Beatles songs. The ones i don't like, unfortunately.

Good album. I'd rate it higher except for the fact that Smith’s voice has a very limited range, and that leads to many songs sounding very much the same.

Too emo for me.

Very distinct sound and voice either you like or you love. It’s cool but I couldn’t do an entire album

Nice tone to his voice.

Pretty good 3 4 It bores me a little but I think I'll like it in time

Very personal feel with the layering of his voice and the foward-ness of his vocals in the mix. Singer/Songwriter or indie folk is not my style, but this was not bad. Very depressing songs though.

Not bad, easy listen and melodic music

I like this album, but none of it sticks in the mind and to be honest I'm not fussed if I hear it again, but it'll be fine if I do. So 3 stars.

Nice ethereal background indie

My only preconception about this one is the vague notion that Elliot Smith music is sad--probably because of that one Rick and Morty episode. First Impressions: If yesterdays album felt like fall, this one feels like the dead of winter. The first couple songs are slow and sad to the point of bleakness. Its not until a few tracks in that theres a more up-tempo song, and even that one is not exactly cheerful. "So sick and tired of all these pictures of me....Everybodys dying just to get this disease". And that was just a short breather--its right back to the sad n slow after that. Oh yeah, this is a sad breakup album for sure. Its all heartbreak and loneliness. Could probably use this to induce a cry if needed. Some of these songs I think would be nice to try and learn on the guitar, but I'll have to try and pick one that isn't too sad, cos damn, I don't want my friends to worry about me. Maybe "Say Yes" ? Objective score is 4/5 but personal enjoyment score is 2/5. I'm too tight wound for the slower pace to really resonate right now, and I don't want to feel sad like this. But it's probably worth returning to in a different mindset. I will give 3/5 to try and reflect that feeling, rather than as a sign of being just "okay"

Some songs are way too whiny. If he used his full voice on every song, it would have been way better.

I think there’s a lot to like about this album, but I don’t feel a need to listen to it again. Luxuriating in sad music is for younger people.

Overall, this album was fairly decent but not exactly my favorite genre. I recognized some of the songs from Good Will Hunting which is one of my favorite movies. I think this connection raises my appreciation of the album but I still find it too "whispery" for the most part.

Songs to seduce Millenial girls. I get the genre even if it's not really my speed. This album is good but not great. The hooks are catchy but the vocals are rough and emotionally the album is one note.

I enjoyed a few of these tracks and saved a few to a playlist!

The trick is to avoid this type of thought process. Even if it feels like a delusion to you. Good length.

Whispy, eiery, intimate, reminds me of over the hedge john fruciante, i should listen more

wicked album. some bangers on there & can see the influence it had on loads of stuff after

Enjoyable enough for what it is. Just not my type of music. A bit too soft and samey for me. 3/5

I do enjoy a sad boy with a guitar. A 90’s album that seems like a direct precursor to some of my fav music of today but just doesn’t have the same personal nostalgia factor. favs of the bunch: speed trial, between the bars

Reminds me of someone but can't say who Shins maybe , very rainy day Kinda meh

Good album, but I don’t know at what time I should listen to it, after I got oder than 25 years old. Jk but it feels a lot like an album for people with the classical teenage angst. Nevertheless, really good album, just not exactly my cup of coffee (anymore).

Very LA, post-grunge, surfer-style, Eels adjacent. Not my kind of music generally but was not too unpleasant.

not really for me, i can appreciate the influence the album/artist has though

Elliot Smith is a good listen when you're alone on a rainy summer/winter day. You can tell why this was so popular and edgy when I was in high school. Lots of friends became one man show acoustic emo guys after this stuff started coming out. It's good, but it has its place for sure.

Chill

Я не запомню ничего из этого альбома. Были какие-то прикольные моменты, но в остальном альбом прошел мимо меня.

Algumas músicas legais mas achei bem qualquer coisa

I used to own this album on cd back in the day. I'm not a huge fan of the lo-fi sparseness of a lot of the songs, and while I enjoy some of it, the album never really clicked with me...then and now. I prefer when he does a more full arrangement such as with Pictures of Me, but that sound only shows up on a couple tracks. Overall I don't hate the album but its not really my cup of tea.

Pretty good. Never heard and Elliott Smith Album before. Was expecting more.

Ok

Lo-Fi indie centered around the acoustic guitar/vocal with clean tremelo+reverby electric guitar parts adding some color and a drum/bass to give the rockier songs a full band sound. His voice is hushed and breathy, constrained to whispering in a fairly high range. He has a fairly distinctive melodic sensibility that backs away from the big crescendo, building up to deflate and deflect away from the major resolution. The way its recorded sounds like demos or bedroom tapes, which, combined with the vocals and introspective lyrics gives the album an intimate almost parasocial feel. I've given this album a go so many times, but this time with good headphones, a lyric sheet, and close attention I get it much better - it just disappears as unobtusive kinda boring background music unless you zoom in. Still not the biggest fan of his voice, but this overcast afternoon I appreciated the autumnal moodiness of this much more than I have before. Favorites: Alameda, No Name No 5, Punch and Judy, Cupid's Love

A bit too mellow but some really good tracks that stand out b the rest of it a bit more background, kind of washed over me rather than grabbing my attention

3.6

3/5. A very personal album that feels distant, like he's not making for this for anyone but himself, which isn't bad but it is hard to connect. The main issue is the lyrics are a little hard to understand when just listening and the music is simple but just enough without overbearing the thought to listen. I understand the vocals are a vibe, but they really detract from the messages in the songs. I want to enjoy this one but it's definitely got its flaws as a listener. It's not bad but it'll take at least 10 listens to really click with me.

One of my favourite discoveries of the last few years is Christian Brothers by Elliott Smith. I listened to this album a few years back but wrote it off after one listen. Listening again a couple times now...I still don't really get it. It's not bad, but it's not particularly good either. Just straight average, but I know it's lauded. I feel like I'm missing something.

solid album. ideal for rainy days or coffee shops in oregon.

This is another non-album. Nothing wrong with it, but utterly unmemorable. This is the soundtrack to a very particular kind of day, like laid back 90s California beach day.

This wasn’t too bad. Liked it more than I thought I would. Did get redundant, though.

I think if I were a moody teenager in the Pacific Northwest when this came out this album would mean a lot to me. I was not such a teenager when this album came out, as it were. It was just ok for me. Maybe two songs really got my attention.

I just could not get into it. It’s definitely good, well produced and has a clean sound and finish but I’m not sure I’ll listen to it again

A lot of artists I really like were hugely influenced by Elliot smith but he just doesn’t really do it for me. The whisper singing works for sufjan and Phoebe Bridgers, but when he does it just doesn’t do much for me

Like, it's fine. Elliott Smith music is good enough, but it doesn't really excite me, his stuff has never really clicked with me as much as it has with so many.

Better than I expected

Nice music, guy's voice is a little too girly but its ok.

It was ok but not my type of music. Some songs I really like, some I don’t need to listen to

- Didn't like it as much as the last Elliott Smith album, but still fine - Got better in the second half - A little more lowkey than the other one

Its alright, songwriting was decent. A bit soft for me and not much variance between songs.

Boring

This was enjoyable but not memorable

Very laid-back indie rock (?), although the sameness of the vocals and guitar can get a bit repetitive, I don’t particularly mind it though

Ok but not amazing

Fine

Ja ach, prima. Het zegt me niet zoveel

It's undeniably great song writing, just not fully my vibe. Fav track: No name Number 5 3.5

BL: I have listened to this album before - and consider it the best of Smith’s work from what I’ve listened to (though I’ve only listened to around half his discography) so it’ll be good to give this one a repeat. “Say Yes” is in my top 100 songs of all time AL: still like I remember it. It’s a very sweet and concise album. But to me “Say Yes” dwarves almost every other track on the album. As it is so good. The rest of the album is incredibly solid though FT: “Say Yes”, “Alameda” 3/5

It was good. There were a few songs that were enjoyable.

Un album très sympathique de la part d'Elliott Smith qui s'est fait connaître en étant écouté à l'avant du bus par Lomepal.

Libérez ltrapèze et robgruyères par pitié

It’s good songwriting, just gets a little one dimensional

L'influence des Beatles est manifeste. Agréable, mais parfois un peu anodin.

"do what you want to whenever you want to" - Speed Trials Otherwise not really my vibe

It's a nice album. Quite chilled and soft. I like his style, but also feel like it tailed off in the second half a bit.

Very low key. Took a while to adjust.

Was an ok album

Weird energy for a Monday

Hygglig platta utan låtar som sticker ut.

first time listening

Figure 8 remains my (subjective) benchmark (in that whilst I was aware of Smith, it was the first album of his that I listened to 'properly'). I'm not going to slight this with faint praise (Cupid's Trick, for instance, is up there with his best), but I couldn't and still quite warm to this. The retrospective gaze always sets a high bar, I suppose

Figure 8 oli parempi levy. Tää levy on enemmän pelkkää kitaraa ja laulua, mutta ei niin iskeviä kappaleita muutamaa lukuunottamatta

it was rainy and cold yesterday, somehow it fit but also made me a bit melancholic

3.5

Either/Or is the third album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. This indie folk rock, Americana, lo-fi, and pop rock album was critically acclaimed at release, but did not chart in any country. It's been certified silver in the UK, and is Elliot Smith's best selling album. The movie Good Will Hunting used three of this album's tracks in its soundtrack and also contracted Elliot to write an original song called "Miss Misery". He would then perform this song at the 1998 Academy Awards where the song was nominated for Best Original Song. Overall, this is a wonderful album of Americana music using a wide variety of popular genres from the late 90's. It was a relaxing and inspiring vibe. Give Either Or a listen if you like folksy/pop/indie rock music.

I swear I had heard this before and wasn't so impressed but actually this is super amazing. Even so, it's not quite my genre, so sadlyl only a 3

Soloalbuum van de singer-songwriter Elliot Smith. Tracklist bestaat uit veelal melancholische nummers. De kwaliteit is goed, maar verder is het album ietwat te somber. leukste nummer: Pictures Of Me De album viel in de smaak bij regisseur Gus Van Sant, waardoor het te horen was op de soundtrack van Good Will Hunting.

it was nice but i’m not sure i’ll listen to it again

Clearly good, just not my scene.

Another good singer/songwriter album - a bit more cheerful than the album of his we had last week, but not by a lot! Not quite as soulful though, and didn't grab me as much as the previous effort did. Feels harsh to only give it a 3, but there we are.

It's nice but unremarkable

Fíla þetta. Þarf að hlusta meira á Elliott.

i wanted to like this more than I did.

This is fine. Maybe not "top 1001" fine, but it's fine.

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Speed trials

This was actually enjoyable, some more upbeat songs with a band, nice indie vibes. However, it's Elliott Smith. You know what you're getting. I enjoyed the listen, but I don't see myself listening again unless I was in the mood.

6/10. Kinda zoned out while listening to it, but I'd give it the benefit of the doubt.

Nice vibe, nice voice. Not much on the album really jumps out though. It's consistently 'alright'

I wanted to like this. I like the genre and had heard about this album over the years. But I put it on while working, and when it was over, nothing had grabbed my attention. Nothing stood out. I listened to it two more times, with some focus on the "hits", and it still didn't click. It's not bad, but I don't see what's special about it either. If I could, I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

Quite a breathy delivery. I liked the idea of the album. I mostly liked the Nick Drake song that came after it, which really caught my attention. 🫠

A really pleasant album which reminded me of similar time-period offerings from Badly Drawn Boy and Sean Lennon. Was sad to read what happened to this artist not long after.

Me gusta la voz y las mezclas en general. Tiene buenas ideas. Es un 3.5 para mi, y lo unico que le juega en contra es la falta de variedad en la instrumentacion.

Elliot Smith.

Easy listening, easy to get caught in the lyrics but quite samey in a lot of the songs.

Not in the mood today. Too slow and melancholy.

S'écoute bien, un bon son tranquille, deuxième album que j'écoute de lui, mais je m'attendais à être un peu plus wow overall avec la réputation du gars.

When I started listening to this today I wondered why I wasn't more of a fan of his when he was still alive. Most of my friends were big fans of his, but I don't know. Maybe I didn't want to get on the Elliott Smith bandwagon. So I was digging his melodies and the whole one-man-band thing, until about four or five songs in and it all started sounding the same to me, and that's when I remembered why I wasn't more of a fan. I can take him a song or two at a time, but as with so many bands/artists, a little goes a long way. But I really do enjoy him. In small doses.

I really need Elliott to stop whispering. It’s a hurdle I just can’t get over and basically ruins his music for me. Still gets a 3 for songwriting.

Good album, Nice to listen to but also nothing too special

This was okay, kinda folk acoustic stuff, just feel that if I wanted to listen to this kind of music I likely wouldn't choose this artist or album

This record was ok. Smith's song writing talent is unmistakable, but it's just a style that I am not super into, so I wouldn't likely listen to this again.

I’ve never been cool enough to ~get~ Elliott Smith

Probably a 3.5 for this list. Good group of moody songs

6,5/10

I feel like I’m watching a Wes Anderson movie…

Was alright, nothing stood out, just seemed like sad boy music

I think this is a good but not great album. Not sure why it/he is considered to be so influential. Definitely liked the update, "rockier" tracks more. My favorite is Cupid's Trick.

Fine but not particularly memorable. I can see how this influenced a lot of indie rock that came afterwards.

The vibes are super chill. I enjoy the vibes. Though, whenever I listen to the lyrics, it sounds like people in a very crappy situation. There wasn't anything that reached out to grab my ear, but I enjoy just cruising along with the album. 6/10

Pretty good. Had never heard anything by him before and it was enjoyable enough

My only prior knowledge of Elliott Smith was his Figure 8 album which came out a couple of years before his death. Either Or is good, but not something I'd actively listen to.

good album. respect the artist, just not my favorite genre.

Elliott could sound sweet and lyrical or morbid and sad, love the former, less certain about the latter. Sad stuff is good if you want a good old wallow.

Depressing

I mean, I’ll be honest, its merit lies in its lyrics. That’s where the album shines.

again i guess this is the birth of modern indie

90's Dad rock. Pretty good album, but not so much of a iconic album illustrative of the genre / era of the time. 3.5/5.

This is so lo-fi it's reeking of dust and musky dead wood smell. I love it. The quality of the guitars, the drums, and the vocals gave it a sincerity and vulnerability that I've always admired with folk. Too bad it's too easy to make this sound boring. It has incredible highlights, but the listening experience as a whole was quite a daze. Perhaps I need a couple of relistens.

Nice songs, really nicely recorded. I'm not quite sure why Elliott Smith has two albums on the must hear list. It's OK... just OK. Strong Beatles influences (which is a good thing) and more than a pinch of Nick Drake. Some good tunes, but a bit same-y. I like the production (acoustic and electric guitars, surprisingly muscular bass, very tasteful organ washes, intimately recorded vocals) and tunes better than the other Elliot Smith album I reviewed.

smooth. nice. not really worth listening but not problem listening to this anytime.

Average. Some tunes might be worth listening to, but I don’t think the minimalist vibe works for me.

Kickball? More like something something

I like Elliot Smith but his music is always the same. Good stuff, mostly.

It’s ok - some potential but a forgettable record overall

Inoffensive

Elliot Smith is able to perfectly balance the folk/Americana sound with indie rock, without making it too whiny or annoying. Speaking about what he knows best he is able to weave his experiences from his hometown coupled with the immense personal struggles he was - and continued - to go through. Best: Pictures Of Me Worst: Alameda

Good roadtrip vibe, emo feel with a little grungy touch.

meh 3/5

This album sound like out of time. Its sound reminds me records from the 60's. I liked it, but I do not appreciate why it is in this list.

I don't know what it is with Elliott Smith and me. I understand why people have this in their favourite album lists, I understand why Elliott is regarded as a very talented songwriter. It just never clicked for me. And have listened to the album 3 times over the last day. But it's all going past me.

Elliott Smith is on paper someone who I should really like, but I've unfortunately never gotten into him much. Lyrically things are great, but for some reason his voice doesn't gel with me. I imagine I have the same reaction to Elliott as many do to Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst. I can see how people would really like him and I want to like him more than I do, but that's where I'm at.

Kjøpte platene den gang da, men fikk aldri helt fot for dem. Hyggelig gjenhør.

Ok

It was alright.

can't get passionate

Elliot Smith is a tragic figure, and this is a good album. Its not an album with a bunch of top 10 songs or any particular earworms or bangers on it, but its an overall very good and very listenable in general. 3/5

This album is okay, very mellow but I appreciate his lyrics. I wish more songs didn’t have the layered vocals, not a huge fan of that sound. But it sounds like so many of the acoustic indie artists that I’ve listened to over the years so it’s easy to see the influence he’s had.

Yeah it’s kinda depressing, but it’s also pretty good. I’d say 3.5 stars, but I’ll round it down.

Not sure why every song is such a bummer.

I enjoyed listening to the songs. I'm just unsure if this needs to be on this list.

There were some good folksy moments but I wasn’t compelled by the lyrics

this was fine i guess?

Lov the build up in “Do it Again” Forgot how much I like this album. Very well written and executed music! Dirty Work was like listening to Chicago, playing so many instruments . Always loved Reeling In the Years- wow what great🎸strumming. well done Steely Dan. .

I’ve had an Elliott Smith album before on here and it exceeded my expectations, much more dynamic than I was expecting. This one didn’t. I’m not a big fan of his whispery tone and had to make a bit of an effort to listen all the way through. Nice enough but a bit too angsty for me.

"Either/Or" is my first exposure to Elliott Smith's music. It's an unfussy-sounding album that's less concerned with pristine production or technical skill than it is about conveying mood, atmosphere and sentiment. I'm very happy with this approach: the stripped back style (often just acoustic guitar and spidery-thin vocals) works to the credit of much of the material. Paradoxically, it was the more filled out, upbeat tracks that felt a bit lacking for me. "Speed Trials", "Cupid's Trick" and "Pictures of Me" felt a little too beige: fairly standard 90's bedroom rock that didn't quite feel suited to Smith's voice, lyrical talents or aesthetic. When he took the simplicity in another direction, the ballads he's perhaps more known for, I was much more taken in. In general, the second half of the album kicked things up to another gear on this front, with some lovely melodies blossoming and finding beauty in simplicity. "Say Yes" is absolutely lovely: its genuine earnestness redeeming it from what might otherwise be cliched progression and melody. It's the sweetest tune here and worth sticking out the album for. Elsewhere in the back half, some similarly tuneful offerings stood out to me: "Rose Parade" is the Magnetic Fields song I never knew I needed, and "Angeles" manages to do a lot with a little. The guitar playing is often deceptively complex (take the speed and precision of "Angeles", or use of open-tuning to augment some of the chord structures- a little Nick Drake-y in this regard). Even though a lot of the chord progressions don't break the bank, they can also mask a deeper complexity. The meandering and sprawling "Alameda" is good for keeping a listener guessing, even if it does seem a little unfocused. On paper, Smith's music is everything I really like but I haven't managed to connect with a lot of the tracks after a few listens: it's been enough to show me there's something in them, so I'm keen to keep trying.

While I think I prefer the larger production and uptempo feel of 'Figure Eight,' this LP offers a collection of beautiful, small-scale tracks that highlight Elliot's penchant for simple but poignant songwriting.

Weer een bekende naam, waar ik nooit echt naar geluisterd heb. Best leuk, maar verwacht het niet vaker te gaan draaien.

Goeie plaat. En Ballad of Big Nothing is een van mijn favoriete tracks.

Elliott Smith is bij mij nooit echt geland. Wel een paar erg mooie nummers maar het geheel is me toch iets te ielig en lijzig.

Wel mooi. Lijkt we op veel andere dingen.

Okay, so everyone is right... It's just lovely and heartbreaking and he's clearly a genius but... It was all quite tonally meh, everything is chugging away at about the same speed and it left me a little, not bored, but easily distracted from what is clearly the work of a genius, but one which could use a better producer? The last couple of tracks (2:45 and possibly Say Yes?) Are the best of the bunch, and the first point I started listening intently.

meh

31st March 2022 Listened in the front room while working. Drove home with mum in the evening through a snow storm and chatted investing. Not bad, but feel like he’s been posthumously inflated.

Obviously it's absolutely beautiful; just very sparse

Easy listening

Driving to the airport with my mom a few years ago, I heard Oliver Nelson and Eric Dolphy's "Images" for the first time. That tune features melodies in stereo, half a step apart. Even on the highway, the effect was striking. Either/Or created a similar feeling at times with its double-tracking, emotional instead of intellectual. On top, earworm potential galore. There are also plenty of things I like: Moving guitar lines (especially low ones), a hint of dream noise. It's a bit grab baggy, though the last two tracks are exceptionally strong.

3 i guess, it was fine

Good singer. Another States-type singer of many

Solid meh.

I can only relisten to an album so many times trying to work out if I like it. Sorry Elliott you've had multiple chances now.

Is there a homelier elitist troth stronger that Elliot fans? Tragedy aside, it’s enjoyable but a little lackluster

Better than previous ES album

Op zich wel aardige muziek. Lekker op de achtergrond, maar het maakt me niet echt nieuwsgierig naar meer. ***

Schöner Singer Songwriter, aber ich merke dass ich dem im Rahmen des Projekts nicht die Aufmerksamkeit geben kann die es vllt verdient, gerade auf lyrischer Ebene. Musikalisch ist das nett aber jetzt auch nicht super krass beim 1st listen, deswegen muss da irgendwo mehr drin stecken, bin noch nicht durch hiermit!

A sad, soft album. I liked that it never screamed at me about the things it was trying to say, just let the lyrics and his soft-spoken voice do the job. A pleasant listen that I think will grow on me more with age.

Considered a classic album and one of the best of its decade. I however have a hard time loving it as much as other people. I find it easy to listen to and it sounds nice but I’m not quite able to grasp what truly makes this so much better other than it’s a bit more emotional and melancholy. Still good though. 6.6/10

passed me by first time round - all good and fine though no massive breakthrough tracks

It remembered me some moods by Lennon.

Not awful.

It was ok but I didn’t hear a standout song. I thought a lot of it blended together. It was musically good and could appreciate his skills but it didn’t grab me.

Boring and calm. At least not terrible

An nice, easy listen. However, the tracks really all sound the same.

First time Listen of this and see the links with Lo-Fi and the alt/indie stuff. a little dour for me but some interesting tunes including "Speed Trials" "Angeles" and "Say Yes" are all good songs in my opinion. Not on my list but interesting stuff.

The real ball-breaker to this album is when it ends and another Elliott Smith song comes on, invariably with noticeably more energy than these droopy acoustics. 5/10

songs for easy listening

Wasn't particularly overwhelmed by this, but it was okay. The songs were catchy and pleasant to listen to.

Boring.

Its not bad if you're in that sorta mood

Not my speed

Was kind of forgettable

3.5 | Tiene un punto brillante y es que sabe cuando detenerse antes de que el disco se comience a sentir pesado y demasiado repetitivo. No tenía mucho conocimiento ni de las canciones ni del artista y aunque me deja un buen sabor de boca tampoco impresionó demasiado. Las letras muy muy buenas, canciones muy bien escritas. Las letras a menudo evocan imágenes, texturas y situaciones muy específicas. Y, sin embargo, al igual que con muchos compositores verdaderamente grandes, utilizó esta especificidad como una forma de explorar temas emocionales que resuenan profunda y ampliamente. No son canciones de amor, exactamente, pero tampoco son solamente, como pudiera parecer cancioens sobre adicción, exactamente. Trata sobre las formas en que proteger a alguien que amas se convierte en la necesidad de controlar a esa persona. El hecho de que fuera capaz de incorporar tanta complejidad emocional en una canción que suena como si nada en un Starbucks habla de su don como compositor. Lo que le baja un poco es que, aunque se entiende y cuadra un poco la idea de mantener todo demasiado simple y hacia el lo-fi, me hubiera gustado que presentara un poco de máyor complejidad musical o producción. Tiene partes que me agradan mucho y partes que suenan demasiado genéricas. A pesar de lo que me agradaron sus canciones por lírica, su música ronda entre los puntos de buena/adecuada y repetitiva.

Pues bonita música noventera, así con sus onda de ansiedad y melancolía y todo eso, pero no hubo un momento que destacara o me hiciera voltear a ver el título de la rola. Y eso que le di sus tres vueltas.

Surullinen mies ja kitara-musan paremmasta päästä. Herkkä levy.

Very lo-fi, subdued. Weird sentence but I feel like this record and Liz Phair's "Exile In Guyville" are two sides of the same coin: very singer-songwriter, earnest. I liked a lot of the recording tricks found on here, all seem very made-with-love, for lack of a better phrase. Favorite tracks: "Rose Parade", "Cupids Trick", "2:45 AM"

Absolutely not what I was expecting. Went in thinking it would be pop-punk, instead it was like calming folk? Didn't realise the album had ended and shuffled on to something else, so was easy listening, but wouldn't go out of my way for it again.

It fades to the background quite well. Not to say I didn't enjoy it. I particularly enjoyed the last tracks. When first hearing 'Cupids Trick' I thought it was finally picking up a bit, but was disappointed it took until the 3rd to last track to do so. There are a couple of tracks that I added to my always-on playlist on Spotify, but I shan't be listening to the whole album again. Solid 3/5.

Not his best album

I understand why people love or hate Elliott Smith. Its dreary and a tad depressing but I always enjoy his music.

Lovely album but very 1 dimensional

Some cool songs, and I sued to love this album. On listening to it now I just wasn't interested, and it does seem quite one dimensional and samey.

I’m not moody enough for this on the regular, but maybe with winter coming up, maybe

Well. It was absolutely OK background music. Didn't sound bad at all. But not interesting at all in any way. Just some regular melancholic singer/songwriter fare.

Typical indie stuff really. Personally not my thing as I'd prefer something more upbeat, but this grew on me a bit on a second listen through.

Lotta whispering. Recognized the popular song though

This album is fine. Enjoyable enough. I don’t find anything particularly noteworthy here. Elliott’s voice is fine too. Nothing spectacular.

Ok listen

“Either/Or” by Elliott Smith (1997) Can a guy with a very bad voice sing well? This album comes as close as possible to answering that question in the affirmative. Elliott Smith has such a quiet and airy voice, yet he’s still able to sustain each strangely selected pitch. And that’s not all. Unconventional melodies predominate, and the listener is continually wondering if the next chord will be another one that he/she will be unable to identify. This is a radically uncommercial product. And it’s mesmerizing. Singer/songwriter/multiple instrumentalist Elliott Smith puts together a fascinating product. And he basically did it all himself. He plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals, with just a bit of help on mixing and mastering. He sounds comfortable with his whispering voice. And there’s a very cozy relationship between lyrics, melody, voice, and acoustic guitar. I almost feel like I’m invading his personal space. And it’s a pretty sad space. This is pure studio music. I can’t imagine hearing this in a concert. I also can’t imagine this music being performed by a group. It’s too idiosyncratic. But it is strangely musical. It’s not for the casual listener. The album is not one to listen to while working or even driving. It’s too densely complex. From Wikipedia: The album's title derives from the Søren Kierkegaard book of the same name, in which "either/or" refers to the contrast between aesthetic/subjective experience and ethical/objective. And from Kierkegaard’s text: “What is a poet? An unhappy man who hides deep anguish in his heart, but whose lips are so formed that when the sigh and cry pass through them, it sounds like lovely music…. And people flock around the poet and say: ‘Sing again soon’ – that is, ‘May new sufferings torment your soul but your lips be fashioned as before, for the cry would only frighten us, but the music, that is blissful.” I may need to consult a philosopher to analyze this message. But as for “Either/Or”, I choose both. 3/5

Alright, but forgettable

Very laid back indie rock. Not super into it.

Either utterly forgettable or great for the background.

3.5 - Sorry, my last couple of CDs have been 4 or 5, this doesn't make the cut.

Nothing bad just didn't really get into it.

2nd Elliot Smith Album I have listened to and it felt very much the same. Good instrumentals but the vocals lack range making each song sound too similar.

I wanted to give this more than 3 stars, but could barely justify even that. Maybe with more listens and a closer attention to the lyrics I'd appreciate it more, but it ended up being too easy to ignore.

Me gustó lo acústico, no le presté atención a las letras pero fue entretenido de escuchar

kinda boring, but good to do work to

Slow indie rock. Not my jam, still had a couple of good tracks.

Immediately hearing Sufjan Stevens. Also, not something I’m into right now. I can see putting this on just out of high school, while drinking with a friend or two and getting ready to watch an art film.

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Alameda, Cupids Trick, 2:45 AM, Say Yes Cutting Edge: Speed Trials, Between the Bars Overall Notes: I'm not singer-songwriter depressed, I'm more twitchy guitar/drums depressed.

Melancholy, pop/folk gained momentum towards the end of the album

Not bad, very mellow.

Good Will Hunting discover....

Not too bad

I wasn’t familiar with Elliott Smith. I initially liked the simple, almost grungy sound. But it was a little too consistently whispery and depressing for me to deeply enjoy it.

I don't think I've really ever listened to Elliott Smith, but somehow I found it kind of nostalgic, it was pleasant I felt like I kind of drifted through the album

I've heard this before but it's never stuck. The songwriting is obviously good but the lo-fi sound doesn't grab me

Un tanto lineal. Buena voz, pero no destacaría especialmente

A calm and introspective album with some very good songs in it. I didn't know anything about Elliott Smith, but his songs sound like a good remember of the simplest teenage years, including all the teenage problems.

Un poco rollo. Le doy un 3 porque me gusta la música de este estilo.

Estilo tranquilo, melancólico y un poco grunge. Buena voz. Mola

Nice vibe

These all feel like they should be on the Garden State soundtrack. It was a decent listen but I didn't hear anything that blew me away.

A great melodramatic indie album for anyone in a melancholy mood looking for sad songs. The album is just shy of 37min, making it the shortest album I've listened to on this list so far. Smith's singing and song composition keep each track as interesting as the last, however some of the songs sounded very similar to each other, which made immersion difficult. Overall, I would say that I enjoyed this album and would listen again if the mood was right.

A little bland. Very college rock. Some songs reminded me of Rilo Kiley. I could see how this influenced early 2000s indie rock.

Chill AF. Not bad, nothing I'll listen to again.

Mellow and kinda boring. Not terrible, but I doubt I'll listen again.

2 songs waren nice - 3

It's got a solid mood and vibe throughout. Not exactly my preferred style but I enjoyed it a bit. Found the lyrics a bit hit or miss. 6/10?

i remember when he died, and a lot of people were really broken up about it, but i didn't know anything about him, so i felt bad for not feeling bad. i get that he had some massive talent, but this one just kinda left me cold.

Emotionless boring whisper singing in the fashion of Garfunkel just really kind of Ech.

Huh. I’m shocked by how much I like some of this. I’ve been chasing the feeling that I got from his song at the end of Good Will Hunting since I first saw it. Don’t think it’s possible to get that again.

Slow, broody dreamy vocals. Sad chill out vibes. Quite liked “Pictures of me”

Glad I got to dig into this one finally. Sleepy, but good.

Ehh

Not bad, some good tunes

I can see the influence, and quality in this. Something about it failing to connect for me. Too gloomy, and doomed.

Väldigt life is strangeit. Helt ok amerikansk vispop, inte riktigt min genre, och inte mini typ av sångröst.

Enjoyable. Not going to rush back to it, but won't be opposed to listening again.

@@@. strong indie vibes, some good tracks.

A little emo for my taste.

This was good. I really like Elliott smith from his good will hunting days and this is during the same time.

2.9

Favorites: Alameda, Ballad of Big Nothing

Disco de baladinhas agradáveis. Voz dele é muito suave e combina bem com as canções. Entre elas, destaquei "Between the Bars" pela letra genial (álcool falando pro alcoólatra) e a lindíssima "Say Yes"

I can definitely see why ES is fantastic and a legendary artist, however his work hasn't really clicked with me yet

Ok. Chill indie rock. Doesn't seem to stand out in first few songs.

3