Either Or

I've listened to this album a lot because Tim loves it. I don't think it was great for a Monday morning, more a Sunday evening kind of vibe. I have enjoyed this album in the past but I felt like too many of the songs were similar to eachother. Elliott Smith makes me feel a bit sad. If I want to be listening to a great male song writer and feeling sad I'd go for Nick Drake.

Tried so many times to get into Elliott over the years. Some lovely melodies. But I'm really not into that kind of soft, whiny male vocal.

Amazing how this can be such powerful stuff sang in a very quiet way - he was an incredible talent troubled by his past which comes across in his music. A good listen.

I had no knowledge of Elliott Smith prior to this. I am sure that I had heard of him - but I had no idea of genre or sound. I liked it. Didn’t love it.

I'm always afraid that I'll become overly melancholy when I listen to Elliott Smith. So I have this subconscious hesitation. Maybe without that I'd really appreciate more? Not that I don't appreciate it.

Please use your inside voice when singing about depression. 5/10

I've heard about this one before. I was quite surprised to discover that such a relaxed sound belongs to one of the coolest dang album covers I've seen in my life - I was half expecting this album to be grunge or sludge metal going in. The first half is quite good, but those remaining tracks pump the brakes and blend together a little too much for my liking. I've listened to this one twice now, and I'm inclined to give it more listens down the road. It was a good time all around.

Pleasant Sunday morning listening without especially feeling I need to investigate further, and two on the list is surely one too many.

Liked this album. Quite soft and nice dinner party music 7/10

Entweder nöd schlecht oder nöd guet? Sowohl als auch wohl eher. Also neue albumsnamevorschlag ‚as well as‘. Akustisch isch das Album a mir verbigseglet wie es Segelflugzüg lokale vom Flugplatz. Ein modernes Segelflugzeug hat eine Gleitzahl von über 40. Das heisst, mit 1000 Metern Höhe kommt man 40 Kilometer weit. Hochleistungsflugzeuge weisen sogar Gleitzahlen von 60 und mehr auf. Segelflugzeuge fliegen mit einer Geschwindigkeit von über 100 km/h. Das „Benzin“ für Segelflieger ist also die Höhe, die sie abgleiten können. Die umweltfeundlichen „Tankstellen“ sind Aufwinde, in denen das Segelflugzeug aufsteigt. Darum 3 Propeller fürs segelflugzüg, demits in zuekunft na biz meh power hed

Inoffensive. Just not the kind of music I particularly enjoy.

3.5

Interesting music. Always like hearing something different.

Nice melodies and lyrics. Quiet. A bit underwhelming. I know he was very popular and the soundtrack of many peoples lives who grew up in the 90s but I was busy parenting then.

A good album but I think I liked Figure 8 better. Definitely giving me Brendan Benson and Pete Yorn vibes again, his higher falsetto vocals especially stood out this time. He changes up his chords and tempo across songs and yet it felt a little repetitive to me. Maybe the first four songs are more varied and then later songs start to repeat some of the earlier formulas. I'd say my favorite tracks were Ballad of Big Nothing, Pictures of Me, Rose Parade, and Say Yes. If a few of the tracks didn't appear in Good Will Hunting would he or this album be as revered? I still like him as an artist, but this album is around 3.5. And I'm going to distinguish my rating from Figure 8.

Over the years, several people have tried to get me to like Elliott Smith, most recently my teenage daughter. Lately I've taken to saying to her, "Stop trying to make Elliott Smith a thing!" Well, I tried to give this album a fair chance and what it primarily did was cement my prior perceptions. First, let's start with his whispery singing style. I think that's one of the big barriers to me enjoying it - I think his singing is just not that engaging. Then there's the somewhat amateurish recording style. Some view it as immediacy - we just had Nick Drake's Pink Moon, which sounded like you were sitting right next to him, but Drake's songwriting (and singing) were just so much more engaging than Smith. The drums have a very acoustic, non-processed sound, which could be good, but adds to the amateurish sound of the album. It would also be nice if he'd vary the tempo once in a while. I swear almost every song has the exact same tempo. Basically left me very bored. Positives: Decent lyrics through most of the tracks and I appreciate his guitar playing. Favorite Tracks: Alameda, Pictures of Me (Beatles-ish - genius.com says more Zombies-ish. Either way, 60s Brit sound), No Name No. 5 (dragged a little in the beginning, but I really like the open tuning chords, and picks up energy at around 2 minutes), Rose Parade (the first song that didn't have whispery singing), Cupid's Trick (pretty much the only rocking song on the album). After I told my daughter I was going to give this album a 3, she first called me an "opp" and then said "you would probably like XO better." I decided I should give it a chance - the girl has been very open minded re: music I like, so much so that she's apparently now a Rush fan and was blown away by seeing BEAT (King Crimson) in concert. So, I figured I should give it a chance since she recommended it (and it's not in the 1001). The recording quality and the songwriting are so much better than Either/Or. More varied styles (and instrumentation), better vocal quality (less whispery, although certainly similar). Favorite tracks: Sweet Adeline (opening track and my reaction was this song is better than pretty much anything on Either/Or), Waltz #2 (excellent song with powerful lyrics and a driving rhythm), Baby Britain (fun sounding song w/ shades of Penny Lane and good lyrics), Waltz #1 (I like the vibe), Amity, A Question Mark, Everybody Cares Everybody Understands (particularly the powerful ending). I'd give XO a 4, so too bad it's not in the 1001.

i've tried many times over the years to like elliott smith but i always find that, even though i like many individual songs and love a select few, listening to full albums mostly feels repetitive and sleepy

Indie folk, acoustic guitars, a bit of a dark mood, and all throughout this album. I've heard worse, but definitely nothing I would care to listen to again.

6.5/10. A little slow for me but pretty close to unplugged material I like. Track 1 and 2 are very strong

Always liked Elliot Smith without really being able to narrow down why. His sound feels stripped and reflective, as if a soundtrack to inner monologues.

Didn't hit the spot. 2.5/5

Good album

uii was passiert bei Alameda harmonisch, sehr geil! Das Album hat einen angenehmen chilligen vibe und ist trotzdem nicht ganz uninteressant. Es haut mich nicht komplett vom Hocker, aber ich mag es und habe es zu meiner Mediathek hinzugefügt;)

Millenial emo music that all sounds the same. Tough getting this album the day after Kendrick dropped GNX. 3/5

En weer speelt de vraag of we smaak of kwaliteit raten. Ook dit album zet ik zelf niet graag een tweede keer op. Maar het zit wel prima in elkaar. Deze keer laat ik mijn smaak zwaarder meespelen. Ik ben het album op een gegeven moment echt wel zat. Het is me teveel van hetzelfde, er zitten teveel lege pop-klanken in. Rond ik deze maar naar beneden af. Zie je ook gelijk het verschil met het vorige album. Alles is relatief.

Some great songs from the good will hunting soundtrack

His voice was pretty and I would say some old school vibes with it

90's coffee shop vibes. kinda bland.

Boring, good music but boring to me

A bit boring

Ahead of its time

Didn't mind it, right mood to listen but a bit dull

Not uninteresting. Kind of unusual for that period.

I realized that I like a few of Elliott's songs but not all of them, was really surprised and feeling sort of like a heretic.

aggressively fine. even with the bonus star for BETWEEN THE BARS it still runs a 3.

I liked this more than I expected, but not as much as I wanted. I think it will need another listen to actually appreciate it. It might be much more interesting, or it may turn out to be utterly boring.

its alright not bad not the worst i give it 3 out 5 because dont really like sad songs. i like the beat the voice and thats it really.

3- Stars (7/15)

Music kinda catchy - but some missed explicit

Low key and never really hits any highs

Thankfully it’s only 37 minutes then I was able to move on…

A little to monotone for me

This is an ok album that transports emotions but the singing style and the instrumentation isn't as interesting on album length. Yet another entry on this list of an album that is good in principle but nothing I need to listen to before I die.

Beautiful bittersweet acoustic songs that I find a bit too sad.

Same as the other one, sad and sleepy. 3/5

Nice to have in the background. Many songs felt like they could be in a 2000s teen rom com

Lovely, soothing voice. I’m between a 3 and a 4, but honestly a lot of the songs didn’t do much for me. Favorites: “Between The Bars”, “Pictures Of Me”, “Angeles”, “Cupid’s Trick”

Not quite in a low enough state to really immerse myself in Elliott Smith rn.

“If I’m gonna be sad, y’all gonna be sad.”

I enjoyed a few songs, but ultimately grew very tired of his singing style. The melodies and background music to his songs were enjoyable and for the most songs I didn’t know where one ended and the next started. I think his voice style of whisper singing just isn’t for me.

this is definitely end of the night sadness album

Good one but a bit mellow. Nice sound though

Very mellow easy listening.

Nice and chill, probably a 3.5

Lovely singer-songwriter album with smart lyrics. “Rose Parade” was a standout track for me. And when Elliott Smith injects more rock into his music — like on “Cupid’s Trick” — the result is pretty potent. I’d love to hear more rock-leaning stuff from him. I could see myself really liking this album with more listens.

3.5

The Superbowl for depressed people who spend lots of time on the internet. It’s alright, there’s instances of good storytelling, a clear ability to inject his personality into the songs. I think this is sadly a case of the albums aura being heightened by the context of its artist. Soft 3

I like the instrumentation and the lyrics were interesting.

An interesting album - completely indifferent to some tracks yet some really leapt out. Standouts include Ballad of Big Nothing, Rose Parade and Cupid's Trick. Worth mentioning that I can definitely hear his influence in others - reminds me of Flyte in places and Jeffrey Lewis in others. Will check out his other albums. 6/10.

Whisper rock. Only liked a few tracks.

1st time listening 7/10

pretty chill but i also might have fallen asleep

It's pleasant but didn't grab my attention

Sounds very airy, could be the drum sound with the cymbals. Nice not as down as I thought it was going to be

Speed Trials 3.3 Alameda 3.6 Ballad of Big Nothing 3.5 Between the Bars 3.3 Pictures of Me 3.4 No Name No. 5 3.2 Rose Parade 3.4 Punch and Judy 3.2 Angeles 3 Cupid's Trick 3.3 2:45 AM 3.2 Say Yes 3.1 Score: 3.291666667

Not the biggest fan of the whisper singing but the album started out great, the songs near the end all kinda blended together. A little too melancholic unless you’re in the mood

Not much of a fan of the softer end of his range. Somewhat enjoyed the album overall though.

I think I like the idea of Elliott Smith more than the reality. When he gets it right it's perfect (Behind The Bars, Say Yes and especially Angeles) but the whole record doesn't really hit those heights for me.

Couldn't take all of the sad yesterday. It was an okay album.

Casual listening was nice background music for work

All I could hear is Good Will Hunting..

Fine for background music but kinda forgettable.

An artist I’ve never really explored properly although a friend bought me XO on vinyl a few years ago in an attempt to get me into him. This was good but not great, I’d need to listen again to see if anything hits me on second play, I feel like I want to like it

Started well but not quite the undiscovered gem I was hoping for. Undiscovered by me, that is, I hadn't heard of him. Some nice Beatles, Blur, Radiohead stuff going on with a bit of his native USA folk. Sorry that he died so young. But it didn't stand out to me.

Kinda boring but I liked some songs.

Good 90's emo/alternative album, but I expected much more given how popular this album is.

I can understand why people like this and why it’s still a well-loved album. I think had I tried listening to this 20 years ago, I would’ve liked it, but as it stands now, I’m not really into this singer songwriter thing very much anymore.

It's alright. It gets a bit repetitive at times.

Didn't get the hype to be honest

Meh. 90s whine-rock.

This felt a little like a Ballad of Big Nothing.

Better than the last Elliot Smith album I got on here, but just not for me.

Music like this is nice but it’s too melancholy for me - 2.5 However - <3 between the bars <3 love at first listen. 4/5 Also, say yes is really lovely.

This was decent, but cant fathom listening to him again.

Emotional, and the lofi production makes it personal on a level. However it feels a bit samey at moments, and sometimes a bit whiney.

The sound is pretty interesting, it's kind of a mixture of folk rock and '90s indie/alternative. But the lyrics on most songs are either really vague (I don't want to do poetry analysis when I'm just listening to a song) or really sad, or both. Not like sad and romantic or aesthetic, but just everyday depressing topics. Why would people listen to music like this? Music is supposed to be a way to either escape or process your feelings, or at least romanticize them. Just making the lyrics extra metaphorical doesn't count.

Please Elliott, you're bumming me out man

A little bit bland, but has a couple of interesting tunes. 6/10

Portland boy!

Was just OK. Maybe it's more of a grower. It didnt grab me on the first listen. I'll come back to it in the future for a 2nd listen but for now this would be a 2.5/3 for me.

3.5

July 26, 2024 HL: “Between the Bars”, “Pictures of Me”, “Speed Trials”, “Say Yes” One of those albums I feel like I should enjoy more than I do. Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers was a favourite a few years ago, and it’s clearly inspired by Elliott Smith. That isn’t to say he doesn’t strike a chord from time to time, particularly in songs from his later albums (“Waltz No. 2”) but Either/Or’s honest, conversational lyrics come with songs that aren’t as remarkable to me.

This was perfectly fine, but it didn't really grab me. 3.2

I know that Elliott Smith is a corner stone in the mopey xennial scene, but It just didn't grab me.

This fella can whisper like no other. I find it hard to pick out any standouts, but I do feel that I'm gonna be revisiting this one a little further down the line.

I knew more about the lore of his death than his music going into this. First listen, I was distracted by the production. Whisper vocals, insanely loud snare and overpowering guitar tone. Luckily I was stuck on a flight without wifi and had this downloaded so I listened to it 3 times. Each listen, I appreciated it a little bit more.

Whispering, soft, sad, prolonged. Interesting little moments but generally pretty samey introspective songstering. Can see why he has a cult following with 12 year old girls and slightly wet moody male teenagers. Nevertheless, good in places.

Pretty nice, will grow on.me

While the harmonies are pretty and the whole thing just drips in melancholy lovey dovey talk, it is simply not a place that my head can get to. Maybe when i was in high school or in some darker times in college, but not today. Still, I get the appeal.

There isn't anything I dislike strongly in this album, but I just couldn't get over how whiny it is. I understand it is supposed to be a sad album, and that Elliott Smith truly struggled in life. I don't mean to undermine that - I might just not have been in the mood for this kind of music. It felt very forgettable and I wasn't able to focus on any song in particular.

Angeles

I know most of his work is on the softer side usually, but on this album the loudest songs are my fave. Pictures of Me and Cupids Trick. But Say Yes is also great.

Extraordinario la cara de delincuente que tiene este hombre y como la musica que hace no se correlaciona ni un poco con su aspecto fisico. Say yes mi tema fav. Album muy chill y lindo para escuchar en el contexto en el que lo hice (estudiando) como con Different class, le daria un 3.5 pero no esta la opcion, tampoco creo que merezca un 4.

Liked Figure8 a bit more. This has never been my goto genre. His songwriting is great but there isn't enough meat on the bone

This album seems super sad. The vocals remind me of the whinier Jack Johnson songs. I didn’t love Either Or but didn’t hate it.

I couldn’t get excited about this one.

I found this one quite relaxing and enjoyable, some tracks were a little slow but I found “Pictures of Me” to actually be quite exciting. Very nice instrumentals and clever lyrics.

Easy decision to rate 3 stars or C. Nothing great but nothing bad just an okay set of songs.

A bit Badley Drawn Boyish. Pleasant.

Never heard of him....or didn't know he was the sound track to Good Will Hunting. Was good. Sounded like the Plain White T's.....chill folky acousticy backgroundy stuff.

I'm not really big on sad boy stuff. This does seem like the better of it though Will I listen to again: 25%

Ok, ça fait 4 jours que je l’ai écouté, messemble que c’était bon

Album de tono muy chill. Tranquilo, melodías de guitarra bonitas de escuchar, voz muy relajada y tranquila, por lo que para ponerse de fondo mientras haces otra cosa está genial. Por lo demás si bien es agradable, no es muy llamativo ni sobresale en nada en especial

Can't say I'm familiar with Elliott Smith. Immediately noticeable was the very subdued and somber delivery, almost like a whisper. It certainly matches the album's common theme too. The short run time (sub 40 min) allows for easily repeatable listens, though, and that allowed me to appreciate the content a tad more. I can see how this album (and artist) inspired some of the current lo-fi indie artists and acts. Still a little too subdued for me to get really immersed in at the end of the day, but I'm at least curious enough to check out Smith's other singles and work. Apparently he was featured quite a bit in the 1997 box office hit "Good Will Hunting", a movie I'm quite fond of. Guess that warrants a rewatch!

If this record didn't remind me so much of Good Will Hunting, I might view it differently. However, since it does, it's hard to separate the two and how much I truly love that movie. While bleak and melancholic, I still enjoyed this album.

Easy listening.

A decent, if largely unmemorable, experience.

Heatmiester was an unremarkable band. Not sure if Elliot Smith discovered Nick Drake or what happened but he was definitly much better as a singer songwriter. Unfortunatly this made every guy in every aggro 80/90s band think they could do it too.

Mediocre

Kinda slow and sad... It's okay, but probably wouldn't listen again. Fave song "Say Yes" 3/5

Pleasant but not memorable.

Weird vocals, sounded like they were recorded under water.

I’m sure this was sort of novel at the time but not really all that special. Not bad though

01) Speed Trials - 8,0 02) Alameda - 7,0 03) Ballad of Big Nothing - 7,5 04) Between the Bars - 7,5 05) Pictures of Me - 7,0 06) No Name No. 5 - 7,0 07) Rose Parade - 7,5 08) Punch and Judy - 7,0 09) Angeles - 7,0 10) Cupid's Trick - 7,0 11) 2:45 AM - 7,0 12) Say Yes - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,21 (72/100) To me, this sounds like more or less the same song 12 times in a row. Nice song, but again, the same song...

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

Interesting album. Sounds like post grunge.

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

Listened Before? N Mellow and laid-back. Probably before it's time as a lo-fi hipsterish album before those things became cool. A hipster to out hipster the hipsters. I enjoyed it, but nothing really stood out. I'll repeat what I said about "Super 8": Sounds like the soundtrack to an indie movie. I'll listen a second time and see how I feel but for now, a solid 3. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Angeles

Schönes, angenehmes Album, dass mich aber nicht vom Hocker Haut. Hinterließ keinen bleibenden Eindruck.

Sad but pretty good

Many of the songs on the album are good, but they’re not great. And the songwriting quality falls a little by the end. I guess I’ll revisit the album in the winter, cause there is something good going on here, but I’m not quite in the mood for it

Kände inte till honom sen tidigare och när jag läste om hans spektakulära död så ville man ju gilla detta. Även om det är bra så lyfter det tyvärr dock aldrig riktigt för mig. Hans röst fångar inte mig och det blir lite mellanmjölkigt hela vägen. Klar trea dock.

Very pretty and chill

Good, but why he whispering all the time?

Like other one in 1001 list. did not hate it, did not love is, just another album of the 1.000.000.000 on this earth. In a good mood, so 3 stars

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

chill

It was fine

Nice.

In general this was a pretty decent album.

Passabler Indie Rock.

It’s fine, but not as profound as I think it is for others.

It's fine I guess

Ok

Not as good as I remember it but still pretty darn solid. A nice album to sit and ponder listening to. It does blend together, but that's not too bad because the base is really quite good Fav songs: - Ballad of Big Nothing - Between the Bars - Angeles - Cupids Trick

Perfectly fine album, nice and short. Made me a bit sleepy.

First impression of the album cover is that he looks like a young Alex Ovechkin. This was alright easy indie listening, but not my jaunt.

Oh man is this about to be sad af? Love needle in the hay by him but I'm not ready for sad music on a beautiful day like today. Really digging Alameda. Some of the guitar picking in it is top notch. The rest is kinda background as I was working. Some beautiful stuff in here no doubt but nothing that's crazy good to me.

Not bad, had a good vibe. I could listen again, but would need to be in the mood.

3/5 Heard many times, just don't get into it too much. Couple good songs....

Schön zum nebenbei hören.

Appreciated/Endured

Another album where the artist was new to me and another case where they died tragically young. This is very much in the vein of 60s singer/songwriters but some of the lyrics are definitely something that wouldn’t have appeared in those days. By all accounts this was more of a hit after Smith’s passing, making some of these songs sound very poignant.

New discovery for me. I like the voice, and the music is for sure not bad, but all in all a bit monotonous.

Either/Or (Elliot Smith) 1. Between the Bars 2. Ballad of Big Nothing 3. Say Yes 4. Angeles 5. 2:45 Am 6. Pictures of Me 7. Alameda 8. Punch and Judy 9. Cupids Trick 10. No Name No. 5 11. Rose Parade 12. Speed Trials

Angenehm zu höhren. erinnert mich manchmal ein wenig an die Beatles.

Somber, melancholic and calm. Very subdued singing and music that makes for a sometimes eerie effect. Beautiful compositions and melodies.

Balladen, teilw. ok

Some of this sounded familiar, and after reading the wiki info about some songs being featured on the “Good Will Hunting” soundtrack, I understand why. It also has a similar feel to some of the Shins music on the “Garden State” soundtrack. It was a relaxing listen, but the second half kind of seemed one note to me. I enjoyed Figure 8 better. 2.75/5 rounding up.

Nice listen. I think I liked this better than figure 8. Will save this one for next time I need a good cry with some sad music in the background.

Pretty good and I thought I was going to revisit over the weekend. I didn’t. And didn’t really feel compelled to do so. Maybe I just don’t get his genius. [shrug emoji] 3.25/5

Обаятельный Depression lo-fi но не выдающийся к сожалению. На данный момент неплохой середняк

1st half was better. Emo solo dude with some british pop/indie rock sounds Least faves: Cupids trick, Angeles Fave: Ballad of Big Nothing (i’d heard this before)

Accomplished songwriting, just not quite my cup of tea.

Enjoyed this, not as melancholy as I was hoping for.

I enjoy Smith's voice and the multi players vocals throughout which, along with the acoustic guitar and occasional drums, give the album an ephemeral feeling. Wish I could give it a 3.5, but alas a 3 it is.

It's all a bit sad - I think I am not really in the mood to be honest. I am sleep and want some fun tunes. Kinda sad boi but all a bit samey? Not sure - just not feeling it I guess

Either this is lovely late night melancholia or it is indulgent sad boy guitar wankery. Probably both - all a bit samey, I'm generally too positive a person to love this stuff, but nor do I hate it

very beautiful voice in a shallow packaging.

6/10 - It was pretty good. The chill vibe was nice but nothing major stood out to me.

Acoustic folk rock, acoustic guitar and subtle drums to reveal whisperry, quiet vocals with his own vocal harmonies. Hints of Nirvana's unplugged session, and CSNY, and some Beatles vocal harmonies. Between the Bars reminds me of Zombie by the Cranberries.

Ok album

-it feels like an exact replica/product of its time. As if it captured that late 90s nostalgia perfectly, where they can’t exactly sing but also can’t not sing -there is a specific 90s film I would bet my life these are in cause it invokes the feel of watching -it feels intentionally peeled back and watered down/raw about it, it just feels very human -When Bon Jovi said “All I have is this guitar, these chords and my truth” he was reviewing this album

This must be what all those emo sad boys that fueled the early 2000s must have listened to in high school alone in their rooms as they cried alone at night. This album seems to be a perfect bridge between grunge and emo rock but still carves out a very haunting minimalist sound all its own. I dig it, but there are some limitations to the style of music and it can get old pretty fast. Still I can always appreciate another bleeding heart sad boi.

Sad and mid

Not a bad album. The songs blend together and aren't super distinct but they have a nice, indie sound. I likely won't listen to it again but all in all not bad. 3/5.

This left me a bit underwhelmed on first listen. It would probably benefit from a bit of closer attention. Nick Drake came on immediately after and I was like aah that’s better. I want to give this 3.5

3.5 - sonically pleasant and pleasingly sad, woulda meant more to me if I had listened to it in my youth. Some absolutely stunning songs, sometimes gets a bit same-y.

Actually listened to this twice as i was sure i missed something the first time around. turns out, it just did nothing for me

It’s a solid album and I can understand the influence on current similar songwriting music more than I did before after listening. I don’t know that I would return frequently to it but I enjoyed it.

2/5 at work and 3/5 at home , kinda boring maybe it was revoluntary once now it sounds like a radio song I won’t change the station on but will never look up

I think this album is pretty good, especially for coming out in the 90's. It stands out as different for its decade and definitely inspired Sufjan Stevens, Rilo Kiley, and The Shins to name a few. I like his whispery vocals and introspective lyrics. Very vulnerable and melancholy, also a little haunting given his life story. This album is for anyone trying to cope with something, especially a moody teen. It holds up well, very emotive and beautiful. I dig it.

The art of the joyful melancholic. At first I was not into this album but as it went on, the style stood out as something I hadn't heard before. Smith is able to make a sad song sound also happy. Simple and smart writing. Pretty good stuff.

I think if I was more familiar with who he is as an artist I would have appreciated this more.

3.5

If you like listening to Indie folk rock while wrapped in a blanket while in front of a fireplace on a gray winter day, this album is for you. Oh, and I forgot...the blanket is heavy and wet, the winter cold seeps in from cracks around the window frame, and the fire's gone out. Yep, it's musically and vocally competent but there's no sunshine here folks.

pretty good

musica leve, quase melancolica, gostosinha

Pleasantly surprised!

Nothing to write home about, but it's fine.

I'm already PMSing and feeling down in the dumps and now you throw an Elliott Smith album at me? I've always found him overrated and depressing and I can't see my mind changing anytime soon. Nope, it’s not changed.

Too many notes

Half listened, went ok

First few songs on my first listen and I wasn’t too sure. The album got better as the album continued. 2nd time listening and it’s a solid album. Points of songs remind of Death Cab For Cutie and/or Reliant K. 3.5

Good, sad, a little simple, I like his following albums more

More like a -3, but ok

Didn't quite do it for me.

Somber and mellow, good for a rainy day and a blanket and coffee. RIP Elliot. I respect him but the constant need to double vocals on every track feels like hiding weak singing. The album is fine.

Again, it is mostly fine. I really enjoyed the last song, Say Yes, but not enough of anything else to pull this above the middle of the road three stars.

I never really connected with Smith's records. I realize there is something there for me, but i never quite catch it.

Had not heard this album or artist before. Nice album.

Elliott Smith's "Either Or" seems to answer the question, "what is the sound of one Beatle clapping?" Musically, nearly every song sounds like a remix of the other; same key, same -- I'm not sure what to call it, diminished modulation? -- chord progression trick, same vocals delivered through a string and tin can. Lyrically, I couldn't get into it at all. Look, it's not bad, and I can see how this would really be people's thing, but it's not for me.

It was fine, I could even see maybe liking it if I listened to it a few more times, but there wasn’t enough there to make me want to.

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