Either Or

this shit fucking BANGS very hot and sexy

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.

I had some notes written about a couple of songs on Elliott Smith’s “Either Or” years ago when we first listened. But revisiting it now to finish the review, alongside “Figure 8,” I re-read the review by pretentious-ass. His experience with Smith was not mine, but his reflection is so perfect and moving. So my review is to say go read his review.

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.

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

Ok listen

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.

Un-listenable

3.5/5. I liked it more than I thought I would, I would listen again.

“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.

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

Either utterly forgettable or great for the background.

A little sleepy for me. I was fading as the album continued but Cupids Trick was a nice switch-up. Wish more of the album was like that! Ended up learning more about Elliott Smith and re-listening to some of his more popular songs, they had a larger impact after I learned a bit more about him

Depressing AF but alright if that’s your bag

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.

definitely on rotation

Elliott Smith, one of the OG whiney bois.

2000s-era sad boi music. Elliott Smith was the best, this record is no exception. Great songwriting

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.

Bad album. Struggled listening through this one.

pls finish listetning to it, i kinda got bored

This is definitely unique, but there's always such a weird little disconnect between the wispy, unsupported vocals and the music itself. It's kind of like the mixing is off, but it may be intentional.

I really like his album

Beautiful. I listened to it twice. I will be returning to Elliott Smith quite a bit

What a great album this is....way too long since I listened to it. Just one beautiful song after another. Elliott's voice is so gentle and inviting. Love this album 4 stars

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

A great album that I already new. This album has directly inspired a lot of other artists. Between the Bars being my fav of course.

Classic Softboy music. I really think Elliot smith is so talented. Between the bars, A song dealing with addiction... or love maybe? I don't know really. I think it's the idea of wanting to help someone you love. But in doing that, you feel like you need to keep them from people who might damage them? atleast if they're always with you, you know they can't hurt you or themselves? A well meaning song I think, but really shows how quickly that relationship can spiral into a controlling mess. I really love that song. The more I sit with this album the more I like it. It's going to be in normal rotation from now on I think. It's really great.

Background music. Not very memorable

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.

kinda boring, but good to do work to

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.

No quite my music but its ok. Kinda stoner rock vibe

Surprising good! Nice and chill with an addictive voice

That's a five star album.

I'm not a *huge* fan of the sound - it's a little dreary for my tastes - but there's some excellent song-writing here. Much better than I expected.

Super langweiliges, fast gewimmertes "singen". Ist eher was für depressive Phasen.

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.

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

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).

Rubbish.

Dreary

The best thing I can say about this is that I didn't actively hate it. I didn't like it though. Very melancholy, sad, folky. Not at all for me.

Not heard of ES before. He was clearly a fine songwriter. Couldn't really get into this.

Not for me

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.

love the vibe n love elliot smith would’ve been 5 if some songs weren’t that “boring” he has better stuff!

Something about Elliott Smith’s music is very haunting and addicting. I don’t listen to him enough. “Say Yes” is a perfect song.

5/21/21 6:58AM - I don't care for this album. Let's see if that changes... 5/22/21 7:00AM - It's fine. Still doesn't grab me. Best tracks: Rose Parade and Cupid's Trick

okay folk rock sound. Probably 2.5

Inoffensive but doesn’t stand out from other singer-songwriters

meh

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

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!

This album is basically a indie folk version of Nick Drakes music. Very quite but it does have more instruments when compared to Nick Drake

Sounds good, but I need to pay more attention to the lyrics and the sound. Anyways, it was a great album

Completely forgettable.

Хило. Битлз на минималках. Классический софт рок

♥️

Listened to it twice. It was that good!

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

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

Riktigt mysigt faktiskt!! Gillar Angeles och alameda.

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!

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

Not bad, very mellow.

Good Will Hunting discover....

I quite like this album. This first listen through it was quite depressing but the 2nd time through I cranked the volume and the gloom and doom rolled right off me. I recall Elliott saying something along the lines that ever since his first suicide attempt people assumed his songs were depressing. He also clarified that his songs about drug addictions were not sad songs about down and out addicts: he was just using metaphors. OK then. I’ll guess I’ll play this one at 11:40 PM next New Year’s Eve.

Dreamy, haunting.

Not too bad

Meh

Acoustic guitar with sing-songy vocals. meh.

Wet wank, no thanks

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.

Not a huge fan of this genre (emo-ish rock) but thought the beats were pretty catchy and thought it did a nice job of highlighting his talent as a lyricist

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

The blueprint

A solid 2/5.

To begin with I was a little bored with the first two tracks but then Ballad of do nothing and Between the bars caught my attention. Its downbeat of course it is, eventually Elliot Smith committed suicide! But Lyrically the songs are insanely good and perfectly captured my mood on the first Monday back after a week off work! 5/5 lyrically. 3/5 for the production and mono toned singing. 4/5 overall

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

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.

A deep album with lot of significance. Not perfect, but a must listening whatsoever.

Un tanto lineal. Buena voz, pero no destacaría especialmente

Despite Mr Smith's liberal use of profanity, this is an indistinct and wimpy record. I don't like it. The only bits I liked were when he was doing a passable Big Star impersonation. Otherwise, all a bit too wet and gooey for me.

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.

bof bof

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

Really liked the melodic tones. Does it seem that a lot of the artists on this list have have very tragic story? Will definitely listen to this again.

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.

This is a new listen for me, sad music that can make you happy. Nice melancholy vibe that can get under your skin.

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.

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

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

Meh

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

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

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

not my favorite Elliot Smith record but damn is it good

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

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.

As expected - whiney

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 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.

Enjoyed this. Would listen again.

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.

Wasn’t sure how much I liked this, but I had it on repeat all day.

Elliott Smith made some achingly beautiful music. Sad, fragile, and haunting. My only (slight) complaint is that most of his songs sound fairly similar. 4 stars.

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.

Maybe the greatest album of that decade?

pretentious

Original emo right here.

Nice variation in style of songs while keep a distinct sound

Ehh

Not bad, some good tunes

Wel prima gevoelig album, zou het niet zo snel nogeens aanzetten

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

Never heard of him before this. Enjoyed it!

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

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.

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

Nice but the album did not though me.

Une découverte pour moi.

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.

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

It's a good sad album.

A highlight from the end of the 90s. Melodic soft tones and strong lyrics. Full of songs you didnt know where they come from but have heard on repeated indie movie soundtracks, including Good Will Hunting. Although the sound is light, much of the content is dark. Big contrast between.

Sublime

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

Not new to Elliott Smith. Doesn’t have the same impact on me today as I’m not an angsty emo teenager anymore. He’s still an amazing musician that died before his time, but not really my jam any longer.

Bit boring

A little emo for my taste.

1

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

So. much. emotion.

very wet

ok. Unlikely to listen again

2.9

Easily one of the best records of the 90s

One of alt-Rock's \"what if's\" RIP, Elliott.

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

Lancinant et répétitif. Pas mauvais mais pas mon style.

Terrific album - a great mix of rather melancholic yet infectious, low-key tunes.

Favorites: Alameda, Ballad of Big Nothing

Loved it, can't believe I never heard this before. Fantastic.

Never a bad day for Elliott, ever.

A bit dull

Love

Taustamusaa

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"

Monocordico. Boring. Musica de dentista, tem seus méritos, nesse nicho. Serve para rolar umas paisagens no canal OFF.

Great album!

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

It's...okay...

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

interesting style of singing and it has something special to it

Nothing substantial.

I'd prefer a greatest hits album of his instead

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

Melkosta muniinpuhaltelua. Vaati kärsivällisyyttä kuunnella läpi, mut meni.

Eh didn't listen to it too much

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

4/20 3.5/5. Very nice somber tracks, I like his voice. Standout Tracks: Speed Trials, Ballad Of Big Nothing, Rose Parade, Cupids Trick, Say Yes

Poetic

stuck in love introduced me to this. smth na doesnt stick but very chill, i like it.

ok this is suuuuper boring and goes nowhere. Like watching paint dry. 2/5.

3

Interesting album from someone who was killed way too young. Lo fi is fun to put on in the background and I'd definitely spin this album again in the future. Good stuff.