Disco de Elliott Smith: “Either/Or”

I have to thank Spin magazine for my purchase of Elliot Smith's Either/Or. I saw the album located as one of the best albums of the 90s and decided to go purchase the album. SPIN WAS COMPLETELY WRONG. This album should have been way farther up than the rating it got. Where have I been? How come I had never heard of Elliot Smith before this? I love every song on this album. Beautiful melodies and flowing intelligent lyrics - Either/Or is one of the most haunting and elegant albums I have ever heard. Speed Trials is glorious and so is Alameda. Ballad of Big Nothing is without a doubt the highlight of the album. Between the Bars, Pictures of Me, No Name No.5, Rose Parade, Punch and Judy, Cupid's Trick, 2:45 AM - all GREAT songs. Say Yes and Angeles are other highlights. Elliot Smith has a ethereal voice and combined with his guitar- creates an experience that can only be heard. I haven't heard XO or his self-titled. But from some people I've talked to - they say XO or the self-titled is better. How can you top this? I can't wait to find out.

First, this album is a work of genius.

Second, here is why you should buy it. "Either/Or" is Elliot's 3rd solo release, following 3 albums and several EPs with the Portland indie/grunge band Heatmiser. I can't speak for "roman candle" or "Elliot Smith," but i can tell you about this album...which is one of the best i have ever heard.

As several other reviews said, this album has an ethereal, acoustic sound, best compared to Simon and Garfunkel or Nick Drake. The songs - short, but beautiful - are vintage Elliot, with moody, depressing lyrics generally about the girl who got away - and why it's his own fault. "Nobody broke your heart...you broke your own cuz you can't finish what you start," he chants over and over on "Alameda." Elliot utilizes both complex, Dylanesque lines along with simple, powerful phrases like the chorus of "Ballad of Big Nothing" to create truly moving songs...and if that's not enough, Elliot is a fine singer.

The highlight of many songs is the vocal melody, especially on the bright "Rose Parade." Elliot's trademarke guitar work is here, of course - his pick/strum chord-oriented songs comprise the bulk of the album. The music stands on it's own, yet creates a suberb backing for Elliot's singing and lyrics. This is one of his best albums, and i would consider it stronger than XO, which has been more universally acclaimed (even by this website!). A few standout tracks - of course, the songs from Good Will Hunting... "Ballad of Big Nothing" "Say Yes" and "Between the Bars." The entire album is great, however, with not a single weak track.

You should pick this one up - everyone should give "Either/Or" a chance, because someday it will stand as one of the finest albums produced during the 1990's...and maybe ever.

it makes me sick to turn on the radio, or the tv, and to see the pathetically empty personas that the masses are worshipping as artists. usher? f*$k you, you arrogant, no-talent, self righteous worm. the simpson sisters? need i say more? it's a real wonder that the true artists don't do themselves in more often. just give this album a listen...i mean a REAL listen, with a botle, or a fat line, or 30 minutes of tears, or a shot in the arm, or whatever else you normally save for the quiet times, and really digest this work. if you still come out of it with a healthy respect for people like britney spears and justin timberlake then i don't know what to tell you, except that real art is dying on the vine thanks to clever media manipulations and ignorant, ill-informed gum-munching nitwits who think that revolt means doing exactly what mtv tells them to do. wake up and come to life, before another great artist chooses to do just the opposite. this album is pure gold and then some.

Nothing to say that hasn't been said before, but yes, a very good CD from the most talented singer/songwriter of the 90's.

Alameda/Rose Parade are amazing.

Recently I looked through all of the CD's that I have reviewed and I realized that, for the most part, I never review the albums that mean the most to me. Those albums that strike a chord deep in my heart and that have true meaning in my life, not just records that are catchy and fun to have on in the background. Maybe it's because I am worried I won't be able to do them justice? Or maybe I'm worried that I'll detract from the special feeling that comes each time I listen to it if I analyze it too much. More likely than not though, I think I never discuss these albums because they are personal and private and something I want to keep to myself.

However, in light of recent events I feel like I need to say something about Elliott Smith's work and how devestatingly beautiful it is. I'm not going to try to analyze anything here or try to come up with creative metaphors for his sound. I just want to make it clear that I absolutely love everything he's done.

Either/Or is my favorite of his albums, and is tremendous through and through. It is raw and beautiful in a disturbing fashion. Listening to his simple melodies and open-hearted lyrics is both therapeutic as well as haunting and it is so tragic that more people never were tuned in to his amazing work.

Maybe it's better that way though? Elliott never wanted the spotlight or the fame. He wanted his life to be simple, quiet, and held close to himself. Maybe that's how his records should be for those of us who do treasure them.