Either / Or

by Elliott Smith

Either / Or cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 13 August 2001
  • Label: Ladomat 2000, Kill Rock Stars
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 36:52
  • Community rating: 4.29/5 from 119 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

On 'Either/Or', Elliott Smith expands from his earlier lo-fi recordings by introducing more complex instrumentation, including drums, bass, and electric guitars, while retaining his signature whispered, double-tracked vocals and intricate acoustic fingerpicking. The album's title references S酶ren Kierkegaard's existentialist text, reflecting lyrical themes of alienation, addiction, and melancholy that are balanced with sophisticated, Kinks-inspired pop melodies. Its standing as a landmark of 1990s indie folk was solidified after several of its songs were prominently featured in the film *Good Will Hunting*, bringing Smith's intimate and raw songwriting to a much wider audience.

Genres

Descriptors: acoustic, hushed, whispering, lo-fi, personal, confessional, folk, melodic

Tracklist

  1. Speed Trials (3:01)
  2. Alameda (3:43)
  3. Ballad of Big Nothing (2:48)
  4. Between the Bars (2:21)
  5. Pictures of Me (3:46)
  6. No Name No. 5 (3:43)
  7. Rose Parade (3:28)
  8. Punch and Judy (2:25)
  9. Angeles (2:56)
  10. Cupid's Trick (3:04)
  11. 2:45 AM (3:18)
  12. Say Yes (2:19)

Credits

  • Elliott Smith - producer, all instruments performed by, engineer, mixed by
  • Joanna Bolme - mixing ("alameda"), back cover photography, engineer
  • Rob Schnapf - mixing ("speed trials", "ballad of big nothing", "between the bars", "pictures of me", "punch and judy", "angeles", "cupid's trick", "say yes"), producer, engineer, mixed by
  • Tom Rothrock - mixing ("speed trials", "ballad of big nothing", "between the bars", "pictures of me", "punch and judy", "angeles", "cupid's trick", "say yes"), producer, engineer, mixed by
  • Larry Crane - recording ("pictures of me"), engineer, mastered by [supervision by], mixed by
  • Don C. Tyler - mastering
  • Neil Gust - sleeve layout, drums [doubled drums]
  • Debbie Pastor - front cover photography
  • Benjamin Parrish - design
  • Greg DiGesu - engineer
  • Adam Gonsalves - mastered by
  • Jenna Zine - liner notes [liner notes proofreading]
  • Philip Fischer - other [lyrics decoded by]

More from Elliott Smith: full discography