Either/Or
Elliott Smith
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| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speed Trials | Elliott Smith | 3:01 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | Alameda | Elliott Smith | 3:43 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Ballad of Big Nothing | Elliott Smith | 2:48 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Between the Bars | Elliott Smith | 2:21 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Pictures of Me | Elliott Smith | 3:46 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 6 | No Name No. 5 | Elliott Smith | 3:43 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 7 | Rose Parade | Elliott Smith | 3:28 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 8 | Punch and Judy | Elliott Smith | 2:25 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 9 | Angeles | Elliott Smith | 2:56 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 10 | Cupids Trick | Elliott Smith | 3:04 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 11 | 2:45 A.M. | Elliott Smith | 3:18 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 12 | Say Yes | Elliott Smith | 2:19 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 12 Songs |
iTunes Review
For many fans, 1997's low-key but gorgeous Either/Or is the crucial Elliott Smith album to own. Before this, Smith had delivered two lo-fi glimpses of his brilliance (not to mention his output for Portland rock group, Heatmeiser). After this stunning record, we'd get major label budgets and a much poppier sound. But this is Smith at his most raw, performing 12 inspired, near-perfect ballads on his acoustic guitar that would forever get him compared to Nick Drake. "No Name No. 5" and "2:45 A.M." establish Smith as a lost loner and outcast. "Alameda" and "Between the Bars" reveal delicate acoustic guitar chops that matched his prodigious lyrical depth. "Angeles" would go on to be featured on the Good Will Hunting soundtrack, and provide Smith with a taste of mainstream stardom. Simply put, it's the masterpiece of a lost genius.
Recent Customer Reviews
Song by Song Breakdown.
by c-friI love this album.
Song by song
Speed Trials: This is a perfect first song. It starts out the album with a perfect little riff. It's a unique song for Elliott to have written. There isn't another one quite like it. It has this little riff thing at the beginning that doesn't quite flow with the rest of the song. But it works beautifully. My favorite part is by far when he switches to the F maj 7 and says crossing your face running speed trials.
Alameda: Starts with a nice little intro. Typical of Elliott to play a semi melody of the verse over the chords while strumming. The lyrics are pretty interesting. I wonder if he is talking about Alameda Street in Portland. It's interesting how the verses have crazily weird chords and so does the pre chorus. But then it hits the chorus and has simple 1 4 5 progression. Favorite lyric: you're all pretension
I never pay attention. I love how it rhymes with the first chorus, which says "over their affection"
Ballad of Big Nothing: This song took a while for me to like. I love how much his voice stresses. That used to annoy me but now it is my favorite part. I think this song deserves more credit than it gets. Towards the end it goes back into the beginning guitar part while he is still saying ooohs and it is just beautiful.
Between the Bars (in good will hunting and 3/4 timing!): Not many words for this. This is a classic Elliott smith song. If you know who he is than you know this song. It is a simple but beautifully elegant melody. The lyrics are tragic and sweet. "Drink up, baby, look at the stars
I'll kiss you again between the bars"
Pictures of Me: Underrated song. This song has a super simple Ringo style drum line. Elliott starts out at a pitch that seems like he can barely sing because it’s so low. Than the second verse comes in and he sings a fifth up I believe. He has a great third harmony that only comes from one headphone in the chorus. It is quiet. There are so many subtleties and layers to this song.
No name No. 5: fifth song in the series of songs without a name. This song is very calm. He does the same thing that he does in pictures of me where in the second verse he sings much higher. The guitar strums are very clear. You can hear every string resonate while listening to this. The key change in the chorus is great. I also love when he goes to C maj 7 and says there’s nothing wrong before...
Rose Parade: Big strumming. This is a wonderful full ballad sounding song. Again he is talking about Portland although he is saying he thinks the rose parade is a big phony annoying celebration that isn't quite real. I never liked the rose parade either. He comes back into the second verse great after the chorus. It’s all quietish. This song is pretty low for Elliott to sing. I have to say that this isn't my favorite song on the album and I never listen to it alone but the album would definitely be missing something with out it.
Punch and Judy: This song is really dreamy. His voice is really like a mermaid's. He plays a slow relaxed guitar solo that matches the verse very well. The chorus contrasts the dreamy verses and sounds very angry. "Can't you ever do anything nice? Think I’m gonna make the same mistake twice..." There is also a very nice bass line, which isn't super common for Elliott smith to do.
Angeles (in goodwill hunting): This song has a special place in my heart. I love it so much. It is the first song I ever heard of his and the first I learned to play on guitar. His finger picking is so incredible in the intro. He has a perfect melody and the song is so complex yet simple. It is one of his masterpieces and it will forever be one of his trademark creations.
Cupid's Trick: cupid's trick is in between two songs that are very calm and peaceful. It is quite a contrast. It is sort of angry and I love how Elliott Smith puts it right in there to shake it up. It has a lot of meaning I think to him. Cupids trick is really similar to Pictures of Me. They both have the nice layers and little riff at the beginning.
2:45 am: This song is one of the simplest calmest songs Elliott has ever written. It is interesting cause it has full strums with no bass note at the beginning of the chord than a full little bass riff as if to substitute. It's really interesting and the lyrics capture great images.
Say Yes (in good will hunting): Say Yes is a perfect end to an amazing album. Say yes captures all the happy and sad within this album. It is about good and bad times and the melody is cheery and classic. The bridge is really cool because he overlays his voice and it's through left and right so if you don’t listen to one earphone you can isolate the harmony. This a great song
Overall most well rounded Elliott smith album. You can see how he goes from Roman candle and Elliott Smith into Either/Or and than would go on to create XO, Figure 8, and FABOTH. All of which are great albums. Highly recommend
Amazing.
by SerendipidityOne of Elliott Smith's best albums for sure!
Get it. Now.
by atp357Don't be fooled by the apparently low-fi recordings and the lack of many other ratings. What you see here is one of the tightest, most well written and well dont albums I've ever listened to. You won't find more honest lyrics that seems to flow so beautifully through every song anywhere else. Buy it now, and you'll never regret it.
Biography
Born: August 06, 1969 in Omaha, NE
Genre: Alternative
Years Active: '90s, '00s
Top Albums and Songs by Elliott Smith
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angeles | Either/Or | 2:56 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | Say Yes | Either/Or | 2:19 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Between the Bars | Either/Or | 2:21 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Waltz, No. 2 (XO) | XO | 4:40 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Son of Sam | Figure 8 | 3:04 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Alternative, Music, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Pop, Pop/Rock
- Released: Feb 25, 1997
- ℗ 1997 Kill Rock Stars
