Either/Or

Product Information

His songs of loss and loneliness have the broken-poet aura of Smog or Mark Eitzel, but he offsets the gloom with a hatful of damnably catchy melodies and progressions, turning suffering into pop and making it signify. The previously unreleased 'I Figured You Out', is a great pop-rock track, and comes after 'I Don't Think I'm Ever Gonna Figure It Out', a catchy little tune which was originally issued as a B side, and really demonstrates the man's talents at picking away at a guitar.

Smith's music usually revolves around him and an acoustic guitar which means that while the 2017 versions are sharper there is not a quantum leap in quality. Book-ended by the two singles "Speed Trials" and "Ballad of Big Nothing", Either/Or did not chart in the US but was acclaimed by critics. There is a 180g reissue in print (with sticker in image below) that might still be pressed from the same parts, anyone have the deadwax for the 180g? On Either / Or, Smith observes a production ethic that retains a lo-fi looseness without sacrificing any sonic clarity.With a profound influence on the alternative music scene, Smith's intricate guitar work and poignant lyrics shine throughout the album. All image and audio content is used by permission of the copyright holders or their agents, and/or according to fair dealing as per the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Recorded in several locations mostly in Portland, Oregon while Smith was still in Heatmiser and produced by Smith, Tom Roth rock and Rob Schnapf, Either/Or was released on February 25, 1997 through record label Kill Rock Stars following the demise of Heatmiser. This album features the original tracks carefully remastered from original tapes under the supervision of Larry Crane, owner of Jackpot! The mastering on vinyl makes this incredible record justice, impeccable crafted songs, arrangements and performance expanding way beyond its low budget studio sessions.

Double vinyl LP pressing in a gatefold jacket that includes an insert of the original liner notes, a postcard of the original master tapes, and several never-before seen photos. Secondary copies sent out will be opened and inspected before being re-shipped to guarantee a non defective replacement. Of the new content, the five live tracks recorded at the Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia, Washington in 1997 are of pristine quality with the harrowing "Some Song" especially powerful.Through its dozen tracks, the album oscillates between harmony and dissonance, sentiment and cynicism, culminating in a record that is unmistakably and unabashedly “Elliott Smith”.