Either/Or (album)

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For the philosophical work by Søren Kierkegaard, see Either/Or.
Either/Or
Elliottsmitheitheror55.jpg
Studio album by Elliott Smith
Released February 25, 1997
Recorded Several locations (see below)
Genre
Length 37:00
Label Kill Rock Stars
Producer
Elliott Smith chronology
Elliott Smith
(1995)Elliott Smith1995		 Either/Or
(1997)		 XO
(1998)XO1998
Singles from Either/Or
  1. "Speed Trials"
    Released: October 1, 1996
  2. "Ballad of Big Nothing"
    Released: June 29, 1998

Either/Or is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Recorded in several locations mostly in Portland, Oregon while Smith was still in Heatmiser and produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, Either/Or was released on February 25, 1997 through record label Kill Rock Stars following the demise of Heatmiser. 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. Director Gus Van Sant was highly impressed with the album and incorporated three of its songs, along with new Elliott Smith material, into the Good Will Hunting soundtrack.

Smith wrote and recorded a song entitled "Either/Or" during the sessions for this album, but it was not included on the final release. The song "Either/Or" was later included on the Elliott Smith record New Moon, a posthumous compilation of previously unreleased material.

In 2013, NME placed Either/Or at number 149 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[1]

Background

Either/Or was recorded at several locations: Joanna Bolme's house, Smith's own house, Undercover, Inc. and Laundry Rules Recording, all in Portland, Oregon as well as The Shop in Arcata, California and "Heatmiser House". The album was produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf.[2]

The album's title derives from the Søren Kierkegaard book of the same name, reflecting Smith's interest in philosophy, which he studied at Hampshire College in Massachusetts.[3] The album's style has been described as "a bridge between the lo-fi darkness of Roman Candle and Elliott Smith and the studio sheen of XO and Figure 8."[4]

Release

The album's first single, "Speed Trials", was released on October 1, 1996.[5] Either/Or was released on February 25, 1997.[6] It did not chart in the US.[7] The album's second and final single, "Ballad of Big Nothing", was released on June 29, 1998.[8]

Smith would be cast into the international spotlight early the following year when he performed his song, the 1997 standalone single "Miss Misery", at the 1998 Academy Awards, following the song's appearance in the major motion picture Good Will Hunting. Following this appearance, Smith was signed to major label DreamWorks and started work on his fourth studio album, XO.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4.5/5 stars[9]
The A.V. Club A[10]
Robert Christgau (1-star Honorable Mention)[11]
Pitchfork 8.8/10[12]
PopMatters very favorable[13]
Rolling Stone 3.5/5 stars[14]
Tiny Mix Tapes 5/5 stars[4]
Trouser Press favorable[15]

Either/Or was acclaimed by critics upon its release, placing at number 20 in the 1997 end-of-year Pazz & Jop poll.[16]

In its retrospective review, Tiny Mix Tapes opined: "Simply put, the songs on Either/Or are Elliott Smith's best".[4] Trouser Press called it "even more fully realized" than Elliott Smith.[15]

Legacy

The album inspired Gus Van Zant to invite Smith to contribute to the soundtrack of the film Good Will Hunting. Three Either/Or tracks were incorporated into the soundtrack, as well as a new song, "Miss Misery." Smith was briefly pushed to the forefront of popular culture after performing "Miss Misery" from Good Will Hunting at the 1998 Academy Awards.

Online magazine Pitchfork ranked Either/Or 59th in its list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1990s.[17] Spin magazine ranked Either/Or at number 48 on its list of the best albums from 1987 to 2012.[18] Blender ranked it thirty-sixth in its "100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums Ever" list.[19]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Elliott Smith. 

No. Title Length
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

Personnel

  • Elliott Smith – all instruments, mixing ("Alameda", "No Name No. 5", "Rose Parade", "2:45 AM")
Technical
  • Joanna Bolme – mixing ("Alameda"), back cover photography
  • Rob Schnapf – mixing ("Speed Trials", "Ballad of Big Nothing", "Between the Bars", "Pictures of Me", "Punch and Judy", "Angeles", "Cupid's Trick", "Say Yes")
  • Tom Rothrock – mixing ("Speed Trials", "Ballad of Big Nothing", "Between the Bars", "Pictures of Me", "Punch and Judy", "Angeles", "Cupid's Trick", "Say Yes")
  • Don (Don C. Tyler) – mastering
  • Neil Gust – sleeve layout
  • Debbie Pastor – front cover photography

References

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External links

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