#either/or elliott smith

[harmonichaunt]

On Repeat- 11/8/2024

Either/Or, Elliott Smith (1997)

After a rather dismal week, Elliott Smith’s third studio album, Either/Or, has been on heavy rotation for me. Known for his melancholic indie folk rock, Smith gained significant traction with this album when “Between the Bars”, “Say Yes”, and “Angeles” were used in the soundtrack for Good Will Hunting. (Most notably used was "Miss Misery".) Unsurprisingly, these three tracks are the most popular off the album, “Between the Bars” being Smith’s most popular song overall (at least on Spotify). It can’t be denied– it’s a beautiful song with a clear focus on alcoholism and its mental effects.

Drink up one more time and I'll make you mine Keep you apart, deep in my heart  Separate from the rest, where I like you the best  And keep the things you forgot

Clever and romantic whisper-like lyrics over slow, deliberate guitar strums make for a siren song lullaby that pulls you straight into Smith’s mindset. There isn’t much to say that hasn’t already been said about this track, but I agree that it is worth the hype that it gets. “Between the Bars” gives you the perfect taste of the gloomy guitar and lyrics that make Elliott Smith, Elliott Smith.

“Speed Trials”, Either/Or’s opening track and first single sets the tone for the album with warm guitar strumming mixed with slightly more intricate picking throughout, doubled vocals, and a soft percussion set. The song sounds happy tonally, but not necessarily lyrically. This is a semi-common theme with Smith, though he definitely does have a great number of songs that sound equally as grim as they read. Rob Schultz wrote more on this topic in an article for the Society for Music Theory, which is linked here. It’s really fascinating, especially if music theory is your jam!

Another great play from the album is “Pictures of Me”, one that is very blatantly a commentary on fame and celebrity. The song is significantly upbeat while the lyrics focus on Smith’s hatred for his representation in the media. The chorus explores this theme very well, but my personal favorite lyrics come in the second verse, “Who'd like to see me down on my fucking knees? / Everybody's dying just to get the disease”.

My personal favorite off Either/Or is “Say Yes”. It’s the most hopeful and romantic song on the album, which probably factors into why I like it so much. I love the soft and slightly high melody of this track, especially in the opening (and repeated ending lyrics) of “I'm in love with the world / Through the eyes of a girl / Who's still around the morning after”. My favorite part of this song, though, comes at the end of the chorus (as designated on Genius). This is the most pine-y set of lyrics in the song, which I can always personally relate to. “They want you or they don't / Say yes,” Smith trails off, pleading with the girl that he loves to love him back. Ugh. It’s just so sweet, I love Elliott Smith so much.

I think overall, Either/Or is a spectacular album, and I’m not the only one. Pitchfork has given it both an 8.8 and a 10 out of 10, Allmusic gives it 4.5 stars, and I’ve listened to it on repeat all week, so if you find some girl’s opinion important, then there’s that. 

Elliott Smith is definitely a current favorite of mine, and Either/Or doesn’t even hold my favorite tracks of his. I’m sure I’ll get into XO and From a Basement on the Hill another time. What are your thoughts on Elliott Smith? Any similar recommendations? Let me know.

Thanks for reading!

LT

[cellulardreams]

elliott smith 1997 by Constintina Trainwreck

[ecultured]

elliott smith for the either/or album, photograph by kill rock stars x

[rory2geeked]

[ruinedholograms]

(1997)

[20belowveins]

Since today is my record players 1 year birthday 🥳 (and the new year is so so soon) here’s all of the vinyl’s I’ve gotten this year! (Newest to oldest)

(I was supposed to be getting Trainwreck from Boys Night Out, but I either got scammed or it’s delivering way way late lol)

[clockoftheheart]

Anything but plain folk…

[shecriestotheclickingoftime]

me with my tumblr mutuals

[kurt-accursedd]

🌙☀️

[cantfindmysockss]

we’ve got to stop meeting like this

[olivesjaw]

You don't get upset about it, no, not anymore, there's nothing wrong that wasn't wrong before

[cellulardreams]

Elliott Smith The Palace 6/8/2000 by Tan

[archivist-crow]

Elliott Smith - “Between the Bars”

From the short film Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait (1997) directed by Jem Cohen

[christiane4c]

[ilovelliottsmiths]

the potential you’ll be, that you’ll never see.