Product Description

This singer/songwriter can say more with a whisper than most folks can with a scream. The gently insinuating despair ofSmith's work communicates volumes about the heartbreak and alienation that is the bane of 20th century boys with too much time on their hands. Smith's day job fronting the aggressive post-punk band Heatmiser provides him with the necessaryyang to produce the quiet, evocative yin of his solo work.
On EITHER/OR, Smith observes a production ethic that retains a lo-fi looseness without sacrificing any sonic clarity.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.

Track Listing

1. Speed Trials
2. Alameda
3. Ballad Of Big Nothing
4. Between The Bars
5. Pictures Of Me
6. No Name #5
7. Rose Parade
8. Punch And Judy
9. Angeles
10. Cupid's Trick
11. 2.45am
12. Say Yes

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2737 in Music
• Released on: 2004-12-06
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Blessed with the voice of a wispy angel, Elliot Smith creates sad little pop songs, which, like the work of Nick Drake (to whom he's been compared) threaten to disappear into the night air. Several of the tracks here were featured in Gus Van Zant's movie Good Will Hunting, and they're among the album's best (though "Miss Misery", nominated for an Academy Award is only available on the soundtrack album). "Angeles" and "Say Yes" are bittersweet laments that feature Smith's idiosyncratic guitar picking, which is well served by the album's decidedly low-fi production. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Either this or 'XO'...
There's no disputing that the late, great Elliott Smith had a knack for catchy, pretty tunes. Unlike the average pop song, though, their beauty goes way more than skin deep. You can't move these days for melancholy guys and their guitars... goodbye, my lover, blah blah. But if you're looking for music to nurse you through breakdowns as well as break-ups, then you've come to the right place.

Yeah, these are mostly love songs but so much more. It's hard to explain, but some music you don't just listen to, you kind of absorb it. His fragile, unassuming voice gently shuffles its way into your subconscious and takes root. `Between the Bars' is so beautiful, you could listen to it a million times and never tire of it. Elliott Smith fans generally come in two camps- you either like this one best or you like `XO'. As for me, I'm most attached to his posthumous album `From a Basement on a Hill' so as an impartial advisor I suggest you buy all three and then `Roman Candle' as well. If you already own any of these, you don't need me to tell you that `Either/Or' is essential listening. Highly, highly, highly recommended.

Wonderful
The impossibly exquisite tenderness with which Elliot sings songs such as " Say Yes, " " Angeles," and " Rose Parade, " have endeared him to millions of people. His songs have a melodic simplicity, purity and honesty that recall the folk-pop classics of the 60's and 70's such as George Harrisons " All Things Must Pass," Led Zeppelins " Thats The Way," and Paul Simons " April Come She Will. " If you liked those tracks then Elliot is the man for you. RIP.

Calm Down! :-)
I think it's a little insular to be suggesting that a reference from James Blunt could be an insult to the memory of anyone. If anything, those genuinely interested in Elliot Smith's memory should be grateful that a mention form any pop star should bring new listeners to his catalogue. Elliot Smith was an exceptional songwriter and less is definitely more where his production is concerned. It's a real shame he's not still with us but at least we still get to listen to his inspirational music. Thanks James Blunt for uttering the name Elliot Smith.