Buy elliott smith either or full#

I first met Smith in spring 1998, as Either/Or was being belatedly released in the UK, and he was sweet, funny, solicitous, and not quite as shy as his increasingly formidable reputation suggested. “When they clean the street,” he sings on “Rose Parade”, “I’ll be the only shit that’s left behind.” “ Either/Or Reissue Shines New Light On Tormented Singer Elliott Smith,” read a headline on the New York Times website as the 2CD set was announced and, in fairness, it’s easy to accentuate the negative: the intimations of mortality on every album stretching back to his solo debut, 1994’s Roman Candle the fatalism intertwined with his beautiful melodies.

Buy elliott smith either or full#

The new production of Either/Or successfully enhances and humbly strengthens the despair, joy, passion, and sentiment in Smith’s songwriting.It’s worth remembering this, nearly 14 years after Smith’s likely suicide, as a deluxe edition of his finest album looks destined to be greeted not just with acclaim, but with the full gamut of doomed poet clichés. And he, as only Elliot could, did it deeply and broadly and with extraordinary emotion. In this transitional period of his life he portrayed love, loss, addiction, heartbreak and so much more. The 20th anniversary remaster of this album combines and shows off two different sides of Elliot Smith, his push and pull between remaining an indie-folk heart-throb and becoming a star whose words could touch millions of lives.

Realistically, he had the rare ability to be both. Following Either/Or, fans saw Smith diving into the world of being a pop-star and some will say he sold out. Many of his fans feel that this was Smith’s best work - and last in terms of being an intimate and beloved storyteller. The album also includes a handful of great live recordings including the driven and bubbly, “Some Song,” which contradicts the silly and simple, funky and fun organ number, “New Monkey.” The album closes with a great alternate version of “Bottle Up and Explode!” that should not be missed.Įither/Or came at a time when Smith was searching for his true voice as a songwriter and this new edition only enhances his rough edges and imperfect beauty. The classic “Cupid’s Trick” is brought to life with newly perfected bass and drums and has a sound that is bigger than ever when it opens up with the electric guitar. Smith’s ability to make something sound intimate, whether it’s in your bed or in an arena, is only brought into a finer light with this edition.

The intricacies that make his songwriting both pleasant and meaningful remain fully intact. Since this album was never meant to be straightforward pop or overly produced, the 20th anniversary does correct, adjust or re-do too much. Standouts on the original album like “Angeles” and “Pictures Of Me” still remain gems, but the new editions tastefully brings out a clearer vision for Smith’s work. The collection is a must have for both new and old Elliot Smith fans. The 17 song, double LP is packaged with a gatefold jacket and an insert of Smith’s original liner notes, a postcard of the original master tapes and a handful of never seen photos. The record also includes five songs recorded live in 1997, at Smith’s performance at Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia, WA, three unreleased studio recordings and one B-side masterpiece. Larry Crane (owner of Jackpot! Studios and archivist of Elliot Smith’s estate) has overseen and supervised the record. The album includes the original tracks with careful touch ups and delicate adjustments. To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of its release, Kill Rock Stars has been kind enough to re-master and expand a reissue. Elliott Smith’s classic 1997 album, Either/Or, is widely regarded as his most notable work.