Either/Or released in 1997 by Elliott Smith is perfect for any season where the trees have turned from vibrant displays of green to sad, naked branches. Perfect for any time of the year that Noah Khan would describe as “stick season.” There is a very hypnotic quality to Elliott Smith’s music, one that lulls the listener into a kind of guitar driven trance.
Some of my standout tracks are “Between the Bars,” “Rose Parade,” and “2:54 AM.” “Between the Bars” was recommended to me by a friend of mine who is an avid Elliott Smith lover. The song explores themes of alcohol addiction and how it impacts interpersonal relationships. Like the rest of the songs on the album, the only instruments that make an appearance are drums and acoustic guitar. This could make the album feel empty or unfinished, but instead, it has a rather calming effect on the listener. “Rose Parade” has a slightly more upbeat melody but keeps the general calm tone of the album throughout. And judging by the lyrics of the song, Elliot Smith is not a fan of the “Rose Parade,” an annual event held in California. “2:54 AM” is the second to last track of the album and features only vocals and acoustic guitar for the entire song up until the last verse. This song is very impactful partially because of how naked it is instrumentally. It forces the listener to pay attention to the vocals, and as a musical artist, that puts you in a very vulnerable position.
This is part of the reason why I have become more of an Elliott Smith fan over the past couple years. There is something to be said about the stylistic choices that Elliott Smith makes when presenting his music such as the emphasis on vocals and guitar being the driving force for his songs on this album. That’s not to say that music with a variety of instrumentals can’t be meaningful and vulnerable, because they can. But there is a certain comfort in the lack thereof in this album. I would highly recommend Either/Or for anyone in the mood to be sad, or just to relax. It’s a sad album, but it is also a very good album.
