{"id":39693,"date":"2006-03-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2006-03-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyvault.adishjain.in\/index.php\/reviews\/either-or\/"},"modified":"2006-03-28T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2006-03-28T00:00:00","slug":"either-or","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/dailyvault.adishjain.in\/index.php\/reviews\/either-or\/","title":{"rendered":"Either\/or"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

This disc has been sitting on my to-buy list for at
\nleast six months. Who knows what finally motivated me to purchase
\nit after all this time, but I sincerely thank whatever forces
\nhappened to intervene when I went binge-ing on Amazon.com.<\/p>\n

Either\/Or<\/i>, the third full length release from
\nsinger-songwriter Elliott Smith (also considered his last purely
\nindie release) is, from start to finish, perfection. Sure, that
\nmight be a grandiose statement, but on this record, Smith truly has
\npolished his blend of quirky pop to create an insightful,
\ncomfortable album.<\/p>\n

“Speed Trials” is an ideal opener, showcasing Smith’s
\nlush acoustic melodies and whispery, honest vocals. It’s
\nbackdropped by lyrics delivered in his signature low-key tone but
\nthe sentiment behind lyrics like “You little child, what makes you
\nthink you’re tough \/ When all the people you think you’re above \/
\nThey all know what’s the matter” is undeniable.<\/p>\n

Next up is “Alameda,” whose sentimental chorus and
\nsubtle, shuffling guitar arrangement make it one of the highlights
\nof the album. The thing about Either\/Or<\/i>, though, is that it
\nsounds best in its entirety — one of the few in which each track
\nis just as vital to the final result as the next.<\/p>\n

On numerous occasions, Smith has been compared to
\nNick Drake, The Beach Boys and The Beatles, among others, and the
\neffect of the latter is prevalent in his similar ability to shape
\nthe ideal, two minute or so chunk of endearing pop. Just listen to
\n“Pictures Of Me” or “”Between The Bars,” which never fails to
\nremind me of “Blackbird.”<\/p>\n

No doubt, my favorite on the album is “Say Yes.” It
\nmanages to encompass the highs and lows, agonies and uplift of
\nrelationship woes in lines like, “It’s always been wait and see \/ A
\nhappy day and then you pay \/ And feel like shit the morning
\nafter.”<\/p>\n

Just listening to a track like “2:45 A.M.” proves why
\nEither\/Or<\/i> and Smith himself are near unparalleled. His
\nlyrics are self-aware, open and never afraid to project his own
\nvulnerability or faults. Whether he’s bemoaning love or throwing
\ncaution to the wind in the strolling “Ballad Of Big Nothing,” Smith
\ncontrasts the oft-appearing gloom and depression with engaging
\nchoruses and delicate acoustic arrangements.<\/p>\n

So whether you’re in love, out of love, angsty,
\ncontemplative or just in search of a soundtrack to wile away a half
\nhour, Either\/Or<\/i> is the album for you. It may not be
\ngroundbreaking in its originality, but it will stick with you long
\nafter its run time, and that may just count for more.<\/p>\n

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