Either/Or is Elliott Smith's third studio album, released on February 25, 1997. Widely considered a seminal work in his discography, it bridges the intimate lo-fi charm of his earlier albums with the more polished, orchestral sound of his later works. The album's title references Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophical text of the same name, reflecting themes of existential struggle and duality.
Musically, Either/Or combines Smith’s fingerpicked acoustic guitar, whispery vocals, and understated melodies with occasional flourishes of electric guitar, layered instrumentation, and subtle percussion. The production maintains a raw, home-recorded feel, which complements the album's introspective tone.
Lyrically, the record delves into themes of alienation, addiction, love, and self-doubt, encapsulating the melancholy and poetic lyricism for which Smith is known. Tracks like “Between the Bars,” “Angeles,” and “Say Yes” are among its most celebrated, showcasing his ability to craft emotionally resonant and hauntingly beautiful songs.
Either/Or earned critical acclaim upon its release and has since been hailed as a masterpiece of 1990s indie rock. Its enduring influence is evident in its role in shaping the sound of lo-fi and singer-songwriter music in the decades following its release.
Listen to the album on Spotify
Listen to the album on Apple Music
What did you think of this album? Send us a text!
Patreon
Website
Polyphonic Press Discord Server
Follow us on Instagram
Contact: polyphonicpressmusic@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!