Band: Elliott Smith
Album: Either/Or
Released: February 1997
Favourite Track: Say Yes
Favourite Lyric: “People you’ve been before that you don’t want around anymore”
I had been told by someone into similar music as me that I would like this album. So I went to Our Price and got them to order it in for me. It arrived a couple of weeks later and I went into town to collect it. The salesperson at the desk was my friend Tim who I briefly discussed the album with as he’d not heard of it but I was unable to even give him a hint about what it might sound like having no idea myself.
I was lucky enough to see a few shows while he was still alive. The first time I saw him he was supported by Quasi who he also played bass for.
Before seeing him, I had the impression of him as an exceptionally introverted person but he seemed really quite personable. He would come out and wave to the crowd and made jokes about his voice being bad due to a cough but that he couldn’t be too bad as he was still smoking.
Anyway, this album is basically flawless. Every song on it is a beautiful work of art. Excellent music, great lyrics, perfectly structured. I literally can’t find a flaw with it.
Smith is a vastly underrated guitar player. I know because I’ve recently bought a “Best of” music book and I can barely play 2 songs from it.
I still strongly remember the night when I was lying in bed and got a text message from Richard telling me that he had died and the feeling that evoked in me.