Either/Or is easily his best album, though Roman Candle and XO are also great albums.

Still I would put "Either/Or" in my top 10 Nineties albums, that's how good it is. Almost every single song on the album is up to level of the best work in his entire catalogue.

S/T is my fav!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Everyoneanindividual,

I love Elliot Smith, and to be fair all his albums are great, but my favorite is Either/Or closely followed by XO. But everybody has their own favorite Elliot Smith album, which just shows what a great artist he is. Far and away the best singer-songwriter of the past twenty years, IMO.

Eithor/Or without a doubt although his other ones are better than the majority of the other singer/songwriters of his generation, IMO

quote:

Originally posted by Sammo201:
Either/Or or Figure 8 but I think the former just edges it for pure, raw beauty.

I like to separate his work. The stuff pre-XO sounds like a totally different artist. XO was his transition album, which usually works well for a great artist. It's his Rubber Soul. Figure 8, however is his Revolver, which makes it my personal fave.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Maximum Jack,

I'm a very big fan of Either/Or. So that one.

quote:

Figure 8 was his Revolver, so I'll have to go with that one.

I haven't listened to Figure 8 in ages, but I remember thinking it was pretty good, even if I liked his early stuff more. But the comparison is interesting, just because Smith was a huge Beatles fan. I read an interview with him that mentioned Joh Lennon was his hero, or something to that effect. But now that I think about it, I liked Figure 8 a lot more than s/t or Roman Candle. Y'know, I should listen to Figure 8 more.

I'd say XO was his big transition album. It's also my favorite of his, by a long shot. (Not to say the others are bad, XO's just the one I prefer.)

quote:

Originally posted by musicfanatic:
Question: what album would you start with to get to know Elliot's work? Keep in mind that I know nothing of his albums or songs, but from what I read, I'm pretty sure I'd get into it.

I would suggest to start with Figure 8. It's probably his most accessible. That one and XO are my favourites. They do not suffer from over-production as one said before. I think they rise above his other albums because of the great Beatle-esque production and arrangements.

I'd say:

1. Either/Or
2. XO
3. New Moon
4. From a Basement on a Hill
5. Figure 8
6. s/t

But, there is so little difference in quality in number 1 through number 6 that you can't go wrong with any of them.

But, for the ultimate introduction to Elliott, I would get his songs from the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. Most of them appear on Either/Or, but I think they were polished up nicely for the movie.

quote:

Originally posted by Chamberk:
I'd say XO was his big transition album.

Er, umm. This is what I meant, and I've edited my previous post to show that. I do group Either/Or in with the early-Elliott Smith. The main reason I like his transional records better, is because I have to be in the right mood to listen to the first three. Of course, when I'm in that mood, there's nothing better than E/O.

Man, I may only like Figure 8 (instead of love it) but jeez, "Junk Bond Trader" is one of his best, most intricately put-together songs.

quote:

Originally posted by Chamberk:
Man, I may only like Figure 8 (instead of love it) but jeez, "Junk Bond Trader" is one of his best, most intricately put-together songs.

my fave off that album indeed

Figure 8 and From a Basement on the Hill were really good for me but after a while I got tired to most of the non acoustic songs only pretty fast. Imo Elliott was best with his guitar and maybe some drums in the background only.
So then after a huge amount of listens to every album it goes:
1.Self-Titled
2.Roman Candle
3.New Moon
4.Either/Or
5.XO
6.From a Basement on the Hill
7.Figure 8

From the s/t to XO there is very little difference in quality while FaBotH and Figure 8 are a bit weaker.

quote:

Originally posted by brainofp:
Eithor/Or without a doubt

I second that. First album I've heard by Elliott and easily the best too. He's come close on some songs but as for an overall album, Either/Or.