Elliott Smith

Either/Or

First released1997

Either/Or was recorded primarily at Elliott Smith's home studio in Portland, Oregon during 1996 and early 1997 with minimal equipment and a DIY approach that became characteristic of Smith's work. Smith self-produced much of the album with assistance from engineer Rob Schnapf, who helped shape the intimate, lo-fi aesthetic that defined the record. The production utilized modest recording gear and heavily featured multitrack layering and overdubbing to create dense arrangements from sparse initial recordings. Released in February 1997 on Kill Rock Stars, the album's raw, homemade sound reflected both Smith's limited resources and his artistic preference for bedroom recording techniques over expensive studio settings. Either/Or marked a significant point in Smith's career, establishing him as a distinctive voice in 1990s indie rock before achieving wider recognition.