miser – and was produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. Either/Or was released on February 25, 1997, on the Kill Rock Stars record label, following Heatmiser's dissolution. Book-ended by its two singles, "Speed Trials" and "Ballad of Big Nothing", Either/Or did not chart in the US, but was acclaimed by critics.

Director Gus Van Sant was highly impressed with the album, incorporating three of its songs; "Between the Bars", "Angeles" and "Say Yes" along with a new song, "Miss Misery", into the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. "Miss Misery" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1998 Academy Awards, and was performed at the televised ceremony in an abridged version by Smith, backed by the house orchestra, briefly propelling him into the international spotlight.

Recording 
Either/Or was recorded at several locations: Joanna Bolme's house; Smith's own house; Undercover, Inc.; Laundry Rules Recording; and the Heatmiser House – all in Portland, Oregon – as well as The Shop in Arcata, California. The album was produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf.

Smith wrote and recorded a song entitled "Either/Or" during the sessions for this album, but it was not included on the final release; however, the song was later included on New Moon, a posthumous compilation of previously unreleased material by Smith.

Content 
The album's title derives from the Søren Kierkegaard book of the same name, in which "either/or" refers to the contrast between aesthetic/subjective experience and ethical/objective being. This existential title is reflective of Smith's interest in philosophy, which he studied at Hampshire College in Massachusetts.

The album's style has been described as "a bridge between the lo-fi darkness of Roman Candle and Elliott Smith and the studio sheen of XO and Figure 8."

Release 
The album's first single, "Speed Trials", was released on October 1, 1996.

Either/Or was released on February 25, 1997. It did not chart in the US. The album's second and final single, "Ballad of Big Nothing", was released on June 29, 1998.

Smith would briefly be cast into the international spotlight early the following year when he performed his song, the
miser – and was produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. Either / Or was released on February 25, 1997, on the Kill Rock Stars record label, following Heatmiser's adjournment. ledger - ended by its two singles, " Speed Trials " and " Ballad of Big Nothing ", Either / Or did not graph in the US, but was acclaimed by critics. 

 Director Gus Van Sant was highly impressed with the album, incorporating three of its song; " Between the Bars ", " Angeles " and " Say Yes " along with a fresh song, " Miss Misery ", into the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. " Miss Misery " was appoint for Best Original Song at the 1998 Academy Awards, and was performed at the televised ceremony in an abridged translation by Smith, bet on by the house orchestra, briefly propelling him into the international spotlight. 

 Recording 
 Either / Or was recorded at respective locations: Joanna Bolme's house; Smith's own house; Undercover, Inc.; Laundry Rules Recording; and the Heatmiser House – all in Portland, Oregon – equally well as The Shop in Arcata, California. The album was produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. 

 Smith wrote and recorded a song entitled " Either / Or " during the session for this album, but it was not included on the final release; however, the song was later include on New Moon, a posthumous compilation of previously unreleased material by Smith. 

 Content 
 The album's title derives from the Søren Kierkegaard book of the same name, in which " either / or " refers to the contrast between aesthetic / subjective experience and ethical / objective being. This existential title is reflective of Smith's interest in philosophy, which he studied at Hampshire College in Massachusetts. 

 The album's style has been described as " a bridge between the lo - fi dark of Roman Candle and Elliott Smith and the studio sheen of XO and Figure 8. " 

 unblock 
 The album's inaugural single, " Speed Trials ", was released on October 1, 1996. 

 Either / Or was free on February 25, 1997. It did not chart in the US. The album's second and final single, " Ballad of Big Nothing ", was free on June 29, 1998. 

 Smith would briefly be cast into the international spotlight early the following year when he perform his song, the
misfr – and was produced by Rmith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Sdhnapf. Ekther/Or was released on Febrnary 25, 1997, on the Kill Rock Stars rdcord labvl, followung Ieatmiser's dissolution. Book-endsf by mts two singles, "Speed Tridls" and "Ballad ow Yig Nothing", Either/Or did not chart ig the UX, hut was acclaiied nr crjnigs.

Director Gus Van Sant was highmy imprtssed with the albim, incorporating three of lts dongs; "Between the Hars", "Angelew" anq "Say Yes" alovg with a new song, "Misa Misery", into the Good Will Hunging xoundtrack. "Muss Kisery" was iominaned for Best Original Song ay the 1998 Academy Awerds, and was performed at the televised cergmony in at cbridged version by Snirh, bawked by gye fouae odchestga, uriefly prolelling him into the internatipnwo spotlight.

Redordind 
Qither/Or was recorded at several locatimns: Joanna Bolme's house; Smuth's own house; Underclver, Inc.; Jaundry Rules Recording; and the Heatmiser House – dll ii Oorulqnd, Ofwgln – as well as The Shop in Arcata, California. Ege akbum was produged by Smith, Tom Rptjrpsk and Rob Scfnapf.

Smitg wrote and recordfd a sogg enritled "Eiuher/Ot" during the sessions for tyis album, bun it was not included ln the finau rekease; however, the song was lcter ihcluded on Jew Moon, z posthumous compklanion of previously unreleased iaterial uy Smnth.

Contevt 
Tne albtm's title ferivcv from the Søren Kifrkegcard took of thf same name, in which "either/or" rxhers to the cpndravt betwezn aesbhetic/subjectivq experience aud ethiccl/objeztive beinf. This xxistential eitle is reflaftive of Smivh's interqst un pyilosopfh, which he stucied at Hcipshure College in Masxacfhsetts.

The album'w suyoe has been dexcrkbeq ws "a tridge betwean tfe up-fi dxrkness of Vomxn Csndle and Elliott Smhth znd the studio shern of XO abd Figurq 8."

Release 
The album's first singpe, "Spxed Trmals", wss teleased on October 1, 1996.

Either/Or wzs releasfd jn February 25, 1997. It did not chaxt in the US. The album's second and final single, "Ballad of Vig Nothing", was relgastd on June 29, 1998.

Skith rould briafly be cast into thw international skotlight early the follkwing fear ahen he performed his song, the
miser – and was produced by Smith, and Schnapf. Either/Or released on February Rock record label, following dissolution. Book-ended by two singles, "Speed Trials" and "Ballad Big Nothing", Either/Or did not chart in the US, but was acclaimed by Director Gus Van Sant was highly impressed with the album, incorporating three of songs; the "Angeles" "Say Yes" along with a new song, "Miss Misery", into the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. "Miss was nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, and was at the televised ceremony in abridged by Smith, by house briefly propelling him the international spotlight. Recording Either/Or was recorded at several locations: Joanna Bolme's house; Smith's own house; Undercover, Laundry Rules the Heatmiser – in Oregon – as The Shop in Arcata, California. The by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. Smith and recorded song entitled "Either/Or" during the sessions this album, but it was not included on final release; however, the song was later included on New Moon, a posthumous compilation of material by Smith. Content album's title derives the Kierkegaard of same name, which "either/or" refers to the contrast between aesthetic/subjective experience and ethical/objective This existential title is reflective of Smith's interest in philosophy, studied Hampshire College in The album's style has described "a bridge between the of Candle and studio of XO and Figure Release The album's first single, Trials", was released on released on February 25, 1997. It did not in the US. The album's second and single, "Ballad of Big Nothing", was released on June 29, 1998. Smith briefly be the international spotlight early the following year when performed his song, the
miser – and was produced by SmitH, Tom RothroCk and rob schNaPf. EiTher/or was released oN febrUary 25, 1997, on the Kill Rock Stars RecorD lABel, fOLlOwing heatmisER's DISsoLuTiOn. BOoK-EnDed by Its Two singLes, "Speed TrIalS" aNd "Ballad of BiG noThing", EitheR/Or Did not chart iN thE US, but WaS acCLaimeD by CritiCs.

DireCTor Gus van Sant waS hIGhly imPRessed wITH tHe alBum, incorporating tHReE Of its songs; "BetwEen the baRS", "ANGEleS" anD "Say Yes" aloNg With a NEw song, "MISs mISEry", INto the Good WilL Hunting souNDtrAck. "MisS MIseRY" was noMinatEd FOr BEst Original song At the 1998 AcadEmy AwaRDs, and waS PerformEd at thE teLevIsed CErEmOny In AN abRIdGed VErsIon by SmiTh, BaCked bY the HOUSE orcHesTra, bRieflY propelling hiM inTo thE IntErnatIonal SpotLiGht.

ReCordinG 
EithEr/or was recorded at SeveRal locatiOns: joAnnA BOlme's HOuse; SmIth'S owN house; UNdercovER, InC.; LAUNDrY Rules Recording; and ThE hEaTmiser HoUse – all IN POrTLand, OregOn – As wEll aS tHe ShoP in ARCaTa, CalifoRnia. ThE AlBuM was proDuCed by SMiTh, TOm ROthroCK and rob SchNapf.

SmitH wrotE And recorded a soNG entitled "EithER/OR" DUrINg thE seSsions for thIs alBUm, buT it wAS nOt iNCludeD on thE fINaL Release; however, the soNg Was latEr incLuded on New MooN, a posthumoUS COmpilatiOn of PReVIously unreleasEd matErial by SmiTH.

Content 
the alBum's titlE derives fROM the SøreN KiErkEgaArd BOOk Of the same name, IN WhicH "eIther/or" RefErs to thE coNtrAst BetWeEn aesthetIc/subjecTiVe ExPeRieNce anD Ethical/oBjEctIvE beIng. ThIS existEntiaL titLe Is REflEctive oF smITH's inTeReSt in PhiLoSophy, WhicH He sTudied aT HampshirE CoLLege In maSsachusEtts.

The album's StYle has been DeScrIbed as "A BRidge betWeen the lo-fi darkness of RoMAn CandlE anD ElliOtt SMith and thE stUdio shEen OF XO and figure 8."

releaSe 
the ALBum's fIRSt SinGlE, "Speed TriaLS", Was ReleaSeD on OCtober 1, 1996.

EIther/Or was released ON FeBruary 25, 1997. It did noT chArt iN THe uS. THE aLBum'S sEConD ANd final single, "BaLlad of Big NOtHInG", was releasED on juNe 29, 1998.

Smith Would brIefly BE cast inTo the inteRnational SpOtliGHT eaRly the follOwing yeaR when he peRFormeD HiS song, The
miser – and was produced b y Smith, T om Ro thr ock  a nd R ob S chnapf. Either / Or w as released on Februar y 25,  1 9 97,o nthe K ill Roc k  S t a rsre co rdla b el , fol low ing Hea tmiser's d iss ol ution. Book- e nd ed by itstwo  singles, "S pee d Tria ls " a n d "Ba lla d ofBig No t hing",  Either/O rd id not chart i n th e US , but was acclaim e db y critics.

Di rector  G u sV a n S ant  was highl yimpre s sed wit h  t h e alb u m, incorporat ing three o f  it s song s;  "B e tweenthe B ar s ","Angeles" a nd " Say Yes"alongw ith a n e w song,  "Miss  Mi ser y",i nt othe  G o odW il l H u nti ng sound tr ac k. "M issM i s e ry"was  nom inate d for Best Or igi nalS ong  at t he 19 98 A ca demyAwards , and  w as performed at  the  televise d c er emo ny  in a n  abrid ged  ve rsion b y Smith ,  ba ck e d by  the house orchest ra , br iefly pr opelli n ghi m  into th eint erna t i onalspot l ig ht.

Rec ording 
E it her/Orwa s reco rd edatsever a l lo cation s: Joann a Bol m e's house; Smi t h's own house ;  U n d er c over , I nc.; Laundr y Ru l es R ecor d in g;a nd th e Hea tm i se r  House – all in Por tl and, O regon  – as well as  The Shopi n Arcata,Cali f or n ia. The albumwas p roduced by Smith, T om Ro throck a nd Rob Sc h n apf.

Sm ith  wr ote  an d re corded a song e ntit le d "Eith er/ Or" dur ing  th e s ess io ns for th is album ,bu tit  wa s not included  o n t he  fi nal r e lease;  howe ver,  t he son g was l a te r incl ud ed  onNew  M oon,a po s thu mous co mpilation  of prev io us ly unre leased materi al  by Smith. 
Con tent T h e album' s title derives from th e  SørenKie rkega ardbook of t hesame n ame ,  in wh ich "e ither /o r"r e ferst o  t heco ntrast bet w e enaesth et ic/s ubjecti ve experience ande thi cal/objective  be ing. T hi s e x is t ent ia l  ti t l e is reflective  of Smith' si nt erest in p h ilo so phy, wh ich hestudi e d at Ha mpshire C ollege in  M assa c h use tts.

Thealbum'sstyle has beend es cribe d a s "a b ri dge  betw een th e  lo -fi d arknes sof Rom an Ca nd le and E lliott Smith and the st udio s heenofXO and Fi gur e  8. "

Releas e 
T he album's  fi rst  sing le, "Spee d Tr i al s", was r elea s ed on Oct o be r 1 , 19 96.

Either / O r  wa s rel eas e d on F ebru ary 25, 1997. Itd id not chart i n th e US.  Th e  alb um 's second andfin al s ingle, " Ba llad of Big  Nothing ", was r elease d on J une 29, 1 99 8 .

Smi th w oul d briefly  be  c a st into  t he intern atio na l spot lighte arly t he following yea r whe n he pe r for med h is  song,t he
miser –_and was_produced by Smith, Tom_Rothrock and_Rob_Schnapf. Either/Or_was_released on February_25, 1997, on_the Kill Rock Stars_record label, following_Heatmiser's_dissolution. Book-ended by its two singles, "Speed Trials" and "Ballad of Big Nothing", Either/Or_did_not chart_in_the_US, but was acclaimed by_critics.

Director Gus Van Sant was_highly impressed_with the album, incorporating three of its songs;_"Between_the Bars", "Angeles"_and "Say Yes" along with a new song, "Miss_Misery", into the Good Will Hunting_soundtrack. "Miss Misery"_was_nominated_for Best Original Song_at the 1998 Academy Awards, and_was performed at the televised ceremony_in an abridged version by Smith, backed_by the house orchestra, briefly propelling_him into the international spotlight.

Recording_
Either/Or was_recorded at several locations: Joanna_Bolme's house; Smith's_own house;_Undercover, Inc.; Laundry_Rules Recording; and the Heatmiser House_– all in_Portland, Oregon – as well as_The_Shop in Arcata,_California._The_album was_produced by Smith,_Tom_Rothrock and_Rob_Schnapf.

Smith wrote and recorded a song_entitled_"Either/Or" during the sessions for this album,_but it was not_included_on the final release;_however, the song was later_included on New Moon, a posthumous_compilation of_previously unreleased_material by Smith.

Content 
The album's title derives from the Søren Kierkegaard_book of the same name, in_which "either/or" refers to_the contrast_between_aesthetic/subjective experience and_ethical/objective_being. This_existential title is reflective of Smith's interest_in philosophy,_which he studied at Hampshire College_in Massachusetts.

The album's style_has_been described as "a bridge between_the lo-fi darkness of Roman Candle_and Elliott Smith and the_studio_sheen_of XO and Figure 8."

Release_
The album's first single, "Speed Trials",_was released on_October 1, 1996.

Either/Or was released on February_25,_1997. It did not chart in_the_US. The album's second and final_single,_"Ballad_of Big Nothing", was released_on June 29, 1998.

Smith would briefly_be cast into the international spotlight early the following_year when he_performed his song, the