Tracklisting:

Speed Trials
Alameda
Ballad of Big Nothing
Between the Bars
Pictures of Me
No Name No. 5
Rose Parade
Punch and Judy
Angeles
Cupid's Trick
2:45 AM
Say Yes

This is the original tracklisting. The original pressing of the Japanese CD and expanded edition have additional songs.

Release Date: February 25, 1997



USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269]

This is the original US vinyl pressing, released in 1997 on Kill Rock Stars. There was not a vinyl pressing in any other country upon it's original release. It includes a glossy insert with lyrics and credits. It may also contain one of several Kill Rock Stars catalog sheets depending on time of purchase. According to the insert, the cover photo is by Debbie Pastor and the back photo by Joanna Bolme. Layout by Neil Gust. There appear to be two different variations with the label colors being the main difference. Both versions have the same matrix numbers:

Side A: KRS-269-A L-47874
Side B: KRS-269-B L-47874-X

- First variation has yellow center labels

- Second variation has tan center labels

Photos taken from discogs.com


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2002 reissue]

This is a 2002 reissue of the LP on Kill Rock Stars. The artwork and inserts appear to be the same as the original pressing. However, according to Discogs, the labels are different shades of yellow (see photos below). A few different variants on the matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched, variant 1): KRS-269-A L-47874
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, etched, variant 1): KRS-269-B L-47874-X 68282
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched, variant 2): KRS-269-A L-47874
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, etched, variant 2): KRS-269-B L-47874-X 6̶8̶0̶8̶2̶ 68282

Photos taken from discogs.com


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 180g 2012 reissue]

This is the first US pressing on 180g vinyl and has a sticker on the front shrinkwrap stating that it's on 180g. It also includes an mp3 code and comes with the usual insert. Matrix and barcode info taken from Discogs:

  • Barcode (Stickered): 759656026918
  • Matrix / Runout: KRS-269-A L-47874
  • Matrix / Runout: KRS-269-B L-47874-X

Photos taken from discogs.com.

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2014 180g mustard yellow swirl reissue]

This was the first time that Either/Or was released on colored vinyl. This pressing is on 180g vinyl that is mustard yellow swirl in color. It was a Newbury Comics exclusive and limited to 1,000 copies. It comes with the usual insert and an mp3 code. Barcode/matrix info from Discogs:

  • Barcode: 759656026918
  • Matrix / Runout (the 6 looks to be overwritten on top of another number this side only): L-47874 KRS-269-A
  • Matrix / Runout: L-47874-x KRS-269-B

Photos taken from discogs.com.



USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 180g 2017 reissue]

This appears to be a second Kill Rock Stars reissue on 180g vinyl (after the 2012 one). Like the 2012 pressing, this one also has a sticker on the front of the shrinkwrap that says “now on 180 gram vinyl”. However, this 2017 pressing has a Japanese style obi with details of other Elliott Smith releases on it. It’s the same obi that is on all the 2017 expanded edition vinyl pressings. As far as I know, this is the only non-expanded pressing of Either/Or that includes the obi. The matrix numbers on this pressing are also different than the 2012 180g pressing. It includes a card with an mp3 code. Barcode and matrix info from Discogs (although my copy which I am pretty sure is this same pressing has matrix numbers ending in /D and /E):

  • Barcode (Text): 7 59656 02691 8
  • Barcode (Scanned): 759656026918
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A): 146773E1/C
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B): 146773E2/B

Photos taken from discogs.com.


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2017 Expanded Edition, black vinyl]

In 2017, Either/Or was reissued with an expanded edition. It's a double LP with lots of extra tracks. It comes in a gatefold sleeve, unlike the original pressing. It was also given a new catalog number by Kill Rocks Stars for the US pressings, KRS620. The inner parts of the gatefold have a detailed history of the recording of the album, written by Larry Crane. The inner sleeves have additional photos and also lyrics for the extra tracks. There is also a Japanese style obi that wraps around the spine and details other Elliott Smith releases on Kill Rock Stars. The mp3 card that is included is postcard size and has a photo of tapes with handwriting on them showing that they contain different Elliott Smith recordings. The back cover also has a significant difference from the original. Instead of the song titles being down in the bottom right corner, the titles for the original songs are in the top left and the extra tracks are in the top right corner. See photos below for most of these details.

This is the black vinyl version, there are also several different colored vinyl versions of this release. The extra tracks are:

My New Freedom (live)
Pictures of Me (live)
Angeles (live)
Some Song (live)
Rose Parade (live)
New Monkey (keys)
I Don't Think I'm Ever Gonna Figure it Out (remixed/remastered)
I Figured You Out
Bottle Up and Explode! (alternate version)

Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A / Etched): KRS 620 A TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A / Stamped): 150467E1/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B / Etched): KRS 620 B TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B / Stamped): 150467E2/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side C / Etched): KRS 620 C TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side C / Stamped): 150467E3/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side D / Etched): KRS 620 D TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side D / Stamped): 150467E4/A1

Some photos taken from discogs.com..

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2017 Expanded Edition, test pressing]

This is a test pressing for the US 2017 expanded edition double LP of Either/OR on Kill Rock Stars (see entry above).  It comes in plain sleeves, not the normal album picture sleeve. Both records (sides a/b and sides c/d) have stickers affixed to the sleeves that show they were made at A to Z Media. The stickers mention that they are the deluxe edition and show the catalog number of KRS620. The actual album came out in 2017 but it looks like these text pressings were made in late 2016 based on the dates on the stickers. The matrix numbers are the same as the commercially sold album. 

​Thanks to Charlie for information and the photos.


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2017 Expanded Edition, buttercream splatter vinyl]

The 2017 expanded edition was released on several different colors of vinyl. This one is called buttercream splatter (see photos below but the splatter is a bit hard to see). According to Discogs, this is the mailorder version and was limited to 1,000 copies. Everything else about this release (extra tracks, gatefold, obi, mp3 card, etc.) appears to be the same as the black vinyl version listed above so please refer to that entry for additional photos. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Etched side A): KRS 620 A R TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped side A): 150467E1/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Etched side B): KRS 620 B TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped side B): 150467E2/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Etched side C): KRS 620-C TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped side C): 150467E3/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Etched side D): KRS 620 D TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped side D): 150467E4/A1



USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2017 Expanded Edition, yellow vinyl]

The 2017 expanded edition was released on several different colors of vinyl. This one is yellow vinyl (see photos below). This is the indie record store exclusive pressing and limited to 4,000 copies. Everything else about this release (extra tracks, gatefold, obi, mp3 card, etc.) appears to be the same as the black vinyl version listed above so please refer to that entry for additional photos. Matrix info according to Discogs:
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A / Etched): KRS 620 A TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A / Stamped): 150467E1/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B / Etched): KRS 620 B TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B / Stamped): 150467E2/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side C / Etched): KRS 620 C TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side C / Stamped): 150467E3/A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side D / Etched): KRS 620 D TELEGRAPH-GONSA
  • Matrix / Runout (Side D / Stamped): 150467E4/A1

Photos taken from discogs.com.







USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2019 Expanded Edition,  light brown and black pinwheel vinyl]

The  expanded edition of Either/Or was released on several different colors of vinyl. This one is  light brown and black pinwheel vinyl (see photos below). According to Discogs, this one actually came out in 2019. It's a Newbury Comics exclusive pressing and limited to 750 copies. Everything else about this release (extra tracks, gatefold, obi, mp3 card, etc.) appears to be the same as the black vinyl version listed above so please refer to that entry for additional photos. Matrix/barcode info according to Discogs only lists the barcode of 759656062046.

Photos taken from discogs.com.



USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2020 Expanded Edition,  rose parade red vinyl]

This 2020 reissue of the expanded edition of Either/Or was on what was called rose parade red vinyl. It's a  Zia Records exclusive pressing and limited to 500 copies. Everything else about this release (extra tracks, gatefold, obi, mp3 card, etc.) appears to be the same as other expanded edition LP's other than the round sticker on front that mentions the vinyl color and Zia Records. Barcode according to Discogs is 634457023970.

Photos taken from Discogs and eBay.

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 180g 2021 reissue]

This 2021 reissue of Either/Or is almost exactly the same as the 2017 non-expanded edition one. It's the regular version of the album but it's 180g and comes with the obi strip along the left side of the cover. The matrix numbers are slightly different from those listed on Discogs for the 2017 version, as of this writing. But my 2017 version actually has the exact same matrix as this one (ending in /D and /E). So I really see just about no other differences in these two pressings other than one thing. The barcode for the 2017 pressing was the barcode actually printed on the back cover. For this 2021 pressing, the barcode is covered with a new barcode that's on the shrink wrap. So to my eyes, having the shrink wrap on the records and seeing the different barcodes is really the main way to differentiate these pressings. Barcode and matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode (Scanned (Sticker)): 759656026956
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A): 146773E1/E
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B): 146773E2/D



​USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2021  orange vinyl reissue, Bandbox exclusive]

This 2021 reissue was available exclusively through the Bandbox vinyl subscription service. It was on orange  vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies. It came with a Bandbox sticker affixed to the shrink wrap that mentions it being on orange vinyl and has the Kill Rock Stars logo. The sticker also shows that it's numbered out of 1,000  with each copy hand numbered. This pressing is the standard version of the album, not the expanded version. It also comes with an obi strip along the left side of the packaging, similar to 2017 pressings and the 2021 non-expanded reissue. It also came with a 14 page booklet with articles of Elliott and some photos. The booklet came outside of the actual record packaging, not within the actual  sleeve. The insert that was inside the sleeve is the typical double-sided insert found in pretty much all Either/Or pressings.  The barcode  on the obi is 7 59656 02691 8. The matrix numbers on the record are laser etched and identical to the 2021 black vinyl reissue in the entry above:

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A): 146773E1/E
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B): 146773E2/D




USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2021  black vinyl reissue for KRS 30th anniversary]

Kill Rock Stars reissued Either/OR in 2021 with a special sticker on the shrink wrap to celebrate the label's 30th anniversary. My copy is still sealed but I am pretty sure it's black vinyl and nothing different or special on this pressing other than the hype sticker on the front. The  sticker has the KRS30 logo and a quote about the album from Erik Adams of AV Club

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; pink vinyl 2021 reissue]

This 2021 reissue of Either/Or is on pink vinyl. It was part of Kill Rock Stars' celebration of their 30th anniversary as a record label. Like many other KRS releases, it was given a very limited run on pink vinyl, just 91 copies. All copies are numbered. 

​In February 2024, Kill Rock Stars put a limited amount of additional pink vinyl copies up for sale for many of Elliott's records, including this one. These ones were not numbered but presumably everything else about these are the same as the 2021 pink vinyl copies. They were listed as a "warehouse find" so they probably had a few left over of each release, that they put for sale at this time. The few of them that I've seen have had a small round sticker on the shrink wrap that says "Ltd. Edition Colored Vinyl" and has the KRS logo on it.

The one major exception to all this was the self-titled pink copies sold in 2024. These were in regular, single LP self-titled sleeves as opposed to the 2021 pink copies that came with the coffee table book and two LP's. These may not have been leftovers but an actual full batch of 91-ish (it said 115 copies on the KRS bandcamp page) that were never sold in 2021 and were only sold in 2024.
​

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2021  yellow and black galaxy vinyl reissue]

This 2021 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Bull Moose record store. It is on what they call yellow and black galaxy  colored vinyl and limited to 250 copies. The front shrink wrap has a Bull Moose sticker explaining all the details of the pressing.

Photos taken from discogs.com

​USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620;  Expanded Edition, pink vinyl 2021 reissue]

This 2021 reissue of Either/Or is on pink vinyl and it's the expanded edition with two records and extra tracks. It was part of Kill Rock Stars' celebration of their 30th anniversary as a record label. Like many other KRS releases, it was given a very limited run on pink vinyl, just 91 copies. All copies are numbered.  Other than the pink vinyl and the numbered sticker, the rest of the packaging appears to be the same as past expanded editions except that it doesn't have the obi/wraparound part on the outside of the sleeve. It just has the regular gatefold sleeve only.

In February 2024, Kill Rock Stars put a limited amount of additional pink vinyl copies up for sale for many of Elliott's records, including this one. These ones were not numbered but presumably everything else about these are the same as the 2021 pink vinyl copies. They were listed as a "warehouse find" so they probably had a few left over of each release, that they put for sale at this time. The few of them that I've seen have had a small round sticker on the shrink wrap that says "Ltd. Edition Colored Vinyl" and has the KRS logo on it.

The one major exception to all this was the self-titled pink copies sold in 2024. These were in regular, single LP self-titled sleeves as opposed to the 2021 pink copies that came with the coffee table book and two LP's. These may not have been leftovers but an actual full batch of 91-ish (it said 115 copies on the KRS bandcamp page) that were never sold in 2021 and were only sold in 2024.
​


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2022 Jackpot Records reissue on clear vinyl with black and red splatter]

This 2022 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Jackpot Records. It is on clear vinyl with black and red splatter and limited to 1,000 copies. The front shrink wrap has a sticker explaining all the details of the pressing along with a quote about the album by Erik Adams of AV Club. Barcode according to Discogs: 
  • Barcode (Stickered): 759656026932


Photos taken from discogs.com


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2023  black vinyl with KRS sticker]

Kill Rock Stars reissued Either/OR with a KRS sticker on the shrink wrap in late 2022 or early 2023. The sticker is similar to the 2021 sticker used to celebrate the label's 30th anniversary. But this sticker just has the KRS logo and no mention of 30 years. They seemed to first show up on social media and in stores around mid-January of 2023. Presumably, the record itself is the exact same pressing as the 2021 pressing with the same matrix and everything but I'm not positive (both of mine are sealed). The  sticker has the same quote about the album from Erik Adams of AV Club that the 2021 sticker had.  The outside of the shrink wrap has a small "made in Czech Republic" sticker on the back of this pressing.

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2023 Newbury Comics reissue on orange inside clear vinyl]

This 2023 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Newbury Comics. It is on orange inside clear vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies. The front shrink wrap has a sticker explaining all the details of the pressing. 

Photos taken from discogs.com


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2023 Turntable Lab reissue on alameda twist vinyl]

This 2023 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Turntable Lab. It is on what they call alameda twist vinyl and limited to 600 copies. The front shrink wrap has a sticker explaining all the details of the pressing. 

Photos taken from discogs.com


​USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2023 Expanded Edition reissue, black vinyl non-gatefold version, barcode ending in 9]

This version of the Expanded Edition of Either/Or appears to have been released in 2023. There wasn't much in terms of announcements from Kill Rock Stars but sellers on Discogs all of a sudden had this version for sale in April 2023 or so. In many, many ways, it's very different from all past versions of the Expanded Edition. All past Expanded Edition pressings were getting hard to find and expensive around this time, so perhaps Kill Rock Stars wanted to reissue it again but without some of the bells and whistles of the past versions. 

This version is on black vinyl (as one of the 2017 pressings also was). However, this is the first Either/Or Expanded to come in just a normal record cover, not a gatefold cover. In addition, it doesn't have the obi/wraparound part on the spine (which was on all past pressings except the pink vinyl 91 copies one). Furthermore, the inner sleeves are just plain white inner sleeves, not nicer sleeves with photos and lyrics/credits. It does have one large square insert included. This insert doesn't have lyrics/credits but does have the recollections about the album that appeared on the inside part of the gatefold on all previous pressings. Even the spine is a bit different.  It has his name and album title as usual. But it's the only pressing that has the Kill Rock Stars logo on the spine and also a little legal(?) thing that says "LC35177". Finally, the record didn't come wrapped in shrink wrap but instead it came in a resealable, fold over plastic outer sleeve. This plastic outer sleeve has a new, unique hype sticker with a quote from Pitchfork on it. Please see photos for some of these different features. An extremely similar pressing (see entry below) seems to be almost exactly the same as this other than the barcode number being different and the hype sticker being on regular shrink wrap for that version.

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2023 Expanded Edition reissue, black vinyl non-gatefold version, barcode ending in 5]
This pressing of Either/Or expanded is extremely similar to the pressing in the entry above this one. Please see that entry for all the ways (non-gatefold sleeve, different inner sleeves, etc.)  that these both differ from early expanded versions of the album. I can only  notice two differences between this one and the above entry. This version has a barcode number ending in 5 instead of 9 (see photo below). And the hype sticker on this one is on regular shrink wrap. The entry above with the 9 barcode has the hype sticker on  a resealable, fold over plastic outer sleeve.


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2023 Expanded Edition reissue, marbled brown vinyl non-gatefold version]

This pressing of the Expanded Edition of Either/Or is almost exactly the same as the non-gatefold entry above. Please see that entry for all the differences in these two pressings compared to all past pressings of the expanded version (such as no obi, no gatefold, plain inner sleeves etc.). The main difference between this one and the black vinyl entry above is that this one is a marbled brown vinyl (according to a fellow fan who helped me with that since I'm colorblind). The one I have and one that another fan got didn't come with a hype sticker at all despite the black vinyl version above having one. I'm not sure if that's the case for all of the marbled brown vinyl copies of this pressing.  Please see photo below to see the color of the vinyl.


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; Newbury Comics 2023 Expanded Edition reissue, sandstone opaque mix vinyl non-gatefold version]

This pressing of the Expanded Edition of Either/Or is another of the non-gatefold, less frills version. Please see above two entries for all the differences in the non-gatefold pressings compared to all past pressings of the expanded version (such as no obi, no gatefold, plain inner sleeves etc.). This one is on sandstone opaque mix vinyl and was available exclusively through Newbury Comics. It was limited to 750 copies and came with a unique hype sticker on the outer shrink wrap. Please see photos below.

Photos taken from discogs.com and an email from Newbury Comics.



USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2023 Rough Trade Essential Edition reissue on opaque white/orange splatter vinyl]

This 2023 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Rough Trade. It is on opaque white/orange splatter vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies.  There is no hype sticker on the front of this copy but it does have an obi-type wrap along the spine. This obi states that it's a Rough Trade Essential Edition and it has a little blurb about the album and also calls it the Either Orange variant. The back of the obi has photos of other Essential Editions, such as ones by  Nick Drake and Big Star among others.

On Discogs, this is listed as being a European pressing. I'm not sure if that's correct or if it is really a US pressing. If you do know for sure, please let me know. The packaging does have a sticker saying that it was made in the Czech Republic. But there is a large pressing plant there that a lot of US companies use. So I don't think that definitely indicates that it's a European pressing. To the best of my knowlege, it was made in Europe but intended for sale as a US pressing.

Photos taken from discogs.com

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS620; 2024 Expanded Edition reissue, indie exclusive maroon vinyl non-gatefold version]
​This pressing of the Expanded Edition of Either/Or is another of the expanded versions but where it doesn't come in a gatefold sleeve. Presumably, the rest of the packaging is the same as the previous non-gatefold versions. Please see entries above for all the differences in the non-gatefold pressings compared to all past pressings of the expanded version (such as no obi, no gatefold, plain inner sleeves etc.). This pressing was exclusive to indie record stores, on maroon vinyl, and limited to 1,500 copies. It has a unique hype sticker on the front of the shrink wrap. Photo below taken from discogs.com.

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2024 Barnes & Noble reissue on orange galaxy vinyl]
This 2024 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Barnes & Noble. It is on what they call orange galaxy vinyl and limited to 1,200 copies. The front shrink wrap has a sticker explaining all the details of the pressing. 

Photos taken from discogs.com

USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2024 Fingerprints/New Monkey Studio reissue on blue/blue, white and cornflower vinyl in a cotton candy haze]
This 2024 reissue was first available at the All My Rowdy Friends tribute show in Los Angeles on August 6, 2024. It was sold at the Fingerprints Records merch booth. It later was sold by Fingerprints in their store and online. There were 300 copies of this pressing. According to the hype sticker on the front, the vinyl is called blue/blue, white, and cornflower in a cotton candy haze. The sticker also says this pressing is to celebrate Elliott's 55th birthday and the legacy of New Monkey Studio.

Some photos below are take from the Fingerprints website.

​
USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2024 Urban Outfitters reissue on patina rust splash vinyl]
This 2024 reissue of Either/Or was on Kill Rock Stars but was available exclusively through Urban Outfitters. It is on what they call patina rust splash vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies. The front shrink wrap has a sticker explaining all the details of the pressing and a quote from Erik Adams.

​Some photos below taken from discogs.com.


USA LP [Kill Rock Stars KRS269; 2024 indie exclusive reissue on clear red vinyl]
This 2024 reissue of Either/Or was available exclusively through independent record stores and is on clear red vinyl.  I don't believe the quantity produced of this version was announced. It has a hype sticker on the front with a quote from Erik Adams of AV Club.

Some photos taken from discogs.com


USA CD [Kill Rock Stars KRS269]

The artwork for the CD version of Either/Or is basically the same as the LP. There is an eight panel booklet with all the lyrics and credits (which was on a large square insert for the LP). According to Discogs, there are two different versions of this pressing, the only difference being in the matrix numbers. Those versions are:

Version 1:
  • Barcode: 7 59656-0269-2 5
  • Matrix / Runout: MADE IN CANADA BY AMERIC DISC 2E3X1<0241>KRS269CD
Perhaps actually a Canadian pressing?

Version 2:

  • Barcode: 7 59656-0269-2 5
  • Matrix / Runout: 150541-2XD2-6352-A *KRS 269*
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L792
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 2D4A

Photos taken from discogs.com.



USA Promo CD [Kill Rock Stars KRS269]

The US promo CD for Either/Or  was released in a plain jewel case with no front or back artwork. The song "No Name No. 5" is listed as "Gone at Last" on the track listing. The CD itself spelled Elliott's name with just one "t". It appears that some versions have a sticker of his name with the name spelled correctly. Other versions, based on Discogs pics, have a sticker or note that says "The correct spelling of the artists' name is Elliott Smith" but it's not necessarily placed over the misspelling. At least some copies have a sticker on the front of the jewel case with Girlie Action Media Contacts (see photo below, phone numbers blacked out by me). Matrix info according to Discogs:

Matrix / Runout: IFPI L792 150541-2XD2-6352-A *KRS 269*

Some photos taken from discogs.com.


USA CD [Kill Rocks Stars KRS620; 2017 Expanded Edition]

Like the vinyl version of the expanded edition, this one is two discs and comes with a Japanese style obi. Extra tracks are also the same. Things like Larry Crane's writing and the extra photos on the inner sleeves are all incorporated into the booklet for this one. The photo that was used as the mp3 card on the vinyl is used as the inner back artwork here. The strip along the left side of the CD packaging, where the front of the jewel case snaps in, is clear for this release and reads "either/or: expanded edition" within it (original 1997 CD pressing just had the non-clear black strip for this section). Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Disc 1): 01/19/2017 04:50.AM#6689 3127799 01
  • Mastering SID Code (Disc 1): IFPI LN09
  • Mould SID Code (Disc 1): IFPI JI1Q
  • Matrix / Runout (Disc 2): 01/19/2017 03:28.AM#6688 3127810 01
  • Mastering SID Code (Disc 2): IFPI LN09
  • Mould SID Code (Disc 2): IFPI JI02

Some photos taken from discogs.com.


USA Promo CD [Kill Rock Stars KRS620, 2017 Expanded Edition]

This is the promo CD for the 2017 expanded edition on Kill Rock Stars. It has all the same extra tracks but they are all on one CD instead of two like the commercial release. The back cover mentions the release date and also states that all tracks are FCC clean except for the ones with an asterisk (see photo below). It comes in a jewel case but does not have a clear tray like the commercial release and does not have the artwork on the inside part of the back insert. It also doesn't have the obi since it's a promo. Rather than a multi-page booklet, the front insert is just a two-sided paper with a paragraph about the album on the back side. Some copies may have a sticker on the front of the jewel case with contact info for a promo person. The sticker also mentions the songs that are not FCC clean and it mentions I Figured You Out as a recommended track.

Some photos taken from discogs.com


USA  CD [Kill Rock Stars KRS269, year unknown reissue in cardboard sleeve]

​I am not sure what year this pressing was put out but I first saw a copy of it in 2024. This reissue cd of Either/Or is the only pressing I've seen in a digipak/cardboard type packaging rather than a jewel case  (other than the expanded edition one in the entry below). It folds open like a gatefold LP sleeve. A lyrics booklet is included, similar to all other CD releases of the album. The main interesting difference is that the booklet doesn't have Elliott's photo on the front. Since it's not in a jewel case and therefore the booklet doesn't have to also serve as the album cover (the cardboard packaging does that), the booklet is just lyrics and no photo at all. The barcode on back is the same number as my original CD from the 90's but is smaller and turned 90 degrees from the original 90's KRS pressing.

USA  CD [Kill Rock Stars KRS620, year unknown expanded edition reissue in cardboard sleeve]
I am not sure what year this pressing came out but I first saw it in 2024. I believe that it's the first time the expanded edition of Either/Or was released in a cardboard sleeve instead of a jewel case. It still has the obi wrapped around the left side of the packaging.  I haven't seen the inside of the packaging. See photos below for front and back covers of this pressing.

USA Promo Cassette [Kill Rock Stars KRS269]

This is a full length promo cassette for Either/Or (as opposed to the sampler listed below). The spine is plain white with black lettering that says Elliott's name, the album name, Kill Rock Stars, and the catalog number of KRS269. The other part of the packaging simply has the songs listed. Notably, it lists No Name #5 as Gone At Last.  Both sides of the actual cassette has information for BMG Music Publishing along with the same information that's on the spine. 

Please see photos below. All photos were taken from Sean Croghan's Instagram account.


USA Promo Cassette sampler [No label or catalog number listed]

This very plain looking promo cassette looks to have been some sort of advance cassette for Either/Or but there is no record label information on it. The packaging has information for contacting Girlie Action publicity/marketing. The songs on it are Speed Trials, Angeles, Ballad of Big Nothing, Between the Bars, and Say Yes. The full-length promo cassette is listed in the entry above.

A very similar, but slightly different, version of this promo has turned up. It has the same five songs but the packaging says "new material" and is different format, font, etc. See photos below.

Some photos taken from discogs.com.
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Canada CD [Kill Rock Stars KRS269]

Canadian pressing of Either/Or. This is basically the same as the US CD pressing other than a few minor differences. First, the matrix area of the CD says "Made in Canada" as seen below, copied from Discogs. Also, the back of the CD case has a rectangular sticker attached to it that says "Made in Canada". As of this writing, people have changed it on Discogs to being a US pressing and not a Canadian pressing for technical reasons that are over my head and don't make sense to me. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 1): 3AWL1<0241>KRS269CD MADE IN CANADA BY AMERIC DISC
  • Mastering SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI L483
  • Mould SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI 811E
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 2): 3PVJ1<0241>KRS269CD MADE IN CANADA BY AMERIC DISC
  • Mastering SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI L481
  • Mould SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI 811F
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Europe LP [Domino WIGLP51; 2010 180g reissue]

The credits state that this 2010 reissue was made in the EU. It comes on 180g vinyl. Includes printed lyric sheet and mp3 code. Matrix info according to Discogs.

  • Matrix / Runout (side A): KRS-269-A WIGLP51A L-47874
  • Matrix / Runout (side B): WIGLP51 B2
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A variant 1): WIGLP51 A1 BE59159-01 A1
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B variant 1): WIGLP51 B1 BE59159-01 B1

Europe LP (Universal Music Group 0602547529411; 2017 180g reissue]

This is a 180g reissue that was part of Universal's Back to Black vinyl series (it's a single LP version of the album even though the 2LP version also was released in Europe in the same year). It comes with a lyric sheet and download code. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode: 602547529411
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A [etched]): 4752941 BH66529-01 A2
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B [etched]): 4752941 BH66529-01 B4 ✝F


Europe LP [Universal Music Group 0602557408744; 2017 Expanded Edition]

This is the European pressing of the expanded edition of Either/Or. Based on the pictures on Discogs, all artwork appears to be identical to the US version with the exception of record label logos and info, etc. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode (Printed on Obi strip): 6 02557 40874 4
  • Label Code: LC01846
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A): BH66539-01 A₂
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B): BH66539-01 B₁ 5740875
  • Matrix / Runout (Side C): BH66539-02 C₁ 5740876
  • Matrix / Runout (Side D): BH66539-02 D₁ 5740876

Europe CD [Universal 0602547529212; 2015 reissue]

According to Discogs,  this reissue CD came out in 2015. The packaging is mainly the same as most other Either/Or CD's  other than the typical record label/catalog number differences.  Although, one pretty big difference is that the back tray, where the CD fits into, is clear while it's  a black tray on most other (non-expanded edition) pressings. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode (printed): 602547529121
  • Matrix / Runout: [4x Universal logos] arvato 56202609/00602547529121 21
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI LB47
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 0787
  • Label Code: LC 01846


Europe CD [Universal 0602557408713; 2017 Expanded Edition]

This is the European pressing of the Expanded Edition CD . It's mostly the same as the US pressing of the expanded edition although there are a few differences. It does not come with the obi strip that is on the US pressing (or at least my copy doesn't have one).  The color of the CD's themselves are a slightly different shade than the US ones.  Also, the CD case flips open to access the second CD from a hinge on the right side of the case, rather than a center hinge as the US one has. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode (Text): 602557408713
  • Barcode (CD1): 602557408720
  • Barcode (CD2): 602557408737
  • Matrix / Runout (CD1): Sony DADC [1x Universal logo] 5740872 15 A00
  • Matrix / Runout (CD2): Sony DADC [1x Universal logo] 5740873 12 A00

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France CD [Labels 724384608620]

This is a French pressing of Either/Or on CD. It's on a record label called Labels. However, it still has the Domino logo on the back artwork and the CD itself. Credits written on the CD are in French. Other than record label info, the art and packaging are the same as other typical pressings. Based on an ad from a French magazine, it looks like this CD pressing came out on June 5, 1998 and not in 1997 when the album originally came out. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode: 72438 460862 0
  • Rights Society: Bel / BIEM
  • Label Code: LC 3098
  • Matrix / Runout: SNA 460862 05139814

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Japan CD [Bandai Music APCY-8403]

This Japanese pressing of Either/Or has lots of things different than the US Kill Rock Stars pressing. Since it's a Japanese pressing, it does have the obi along the left side of the packaging. Most of the obi is written in Japanese but it does say "Heatmiser" in English on it. In addition to the normal eight panel insert, there is a foldout insert that is square and has song titles in both Japanese and English and lyrics in Japanese.The back cover and the CD face have both the Bandai Music and Kill Rock Stars logos and the back cover has lots of credits in Japanese. One of the most important differences than any other pressing is that it has the bonus track "The Enemy is You". I believe at the time this was released, it was the only place to find this song. It was later released as a b-side of Baby Britain. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Barcode: 4 988015 071399
  • Matrix / Runout: APCY-8403 1 A1
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L153

Some photos taken from discogs.com..

Japan Promo CD [Bandai Music APCY-8403]

This promo CD for the 1997 Japanese pressing is almost identical to the commercial entry above. It has the same obi and inserts and also has bonus track "The Enemy is You". The main differences are that the obi has an additional sticker on it that says "sample,  for promotion only, not for sale" in Japanese and that the center circle of the CD says "sample not for sale" (see photos below).


Japan CD [P-Vine/Kill Rock Stars PCD-20025; 2008 reissue]

This Japanese CD pressing of Either/Or was released in 2008. Kill Rock Stars licensed P-Vine, a Japanese record label, to release a lot of Elliott's albums around 2007-2010 or so.   If you remove the obi, the CD packaging is basically a normal US CD, with the catalog number KRS269 on the spine. However, the obi has its own unique barcode and also catalog number of PCD-20025. The obi states that it's licensed to P-Vine and Blues Interactions, Inc. (which I think is part of P-Vine?) by Kill Rock Stars. The back part of the obi shows that the self-titled album was available from P-Vine at the time. It comes with the typical booklet but also a unique 12 page booklet  that is mainy in Japanese. Unlike the 1997 Japanese CD for Either/Or, this one does not have any bonus tracks, just the typical album.


Japan CD [Disk Union/Kill Rock Stars KRS620JP; 2017 Expanded Edition]

This is the Japanese pressing of the 2017 Expanded Edition. It has the same extra tracks as all the other expanded edition pressings. As usual, the Japanese pressing comes with an obi. It appears to have a unique insert, as if often the case with Japanese pressings, based on the photo below taken from Discogs. Discogs doesn't list matrix info but just a barcode of 4 988044 905221.

Photos taken from discogs.com


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UK LP [Domino WIGLP51; 1998 reissue]

This is the first UK pressing of Either/Or on vinyl. There are not many photos on Discogs but presumably the artwork is the same as the original KRS pressing other than with Domino logos and info on it instead of Kill Rock Stars. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched): WIGLP 51 A-1 L-47874 KRS-269-A
  • Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched): WIGLP 51 B-1 L-47874-x KRS-269-B


UK LP Test Pressing [Domino WIGLP51; 1998 reissue]

This is the test pressing for the 1998 Domino LP. According to Discogs, there were 10 of these test pressings made and it comes in an inner sleeve only, no outer jacket. Based on the photo from Discogs below, there is a sticker on the sleeve with the catalog number, artist, and album title.




UK CD [Domino WIGCD51; 1998 reissue]

This is the first UK pressing of Either/Or on CD as it was only pressed in the US, Canada, and Japan in 1997. This release came out in 1998. All artwork and packaging is basically the same as the Kill Rock Stars original CD other than Domino logos and information on this rather than Kill Rock Stars. There appear to be five different pressings of REWIGCD51 listed on Discogs but they seem to differ only in matrix info.

Photos taken from discogs.com.


UK Promo CD [Domino WIGCD51P; 1998 promo pressing]

This is the promo copy of the 1998 Domino CD pressing of Either/Or. The Discogs listing mentions this CD only coming in a clear plastic sleeve. However, copies have been seen in a jewel case with back artwork. The back insert and spine look somewhat homemade that it's possible that it didn't come that way from Domino? The back insert is printed on paper that has other printing on the opposite side (some random lines and numbers) that can be seen through the back. The CD face does mention the unique catalog number of WIGCD51P and that it is a promotional copy and not for sale.



UK advance promo cassette [Domino no catalog number; 1998]
This advance cassette on Domino Records presumably is from 1998 and was used to promote Either/Or's release in the UK (a year after its release in the US). From the photos I've seen, there's no date listed but it makes sense that it would be from the 1998 release. 

Photos below taken from ebay auction in 2024 by user bwfcdave01.


UK CD [Domino WIGCD51; 2003 reissue]

This 2003 reissue CD has the same catalog number as the 1998 CD released by Domino. However, the back cover of the 1998 pressing had a 1998 copyright date on it. This one goes back to using the 1997 original year but mentions the estate of Elliott Smith on the back cover (see photo below). Not many differences from the original pressing besides that. The CD tray is a bit of a different, shinier material than the original, at least on my copy. Matrix info according to Discogs:

  • Matrix / Runout (Variants 1, 2 & 3): WIGCD51 SP 35332 3022113
  • Mastering SID Code (Variants 1, 2 & 3): IFPI L055

Photo taken from discogs.com
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