Elliott Smith fans everywhere have all, by now, probably caught wind of the newly-announced 20th anniversary reissue of the 1997 album Either/Or. Naturally, one of the album’s tracks has now surfaced, offering fans a glimpse into the forthcoming extended remaster, which is expected to drop in March. Give a listen to “I Figured You Out” (above) and see what you think.
Smith wrote and recorded “I Figured You Out” as a demo for Mary Lou Lord, which she later reinterpreted beautifully on her ’97 EP Martian Saints! (listen here). The duo can be heard performing the tune together on the Grand Mal Studio Rarities compilation.
The “I Figured You Out” demo heard above was recorded by Smith at Heatmiser House in 1995 and subsequently mixed by Larry Crane of Portland’s Jackpot! Studios in 2010. Crane, along with the help of mastering engineer Adam Gonsalves, worked together on the soon-to-be-available Either/Or: Expanded Edition, using a plethora of new technology to remove excess noise and thus provide listeners with a clearer sound.
According to NYT, the reissue will feature all 12 tracks from Either/Or, as well as five live tracks from Smith’s 1997 performance at Yo Yo a Go Go festival in Olympia, WA. In addition, the collection will include the above previously unheard studio rendition of “I Figured You Out,” the B-side to 1996’s Either/Or single “Speed Trials,” a brand new version of “I Don’t Think I’m Ever Gonna Figure It Out,” an alternate recording of XO’s “Bottle Up and Explode!” with completely different lyrics and a brief keyboard take on “New Monkey” from the 2007 posthumous album, New Moon.
Either/Or: Expanded Edition will be available March 10 on double disc and double vinyl, the latter packaged in a gatefold jacket with original liner notes, a postcard of the original master tapes and a handful of previously unseen photos. Click here to pre-order from Kill Rock Stars.
Either/Or Expanded Edition Track List:
1. Speed Trials (remastered)
2. Alameda (remastered)
3. Ballad of Big Nothing (remastered)
4. Between the Bars (remastered)
5. Pictures of Me (remastered)
6. No Name No. 5 (remastered)
7. Rose Parade (remastered)
8. Punch and Judy (remastered)
9. Angeles (remastered)
10. Cupid’s Trick (remastered)
11. 2:45 AM (remastered)
12. Say Yes (remastered)
13. My New Freedom (Live) (unreleased)
14. Pictures Of me (Live) (unreleased)
15. Angeles (Live) (unreleased)
16. Some Song (Live) (unreleased)
17. Rose Parade (Live) (unreleased)
18. New Monkey (keys) (unreleased)
19. I Don’t Think I’m Ever Gonna Figure It Out (remixed/remastered)
20. I Figured You Out (unreleased)
21. Bottle Up And Explode (Alternate Version) (unreleased)