Alternate Versions From Either/Or

Subtle chord changes, the occasional drums and backing instruments. If you prefer, as I do, stripped down Elliott (the KRS albums) to full on Beatles-orchestration-bandleader Elliott (the Dreamworks) then this is your album. It holds together more cohesively than his previous, self-titled release. Be that as it may, I think Elliott never put out a perfect release. But his flaws are perfect in their way... Kinda like his buterfly wings voice, so apparently frail on the surface: haunting and fluttering- always on the verge of sounding like he was about to slip off-key... but he never did... Truth be told- There's a couple of songs on this that I can't stand, skip 'em every time. But the ones that I love (Between the Bars, Alameda, Speed trials, Angeles, Pictures of me, 2:45, The morning after, and especially No Name #6) are all among not only my hands-down Elliott picks but are also some of my most favorite songs, period. 'Between the Bars' alone would be worth this, easily one of the most achingly soulful, sad, sad songs ever to take shape in the human soul. This stands firmly poised on the precipice, intimating the tempestuous break from KRS and the switch to Dreamworks, right around all that Good Will Hunting madness... The answers may not be forthcoming on the why and how of Mr. Smith's demise. resign yourself to it. We can only guess at the inner workings of this guy- peering in through the windows he's left us. This is my favorite room, looking in.