Now, thanks to a new social media post by none other than Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr, The Folk Implosion, Sebadoh, Deep Wound), we have a bit more insight and context regarding the famous image. But while the new photographs are one of my favorite additions to the repress, providing yet another layer to what already feels like such an intimate record, nothing could be more iconic than the cover photo of Elliott, cigarette in hand, seated on the counter in front of a graffiti-tagged mirror under the synthetic warmth of public restroom lighting. Housed in a gatefold jacket, it comes with a postcard of the original master tapes and includes an insert of the original liner notes and some wonderful printed inner sleeves, which feature several “ never-before seen photos” of the late songwriter. The 20th anniversary expanded edition effort involves a couple of limited vinyl pressings that were remastered from the original tapes, and includes an extra disc consisting of “ five live multi-track recordings from the Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia WA in 1997, as well as three previously unreleased studio recordings and one b-side gem.” The care and attention put into the double LP is impressive, as it not only effectively reaches back to a musical triumph of the past, but presents brand new material and content of actual substance for both new and longtime fans alike. Earlier this year, the Kill Rock Stars label gave the deluxe reissue treatment to Elliott Smith‘s monumental third album, Either/Or.

Elliott smith either or cover