Rachael Yamagata
Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart
Release Date: Oct 7, 2008
Genre(s): Rock, Pop, Alternative
Record label: Warner Bros.
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Album Review: Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart by Rachael Yamagata
Very Good, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
The latter CD is the biggest surprise here, as it displays a swaggering confidence that wasn't as evident on Yamagata's previous releases. She raises her voice in volume and pitch, affecting a measured snarl during songs like "Sidedish Friend" and "Faster." The potent set ends with "Don't," a weary ballad that recalls Neko Case's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and flaunts an expletive-filled refrain. While the song's lyrics are aligned with the rest of Teeth Sinking Into Heart, its sound still emphasizes Yamagata's strength as a master of slow-moving, wounded love songs.
Based on rating B-
Rachael Yamagata’s first album was one of 2004’s best, but the charms of this follow-up aren’t evident on the first listen. Or second. The problem lies in the structure of Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart — it’s a ”record in 2 parts,” consisting of nine ballads followed by five grittier numbers. The result is a slog that’ll have you reaching for the happy pills.
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