Elephant Eyelash
by Why?
  • Record Label: Anticon
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2005
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Filter
    95
    Welcome to the Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain of our modern indie times. [Filter Mini, Oct 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Elephant Eyelash is fantastic, an indie rock record that nicely balances absurdity and directness, pop hooks with stoned weirdness.
  3. PopMatters
    80
    Wolf has surpassed his personal best with one of the best records released this year.
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    The rich--and sometimes gorgeous--glitch-folk of Elephant Eyelash certainly does the trick. [Nov 2005, p.226]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Playlouder
    80
    The most poetic, bookish and winsome of the anticon crew, his new album as Why? sees [Wolf] creating lavish wordscapes over the deceptively straightforward folk rock music.
  7. Uncut
    80
    Lurch[es] from homecooked early Beck to the expansive hooks of Brian Wilson or Todd Rundgren. [Dec 2005, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Pitchfork
    78
    Elephant Eyelash sounds less crisp and less striking than the folk-plus-beats arrangements of 2003's Oaklandazurasylum, but it brings more heart; where that earlier album's lyrics crackled with the anxiety of beating yourself up after a bad day at school, Elephant Eyelash soars like the last songs on prom night.
  9. Almost Cool
    73
    Yes, the almost nonsensical, stream-of-consciousness lyrics are still there, but the sense of songwriting, melody, and even depth of instrumentation has been expanded upon.
  10. Urb
    70
    Damn decent stuff. [Oct 2005, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Under The Radar
    70
    Why? packs so much musical and lyrical detail into his songs that you anxiously await each song to see if he can do it again. On Elephant Eyelash, he does it twelve times. [#11]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Mojo
    70
    Finds [Wolf] firmly ensconced within a four-piece-band format, but still coming up with the lyrical goods on a regular basis. [Dec 2005, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. cokemachineglow
    68
    A disappointingly safe album of reasonably enjoyable pop songs by interesting musicians masquerading as average ones.
  14. Prefix Magazine
    60
    This is an unambitious album in the best way.
  15. Stylus Magazine
    25
    It’s not that change is bad, but Wolf is moving into areas already well covered and away from ideas that beg for more exploration.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. [Anonymous]
    Oct 28, 2005
    10
    why? has done it again, after continually growing as an artist through multiple releases, he unleashes his tightest and most powerful album. why? has done it again, after continually growing as an artist through multiple releases, he unleashes his tightest and most powerful album. full of indie, hip-hop, electronic, spoken word, poetry, and all around goodness. may not be for everyone, as most people are idiots, therefore if you like this album, you'll have passed my test.… Full Review »
  2. Smushbag
    Jun 17, 2011
    9
    Absolute orgy for the ears. Wolf is a minor musical/poetic genius. Lyrics that unfurl slowly with each and every listen. Still preferAbsolute orgy for the ears. Wolf is a minor musical/poetic genius. Lyrics that unfurl slowly with each and every listen. Still prefer alopecia personally but both are extremely underrated/ undiscovered LP's. I love loving Why? is what I'm hear to say.… Full Review »
  3. Johnm
    Apr 16, 2008
    10
    A captivating record which improves on each listen. The album has songs on it that just don't get old (like rubber traits) and little A captivating record which improves on each listen. The album has songs on it that just don't get old (like rubber traits) and little filler material. Wolf put a lot of time in creating the melodies on this record. Worth buying.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »