Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart
by Rachael Yamagata
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The first disc, Elephants, pitches its tent closer to the Happenstance camp with lushly textured ballads, while Teeth Sinking Into Heart plays up the singer's debt to rock artists like PJ Harvey. The latter CD is the biggest surprise here, as it displays a swaggering confidence that wasn't as evident on Yamagata's previous releases.
  2. Mojo
    80
    Elephant's songs of love and death are heart-wrenchingly sad, movingly performed and sung in a poignant, luminous voice betwixt pop and country folk-country. [Apr 2009, p.110]
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  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    Elephants is a hushed mood piece that's all wet vowels and damaged love; Teeth is filled with rock & roll bite and gloves-off verses.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    The result is a slog that'll have you reaching for the happy pills. That said, Yamagata's delivery is gorgeous.
  6. Billboard
    80
    On the first part (Elephants), she sticks to brooding breakup ballads with long, languid piano chords and lush string arrangements, the perfect soundtrack for the lovesick....The mood changes radically on the second part, when Yamagata emerges with gritty, garage-rock tunes a la PJ Harvey, delivering defiant hooks with the energy of someone taking revenge.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. Guiesus
    Jan 2, 2012
    10
    In "Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart" Rachael Yamagata approaches heartbreak from a darker and developed perspective - in comparison withIn "Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart" Rachael Yamagata approaches heartbreak from a darker and developed perspective - in comparison with her debut album "Happenstance" - as one who's been through heartache and is aware of the dangers and deceptions of love, yet finds herself in a place where she's willing to try. Blues, experimental rock ballads (characterized by the constant, but never unappealing reverberating guitar) and her signature piano pop make "Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart" a complete album that should not be missed by anyone.… Full Review »
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