1. Elephants 2. What If I Leave 3. Little Life 4. Sunday Afternoon 5. Elephants Instrumental 6. Duet (ft. Ray LaMontagne) 7. Over And Over 8. Brown Eyes 9. Horizon 10. The Only Fault [Hidden Track]
Disc 2: Teeth Sinking Into Heart 1. Sidedish Friend 2. Accident 3. Faster 4. Pause The Tragic Ending 5. Don't
It's been four long years since Rachael Yamagata's hauntingly elegant solo debut, "Happenstance," awed fans of pop-laced folk rock, as well as listeners who'd only previously heard her distinct feminine vocals interlaced with funk fusion in the Chicago outfit Bumpus. This long awaited sophomore effort chronicles the perils of heartache and, after time, the subsequent realignment of a love life through a creative two-part album. Encapsulating the sadness, pain and inevitable questioning of a breakup in nine songs and one hidden gem, "Elephants" debuts with the title track, full of whispered words, dainty piano and moments of soaring orchestral strings. "What If I Leave," written more than a decade ago, feels like an auditory viewing window into the mind of a left lover grasping to understand, with propositions and what-ifs swimming around in a tepid bath of soft melody. Dark and vulnerable, "Elephants" continues on this emotional trajectory as Yamagata seems to work through the first few stages of grief--the misery, the anger, the loneliness. Sonically, the album takes a momentary upswing on "Sunday Afternoon," with her still reflective vocals gaining strength ("I won't live for you/or die for you/or do anything anymore for you") and a wailing electric guitar the perfect accompaniment at points, juxtaposed with more moody strings. The five-track second portion, "Teeth Sinking Into Heart," kicks off with the furious "Sidedish Friend," a short but potent burst of guitar-driven energy in which Yamagata lays down the rules for a part-time lover, while "Faster" tells the ex to get lost rock-star style: "I'm going faster/you're going backwards/you're going to miss me when I'm gone." It's in these final songs that the delicate songstress finds her feet again, her sad croon transforming into a sturdy--albeit still soft--voice full of clarity, personal strength and ownership. "Don't," the roller-coaster album's final track, may still sound oh-woe-is-me with the "Twin Peaks"-esque bassy notes and Yamagata's slow drawl, but listen to the lyrics and you'll realize this woman in transition will do just fine on her own, thank you very much.
Killer keyboards from Ino Hidefumi -- acoustic and electric lines, often supported with some very funky beats! Hidefumi's easily one of the best artists of this type working today -- a keyboardist with jazzy roots, but a hip-hop trained ear - one that makes his music really explode with a contemporary groove that's way beyond simple jazz and funk! While most cuts feature just interpolation of beats and keys, Ino's got a way of putting the whole thing together that's incredibly soulful -- especially on the tracks that feature Fender Rhodes, which seems to be a good portion of the set. Titles include "Sentimental Walk", "Theme Of 2 White Deers", "In A Perfect World", "The Way Is The Way Is The Way","Suicide Is Painless", "Loving Message", "Blood Is Thicker Than Water".
I gave up on CDs a long time ago. Yes, I do miss reading liner notes as well as the feeling I got from flipping through CD’s at Towers (R.I.P.) but I don’t miss paying $20 for what would probably become a shiny new coaster. I also don’t miss trying to pack up my entire collection every time I’ve moved. What I do miss are great album covers. Sure, they still make them but I mostly only see them on the 2″ screen on my iPod. So in memory of those times I’d like to give you my personal favorite (not “best” or “worst”) album covers of 2008 in no particular order.
Artist: Alain Bashung Album: Bleu Pétrole
When I first saw this it reminded me of 8 ½ by Fellini. After actually looking at the movie poster I realized it didn’t. But anything that even remotely reminds me of Federico Fellini is worth listing.
Artist: Anathallo Album: Canopy Glow
Iamatree from Duxbury, MA had this to say about this cover on emusic.com: “could this possibly be the worst album cover of 2008????????” The cover is actually Tim Lowly’s “Temma on Earth.” But if you’re like Iamatree you probably won’t care.
Artist: Grouper Album: Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill
This is just creepy.
Artist: Lil Wayne Album: The Drought is Over Vol 6
I have a love/hate relationship with Little Dewayne and I feel the same way about this cover. I love that someone went through all this work for a mixtape (1 of about 20 that he put out this year) but I hate it for the same reason. It’s so silly it’s cool and so cool it’s silly.
Artist: William Fitzsimmons Album: The Sparrow And The Crow
That is a magnificent beard. It only becomes more magnificent when you hear him sing out of it.
Artist: Wild Sweet Orange Album: We Have Cause to Be Uneasy
This cover is kind of cute, kind of sad, kind of funny and considering the album title, wholly appropriate.
Artist: The Twilight Sad Album: Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did
Anyone that saw my list from last year will remember this band. According to Amazon.com their next album ” Killed My Parents & Hit the Road” will be released on December 30, 2008. That day is also my birthday. Coincidence? Probably.
Artist: Pipsqueak Album: BABYDOLL
Do I really even need to say anything about this one?
Artist: MC Chris Album: MC Chris is Dead
With the track record of retired rappers staying retired I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear of mc chris and even if he really is “dead” by the looks of this cover I’m sure he’ll be back.
Artist: Sigur Ros Album: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
This is actually an image by Ryan McGinley. McGinleys’ show, I Know Where the Summer Goes, is a series of normal looking naked people doing normal things like grocery shopping, climbing trees, swimming, riding bikes, running across highways etc. etc. Definitely worth checking out.
