The Wait is Over

Following label disputes, a brief touring stint with a musically-reformed Mandy Moore and five years of blogged promises of a Sophomore release, Rachael Yamagata - the songstress out of Virginia Beach - released the two-part "Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into" this week riding a sigh of relief to the sixth position on the iTunes bestseller list.

"Elephants," the first in the two-part series, harkens back to the misty intrigue of 2004's "Happenstance." Replacing chick rock crescendos with subtle whispers over intricate soundscapes that sound more Sigur Ros than Sarah McLachlan, Yamagata has not lost herself. "Elephants" is hands down the best of the lot, at once recalling the simplicity of songwriting that has made Yamagata the darling of folksy artists like Bright Eyes, (the post-Candy) Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams, and showing a complex interplay of music and lyric.

Admittedly, the second four-song set, "Teeth Sinking Into..." is a bit of a stretch. Taking the precarious angstiness of songs like "Letter Read" a bit over the edge, the second in the two part collection seems an unecessary addition to a release that otherwise would've shown an elegant progression for Yamagata. Rock-tendencies aside, a satisfying release that almost makes the four year wait worth it...Almost.