One of the saddest facts of music today is the number of amazing artists who go overlooked by the majority who insist on focusing on MTV’s ‘pop stars’. Since the first time I heard Rachel Yamagata she has been one of those who naturally burn so bright beyond the spotlight of the Britney and Christina’s. Her latest album “Elephant… Teeth Sinking In” has yet to leave the cd player in my car since I acquired it, and as much as I love all 15 songs, there is one single song on the album that I am obsessed with, “Elephants”.  The simple piano, mournful cello, and gut-wrenching lyrics are hard to deny, and in true Laurel fashion, I’ve had it on repeat for seven days.  Somewhere in the midst of a typical lunch conversation yesterday, two friends and I made the observation that two of us were drawn to music that was poetic in its lyrics, while the other focused more on the emotions and feelings evoked from the instruments.  Yamagata has the ability to influence both classes of music lovers, but not with what she says or plays but in what isn’t spoken.  The silent pauses between each phrase and lingering chords are the tools she uses to masterfully guide the listener into her private world.  Instead of presenting you with her newest album in its entirety, I’m hoping that if I give you a taste you’ll go out and buy the whole thing.

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Elephants:

If the elephants have past lives yet are destined to always remember
It’s no wonder how they scream. Like you and I, they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the planes, dirtying up their beds,
Watching for some sign of rain to cool their hot heads

And how dare that you send me that card
When I am doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember
When all I want is just forget you

If the tiger shall protect her young, then tell me how did you sleep by?
Oh, my instincts have failed me for once. I must have slept the whole night
And I am dreaming of them with their kill, tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking into heart

And how dare that you say you’ll call
When you know I need some peace of mind
If you have to take sides with the animals
Won’t you do it with one who is kind?

If the hawks in the trees need the dead
If you are living you don’t stand a chance
You can lie there and say you are fed
But there are only two ends to this dance

You can flee with your wounds just in time
Or lie there as he feeds,
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed

So for those have you falling in love
Keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right
Throw yourself in the mist of danger
But keep an eye open at night

My all-time favorite Rachel song : Reasons Why