Cigarettes & Gasoline

Emerson Hart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 17, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Manhattan Records
• ASIN: B000Q7ZMTQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,137 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Though millions already appreciate former Tonic frontman Emerson Hart's poignant lyrics, smart songcraft and evocative voice, Hart's debut solo album, Cigarettes and Gasoline, begins a new chapter for the renowned performer. His 12-song debut disc is a cathartic journey and intimate lyrical portrait that includes the irresistible, melodic "Run To," the thoughtful and unforgettable "I Wish the Best For You," and the memorable first single, "If You're Gonna Leave." As lead singer for alt-rock radio and concert favorites Tonic, Hart enjoyed platinum sales, chart topping singles and albums--including the # 1 hit "If You Could Only See"--and two Grammy nominations in 2003. Striking out own his own with Cigarettes and Gasoline proved "freeing and educational in the way that I had to learn to again trust my instincts about what is best," Hart relates. "That was the greatest experience for me in making this record; I learned to trust myself as a writer."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing Music, Lyrics, and Production, July 20, 2007

By 

D. Webb "-music fan for life" (Greenville, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cigarettes & Gasoline (Audio CD)

Too many times with solo break-out artists, the first album tends to sound forced and overproduced. With the exception of a few tracks, the production quality is excellent and remains understated on this album. The focus remains were it should with a singer/songwriter, on the lyrics and the guitar. I was fortunate to see Emerson play most of these songs live in January and was pleased that I didn't have to wade through excessive backing vocals and session players to recognize the songs on the first listen.

The high points of the album include the acoustic song, "Green Hills Race For California", the first single, "If You're Gonna Leave", and the awesome lyrics of "Flyin'" and "When She Loves You". This CD may not leave my player for weeks.

If you enjoyed the band Tonic for the lyrical depth and vocals, you will not be disappointed with this album.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing, October 20, 2007

By 

DanMan7884 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cigarettes & Gasoline (Audio CD)

Honestly, this is by far my favorite album of the year, and one of my favorites in a long time. The songwriting is simply sensational, the music is diverse and offers something for everyone. There are some very acoustic, bare-sounding tracks, some very well produced full tracks, and lots in between. If You're Gonna Leave is everything that a hit single should be, and Cigarettes and Gasoline is a ballad which is a heartfelt remembrance of a simpler time. I would highly recommend this as "chill" music. If you want hard rock, go elsewhere, but if you want mellow, but catchy riffs along with well-written and inspired lyrics, you want this album.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Last! Solo Effort From Emerson Hart, and it's a keeper, August 10, 2007

By 

Laurelnd "Kimsmom" (Bismarck, ND United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cigarettes & Gasoline (Audio CD)

Like other reviewers, I've been a fan of Emerson Hart since Tonic first hit the airwaves. I love his lyrics and music, and the amazing things he can do with his voice. I wasn't as in love with the music of Tonic, after the first CD, but Hart remains a favorite. (Although like many, I believe Tonic was underrated and underplayed, I think it may be going too far to say they were the MOST underrated! Close to it, maybe - but they did have platinum sales, so hey, they did better than Nick Drake when he was alive!)

All the songs on this CD are solid, with great music and great lyrics, and none, thankfully, suffer from over-production. I think the first single, "If You're Gonna Leave," will soon suffer from over-air-play, and I already hear faint distant criticism of it as puff-pop with a great hook. It is MUCH more than that, and I hope the critics see that. Although I like them all, two of my personal favorites are "Green Hills Race for California;" the guitar work is brilliant, and mixing it with the cello was the perfect touch; the lyrics are both subtle and sad. My other favorite is the title track, "Cigarettes and Gasoline." It takes us back to Hart's Irish roots, much as "Celtic Aggression" did on Tonic's Lemon Parade, but with less aggro and more wistfulness, as he recalls fishing boats in the Irish morning. I miss, just a little, Tonic bassist Jeff Russo's harmonies, but Hart has assembled a fantastic line of musicians here and his voice is all that's needed.

One thing that struck me is that this sounds like a break-up album - yet Emerson Hart thanks his wife Nicole: "You are and will always be my inspiration" and he means it. Amazing. This is, and will be for many fans, one of those rare CDs where you like every song, and don't want to fast-forward past any of them to get to that "one song." If you buy this, you won't be sorry!