Tonic

Tonic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 429 Records
• ASIN: B00383ZTXE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,494 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

6 Top Ten Singles with Over 4 MILLION Albums Sold - Tonic returns with their 4th new album entitled, 'TONIC'

It s been almost two years since their last project, the Grammy nominated 'Head on Straight' and the band have returned reenergized with a collection of eleven new songs. Each member adds a variety of musical contributions to the mix Emerson Hart provides lead vocals, acoustic guitars and keyboards; Jeff Russo plays lead electric, acoustic and rhythm guitars, keyboards, piano, lap steel, percussion and lends background vocals; Dan Lavery works the bass guitar, piano, acoustic guitar, harmonizes and sings background vocals. Produced by Tonic and Nathaniel Kunkel, 'TONIC' is redolent of their trademark honest, powerful, melodic rock sound.

Tonic have been on a whirlwind ride since their debut in 1998 when they earned the distinction of having released the #1 most-played rock song of the year. Since that auspicious debut, the band have sold millions, won numerous awards and Grammy nominations and developed a huge worldwide fan base as they tirelessly toured the world. All three members continue to bring a special energy to Tonic as they have created music collectively as well as explored other outlets both musical and otherwise (family life and fatherhood, being particularly notable). With this band as their central focus, however, they never present anything less than their best effort and 'TONIC' is a sincere reflection of that.

Says Emerson Hart: 'When we play music together it feels like going home. Getting together, playing some rock-n-roll, it s the best feeling in the world.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Tonic Sound + New Years of Confidence and Experience, May 6, 2010

By 

John Bierly (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tonic (Audio CD)

The album begins with "Release Me," and the effect on your ears and heart will be immediate. Everything that you ever loved about Tonic, bolstered by years of confidence and experience. After seeing them live two times on their 2004 Acoustic Tour, one of the things that always bummed me out about the studio albums was that the harmonies didn't come through as well on the records as they did at the shows. That's not a problem here -- I can hear Jeff and Dan's voices soaring behind Emerson's, and I LOVE that. This album also has a much better balance of -- and variety between -- acoustic and electric guitars than I heard on the previous Head on Straight album. "Daffodil" is my favorite, with a wonderful focus on the voices and guitars. "Nothing Is Everything" is as beautiful a ballad as these guys have ever done, and that's no easy feat to accomplish given a back catalog that includes legendary keepers like "Count on Me (Somebody)." The piano takes it to a whole other level. The only thing that makes this album difficult to sing along with is the massive smile that's been on my face since I started listening to it. For my money, it's their best record yet.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Glad these guys are still around..., May 7, 2010

By 

A. S. Design "bryan4017" (Everett, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tonic (Audio CD)

I've been waiting for Tonic to do another album for a while now, and figured that they'd sadly gone the way of other great, underrated bands like JellyFish. So glad that's not the case.

This is a great album and has everything that most Tonic fans have come to appreciate. There are great melodies and lyrics here, though the album at times feels a bit more stripped down to me than their previous albums.

It feels a bit more "intimate" than their other records (which are classic albums!). My favorite track has to be "Daffodil". Great feel to it. The acoustic version is better than the electric version. In fact either version of "Daffodil" would make a great single either on a Country station or an AOR station (are there AOR stations anymore??). Great chorus hook in that song. Unfortunately, with the state of the record companies and lame taste of most of the record-buying public, this album will most likely vanish into obscurity and the band will be forced to do something else to survive. Hopefully that won't happen for some time yet.

Does the beginning of "Feel It Now" remind of anyone else of "Polythene Pam" from The Beatles "Abbey Road" album? Not the melody, just the feel and instrumentation. Might just be me, but it's a great feel. There are actually a few "Beatley" moments on this album. I know I heard several Ringo drum fills, but that's beside the point.

There's something about Tonic's lyrical delivery that knocks me out every time. Something about the way the lyrics fit into their music forces you to listen to the lyrics like a lot of other band's recordings do not. It's not just "verse- bridge- hook-chorus". It's actually - "wow, listen to what he's saying" and some of them actually can choke you up from time to time ("Waltz with Me" and "Soldier's Daughter" definitely do this to me from time to time).

Somebody else mentioned the sonic quality of the album and how things are pretty compressed. Unfortunately, that's the lay of the land these days. I don't think Tonic deserves the blame for it. Again to cite The Beatles- have a listen to their remasters- they took all the air out of the songs.

Thanks Tonic for not going solo on us and doing a great album!

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Good, May 14, 2010

By 

D. Burchfield "BikerChik" (B'ham, AL.) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tonic (Audio CD)

Although I've read some bad reviews, I listen with my ears wide open. I enjoyed it. No it's not like their previous cds, but still....it's got the Tonic flavor. A little more mellow....but I enjoy that side of the guys. Being in my fifties...I hear alot in their music & THAT is what I've always enjoyed the most. It's new & refreshing.....with just that hint of influence that I know & understand. Comforting to me in my "old age" LOL