New segment. Back in the day we’d have a “Song of the week.” But sometimes, choosing a single song from an album just isn’t right. Some works are best viewed as a whole. For said occasions we’ve started a new category, “Album of the Month.” - C&V
It’s so easy to be derivative. Especially once you’re successful. You make a million bucks. You stick to the formula. And in rolls a million more. I mean, look at Coldplay. Jesus God, look at Coldplay. Celine Dion woulda been proud of their 3rd album… It’s exceptionally rare nowadays that someone, once established, chooses to take the risk of progressing in their art. So I’ve got to give props to anyone in music willing to take a chance and follow their gut. Led Zeppelin 3, Dylan going electric, And then there’s now… who comes to mind? If it was a rare event for an artist to take risks before, in the commerciality of the now it’s a near impossibility. The only modern example that really comes to mind is something like the shift from “Midnite Vultures” to “Sea Change”…. but, as later albums would prove, that was less an evolution so much as a one off shot at gaining some cred.
So there you have it. The prelude. Now, based off of the above prelude, what artist would you guess I’m about to talk about?… Odds are you’re looking at the title, “Cigarettes and Gasoline” and coming up empty. The album’s “Cigarettes and Gasoline.” The artist is Emerson Hart. You know him as the head singer-songwriter-brainchild of Tonic, the band that gave us “If You Could Only See” and “Open Up Your Eyes.” I realize that a lot of you out there right now are saying, “What the hell, Tonic? I thought I was reading C&V!” Bear with me, it’s worth it. We pride ourselves on being taste makers. And would never waste your time.
“Cigarettes and Gasoline” represents the maturation of an artist who went multi-platinum at age 27. Think of that. Age 27 and multi-platinum. I’ll be happy if I can keep myself a steady girlfriend by 27, but multi-platinum? Jesus. Well, it’s 2007, Emerson’s older. Tonic’s done. And he’s free to make whatever kind of music he wants. Enter “Cigarettes and Gasoline,” at once a progression and a departure from what Hart began with Tonic. On the single, “If You’re Gonna Leave,” you get something that sounds pretty close to some of those Tonic ballads, but the overall feel is of something quite different. I guess that’s the logic in releasing this as the single. It’s just familiar enough. For me, however, The meat of “Cigarettes and Gasoline,” the part that makes me want to post this as the “Album of the month,” is to be found elsewhere on the album’s dozen or so tracks. “Friend to a Stranger,” a song you might have heard on Grey’s Anatomy, is a damn good song. And that’s not just a phrase I throw around. Give it a listen on Emerson’s Myspace. When those drums kick in, or when he takes it to the bridge, I dare you to not like the song. It’s wholly different, yet just familiar enough. It’s an artist moving foward. And the rest of the album is just as good.
“Cigarettes and Gasoline” is not derivative. It’s not the easy path. It’s an artist taking risks in a world where no one does. It’s someone following their gut and being truly creative AND for that reason, it deserves your attention and a spot on your shelf. “Cigarettes and Gasoline” is a damn good album. And we don’t just throw that phrase around. Pick it up in stores this June.
Buy the Single at 
and get a free acoustic “If You Could Only See.”
Emerson on Myspace.
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Great review. The entire album is really quite amazing. Hart is a gifted songwriter and I am glad to see that he has branched out beyond the Tonic formula. This album will certainly be in my iPod for a long time.
May 25th, 2007 05:58
An excellent review. I enjoy the album very much as well and I must confess that I was/am a huge Tonic fan. I always found that their attempts at ‘formula’ were more enlightening then most else on the radio and had a real maturity to them. I’m glad to see that Emerson Hart took it to another level wholly his own.
July 20th, 2007 17:11
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flow reparations Erne …
February 14th, 2008 16:06
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February 21st, 2008 19:26