Simply put, this is one of the best recordings I've ever heard. It really pays to search out the truly GREAT music. Another example of a CD that SHOULD be on display in every music retail outlet with the promotion it deserves. What a wonderful experience is Emerson Hart's 'Cigarettes & Gasoline.' Plain & simple, order it now!

I was hoping this cd would be as good as I hoped, but I never thought it would be better than that. There are very few albums in which one can listen from start to finish and enjoy the entire collection of songs, and this is one of those albums for me.

If you love Tonic, there is no doubt you will love this album. Lots of really fantastic songs!

I bought this CD for one song, as I often do, and I love this whole CD. It's not to often that that happens. Usually I am sorry I bought the whole CD, but not this time!

The Good
The former frontman of Tonic is taking a stab at a solo career with his latest. "Run To" displays Hart's smooth and familiar vocals. Who doesn't remember them from Tonic's radio days? "If Your Gonna Leave" is a tear-jerking ballad full of sorrowful emotions, regret, and beautiful vocal melodies. It's not hard to figure out as the album progresses that Emerson has been through some rough relationships. The piano-laden track "I Wish the Best For You" only continues the emotional devastation that Hart has endured. "I Know" turns up some guitar fuzz and shifts the emotions from regret to blame. "Vanity" uses the simple formula of vocals with piano backing to draw you in to it's tale of a conceited female. Hart poses the question, what are you going to do when you don't have your looks to fall back on? Hart saves the most powerful track for last with "Cigarettes and Gasoline."

The Bad
I would have liked to hear more up-tempo songs like "I Know."

The Verdict
I can't claim to be the biggest Tonic fan out there, but a few things are clear after listening to Emerson Hart's debut solo album. Hart has a knack for expressing his pain, regret, and emotions through his music. There are no sunny days here for Emerson. He's dealt with a lot of pain recently and does a great job of getting it out there in such a way that you can relate to it on some level in your own life.