Artist: Emerson Hart
Project Name: "Cigarettes and Gasoline"
Artist Site: Emerson Hart

I like good songs, and I love this record. While reading through his one sheet Hart talks about “writing from the perspective of what I lived through and where I am now.” Songs like If you’re gonna leave (you better get going) and lines like “how did I become responsible / without ever taking responsibility” really sum up what kind of things he’s been through, and where he’s ended up. The songs are so good, believable, and performed impeccably.

Likewise, the production is beyond stellar. My advanced copy didn’t contain any album artwork, and thus didn’t specify who recorded which tracks, so unfortunately I can’t give exact credit where credit is due. However, I do know that it was produced by Mike Napolitano, Emerson Hart, Bob Rock and Jason Lehning in various combinations. Often times multiple producers can lead to a disjointed record, but not in this case; it is surprisingly cohesive, yet blended with just the right amount of variety.

Green Hills Race for California stripped down song that totally envelopes the listener, with just vocals, acoustic guitar and cello. The cellists’ technique is so smooth that it often felt like his (or her) bow was 30 feet long, and was about to hit the end of it before the next chord. Even though it’s a really mellow track, it seems to create a strange sense of tension and anticipation…like when you’re talking to someone who has a cigarette dangling from their mouth with about an inch of ash about to fall off…somehow you end up hanging from every word. What a cool song and presentation- the combination of the two blew me away.

I’ve already called a few friends telling them to buy this record, and that it won’t disappoint. “Cigarettes and Gasoline” went straight from my office CD player to my car. Good job guys.

"Licensed from Chris Mara"