Search - East River Pipe :: Gasoline Age

Is this his best?

F. Broadwell | Chapel Hill | 01/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"OK, I'll admit it. I'm an East River Pipe completist, having first heard "Shining Hours in the Can," his first CD, on college radio when it came out several years ago. That is an amazing disk, and one of my favorite records. Following that, he put out "Poor Fricky" which I found as good, if not better in places. "Mel" (his 3rd CD) is good but very dark. "The Gasoline Age" I am playing alot these days -- the music is as good as anything he has done, but the lyrics are on the minimalist side and not quite as engaging as the unforgettable words from the first two records. I have played this music for lots of my friends and usually get no response (but then I hated my roommate's Nirvana.) Like a previous reviwer said, I think his music appeals to those who appreciate the Velvet Underground or Tom Verlaine (Television.) (At times the guitar solos are equal to that of Verlaine on the Television records, which is saying alot.) Mixed with the brilliant guitar work is almost cheezy organ work, and his vocals are sincere as hell. Check out one of these CDs and if you like, get the other 3. They are consistently excellent. (Also note: The G Age got 9/10 stars in Spin and was on Neill Strauss' Top 10 of 1999.)"

Ethereal

F. Broadwell | 12/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a music fan who buys several CD's a week, this is the most satisfying purchase I've made in months. Gasoline Age is utterly enchanting. It is so very contemporary yet somewhat timeless in it's scope. Several songs just will not leave my head, much like what happened to me with Mercury Rev's 'Deserter's Songs' and Flaming Lips 'Soft Bulletin'. Like so many great albums, I'm sure it's destined to slip away into oblivion. FM Cornog's voice at first seems kinda flat and monotonous but after a few spins you appreciate the cruisy-floating appeal of it. Similarly, the music sounds a bit dull at first but over several listens it's depth of layers and texture begin to emerge. It really is a compelling and hypnotic vision, sad but uplifting. It's possibly fair to say it sounds like a New Jersey Nick Drake but without the severe introspection, a bit more sociable."

East river pipe - gasoline age

F. Broadwell | 03/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a microsymphony to the God of estrangement, desolation, and eternal hope - the soundtrack to thousands of lonely souls clanging around desperately in the truck-stop voids and dimestores. FM Cornog crafts these heart-wrenching and gorgeous tunes in his little vestebule away from the outside world. Comparitively, Cornog's songs rank with the greats: Lennon's introspection, Wilson's desolate meloncholy, Verlaine's gutter narratives. Using almost exclusively major chord progressions, Cornog elicits more true emotion than any of the shoe-gazing minor chord heavy handed bands can muster - and with a great deal less prentention than, say, this wordy and overly precious review."