[.ca] Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline

Amazon.com essential recording:
Before this album, Canadian singer/songwriter Fred Eaglesmith had been something of a folkie, but on Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline, he rocks out, making most cuts as much about rhythm as anything else. The opening "Seven Shells" is almost all rhythm--slow, insistent and creepingly malevolent. Whether singing about relationships that either fade away (the pathetic "Drinking Too Much") or explode into violence, Eaglesmith's typically dark themes are well suited by these new arrangements, so even when his character studies are too broad to be revealing ("Time To Get A Gun"), or when his insights are banal ("Alcohol and Pills"), their pulsing musical settings still compel. --David Cantwell

Great stories from a great storyteller:
Like a great story a great song communicates something about it's subject that strikes a chord in the reader or listener. The best songwriters are also great storytellers. In "Lipstick, Lies, and Gasoline" Fred Eaglesmith tells some great stories. Fred's songs range in style from country to rock, with some folk thrown into the mix. "Drinking too Much" is a duet with Lynn Miles in the tradition of George Jones and Tammy Wynette while in "Thinking" Eaglesmith sounds like J.J. Cale. "Alcohol & Pills" is a song about famous singers of the past (Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, Gram Parsons). "But fame doesn't take away the pain/it just pays the bills/and you wind up on alcohol and pills". In "105", his ode to the thrill of speed Fred sings "I like to drive at a hundred and five/It's just how fast I gotta go/ I got the gears and I got the motor/ Ain't no reason to go slow" Get this CD for some great songs, and some great stories.

An all-time great:
Fred's previous releases like "Drive-In Movie(his best),"Things is Changin" and "Paradise Motel",to name a few, are considered classics by more than a few people. This disc is no different.A perfect mix of roots-rock,country and country/folk; the thing that distinguishes Fred from the other top-level artist is that this guy's songwriting is a step above most of 'em. What you get here is music that is not only timeless, but it hits you square between the eyes with their brutal honesty and heartbreaking melodies. He also cracks you up with his twisted sense of humor and he certainly has a way with words. Unfortunately, he hasn't reached these heights since. His last two releases have been disappointing compared to this stuff, but that's understandable. Here's hoping Fred gets back to this level.

Dirt Road Driving Music:
I always toss on this CD when I'm driving as fast as I can to get out of the city, out to where the wide open spaces and wilderness drown out the buzz of people all around me. This is driving music, and Fred Eaglesmith is a songwriter that knows what it must feel like to be on the road, and how good it feels to be leaving somewhere to get on the open road. From the picture on the back, of Fred and his band standing outside of their beat up tour bus, to the rumbling songs that make up this disc, Fred is a guy that knows about moving on. The opener 'Seven Shells' brings to life the visions of a western movie, then '105' opens up the disc with the refrain "I love to drive at 105, it's just how fast I got to go...", Amen to that Fred. The powerful collection of songs on this disc, like "Thinking", "Pontiac", "Time to get a Gun" and "Water in the Fuel" are classic roots/country/road songs in the great North American tradition. See Fred live, if you can, because that's where he really shines. If he's not playing anywhere nearby, get in that car and drive, brother...what have you got to lose besides a few miles and a few demons?

You Must Hear This CD:
If you have any interest at all in Folk, Country, or Rock music you need to hear this CD. Imagine Springsteen channelling Hank Williams. Fred Eaglesmith is the best thing that has happened to music in a couple years. Listen to the CD and then see him live. It will change your life.

First Time:
Hearing Fred Eaglesmith for the first time was like a first kiss. Mesmerizing, rockin', and soulful.Although the subject matter can be a bit dark, the music is uplifting.It rang a" Bell", gonna jump in the old"Pontaic", if there's no "Water In The Fuel", go down Hwy "105" and do a little "Drinking To Much", And "Thinking" of Fred Eaglesmith and how I wish I was were he was tonight so I could drop in and here him in person.

• Seven Shells
• 105
• Thinking
• Bell
• Drinking Too Much
• Pontiac
• Spookin' the Horses
• Time To Get A Gun
• Bell (Reprise)
• Alcohol And Pills
• Angel Of The Lord
• Seven Shells (Crash)
• Water In The Fuel