Reviews of Eric's trip and their side projects records


ERIC'S TRIP "warm girl" 7" (DERIVATIVE/CARGO)

The latest Eric's Trip single is acually five songs recorded
on a four-track in 1991-1992. Though the material is older,
the variance of styles is similar to the band's recent work.
The title track features a "half wall" of fuzzy guitars and
disjointed harmanies while the other tracks remind one of
the laid-back acoustic style of Sebadoh.

written by: Chris Burland
from: CHART magazine june 1994 Vol. 4 / issue 12



ERIC'S TRIP "the gordon street haunting" (SUB POP/DENON)

Wheras some bands might be at a disadvantage if their developmental
stages were highly scruitinized, Eric's Trip seem to be thriving
on it. Not ones to keep their creations to themselves, the band has
continued to make available numerous recordings that chronicle the
band's progression. On their latest release, The Gordon Street Haunting EP,
the band continue to expand on their spaced-out lo-fi tomfoolery with
ever-expanding success. The new EP is a Candian-only release, which
might be because of it's somewhat experimental nature and slight departure
from the world of fuzzed-out rock. Experimental for Eric's Trip might
encompass weird noises, but it does not preclude  accessibility. In fact,
the stranger, quieter Eric's Trip songs have been their catchiest, with
the bare melody exposed for all to feel with all the emotion intact.
Gordon Street ofers up three fragile and sombre pop songs("Lightly Feeling,"
"Never Grow" and "Departure Song") snadwich in between two tracks of
fuzzed-out, agressive variety that band is best known for. The success of
bassist Julie Dorion's lead vocals on "Lightly Feeling" will hopefully lead
to more tracks of this ilk and perhaps Eric's Trip will continue the path of
minimalist raw pop so successfully expressed here.

writen by: Ian Danzug
from: EXCLAIM  magazine july 1994



BROKEN GIRL "nora" 7" (SAPPY RECORDS, p.o. box 25097, Moncton, NB, E1C 9M9)

Nora, is the latest release by Broken Gril the Eric's Trip bassist's solo
project. Side A's "the book song"  and "his girlfriend" are more heart-fealt, sculpted,
emotionally packed, lo-fi gems. While side B's "dance music" is the weakest link
of this song cycle, it is notable in that it pushes. The envelope of Broken Girl sound.
More produced, with a great number of instruments, "dance music"points out a
new direction of Broken Girl, who should have a full-length album released
sometime early fall.

writen by: Christopher Waters
from: EXCLAIM magazine june 1995



MOON SOCKET (SUB POP, po box 20645, Seattle, WA 98102)
MOON SOCKET (RATFISH, po box 381869, Cambridge,  MA 02238)

Taking Allen Ginsberg's "first thought best thought" dictum and filtering
it through close study of Lou Barlow's solo recordings, Chris Thompson's
Moon Socket project continues to produce and develop. The Eric's Trip
guitarist is slowly becoming more confident in his singing and subject
matter. The material on these two singles features everything from the
western blues of "Somebody Else's Love," to the harsh rock of " Always
Lose," and a lot of Sentridoh-styled folk ballads and random bursts of
noise. It's all very warm and personal, which makes up for the sameness
that permeates this project. I especially like "Truth Becomes Lies" from
the Sub Pop single and "Feeling Around," Thompson's song from Eric's Trip
Forever Again, which appears on the Ratfish single as a solo demo version.

written by: Christopher Waters
from: EXCLAIM magazine October 1995



ELEVATOR TO HELL (SUB POP, po box 20645, Seattle, WA 98102) self titled LP on 12" only

Only 1000 copies made, of the Moncton, NB's prodigal Rick White's latest
effort is spooky and quirky, this album is just neat. The first track,
"Roger and the Hair" could make a great sound track to a Scooby Doo
episode. A bit reminiscent of Rick's other pursuit - Eric's Trip and that
ain't such a bad thing. The addition of keyboards on some tracks adds a
really haunting element. Lots of personal stuff in the lyrics, you know the
kind you need a map to follow, but that's OK if it brings out brilliant
songs.

written by: Mark  from Tristan Psionic
from:  THE STINK, MAGAZINEfrom the lable SONIC UNYON  issue No. 5



MOON SOCKET (MOON SOCKET 42 Madison Ave, Moncton NB, E1E 1R6)

Taking a break from his Eric's Trip, bandmates, Chris Thompson recorded a
collection of original material and two well chosen covers for his cassette
release. Moon Socket may not be a departure from Eric's Trip low-fi sound,
but it does showcase Thompson's strong songwriting and solo performance
skills. Original songs, "Stupid Shyness" and "Seems Useless", are simply
wonderful, and his covers of Lou Barlow's "Barbed Wire" and Sloan's "Laying
Blame" surprise and delight. The strength of this material makes Thompson's
forhtcoming 7" single release on bandmate Julie Dorion's Sappy label
something to look forward to.

written by:Christopher Waters
from:CHART MAGAZINE January 1994 / vol. 4 / issue 7.



MOON SOCKET (DERIVATIVE po box 42031, Montreal PQ H2W 1T3)

The lo-fi revolution can be a frightening prospect for both record company
schumucks and media weasels, since everyone and their brother can create
pop music. Buy a guitar, rent a four-track recorder, some tape and voila:
great music. Not so fast! There's one important ingredient required to
create memorable pop music: Too often, I have attended live shows by bands
creating semblance of required pop touch. It's sometimes that's innate, not
taught and Chris Thompson is one of those gifted writers born with the
ability to string a series of sounds together into a cohesive, hummable
whole. Hidden away from prying eyes, alone except for a guitar and some
tape effects, this Eric's Trip guitarist creates a soundtrack of the '90's
with these 20 songs. At times there are periods of quiet dispair, followed
by times of joyous reflection. Songs about complexities of relationships
like "Sleep Tonight" and "Triangles" are only steps away from Eric's Trip
material, but Moonsocket, Thompson provides a more revealing glimpse into
his contributions to the group.
        But there's more. This is not just some document of individual
eccentricity that will appeal only to Trip purists. The self-titled CD
features a number of memorable moments that would appeal to any music
enthusiast (lo-fi or not). Some would say that the strength of music is its
obvious structure, Moonsocket can survive the scrutiny of being stripped
down to its most basic level, digitally recorded for all to hear on this
disc.

written by:Chris Burland
from: CART MAGAZINE April 1996 / vol. 6 / issue 10



ELEVATOR TO HELL FORWARD TO SNOW 7" (SAPPY, po box 25097, Moncton, NB, E1C 9M9)

Eric's Trip's Rick White debuts his solo project, Elevator To Hell, with
this four-song single, which, we are informed, was recorded live during a
beautiful snowstorm in February of this year. Gathering assistance from
Eric's Trip drummer Mark Gaudaet and friends Tara and Ron Bates, White
continues cataloguing his own thoughts and musical experiments with Casio
organs and other electronic tinkering has really been a shot in the arm, as
there's a new creative rush that sweeps through his music. "Double
Pleading" and "Forward To Snow" are great additions to White's
ever-increasing songbook.

written by:Christopher Waters
from: EXCLAIM MAGAZINE July 1995