Bobby Vinton is a timeless classic. His songs are not dated, because they weren't really fit into the time period they were originally recorded anyway. In the 70s he did a Polish love song. That's not out of date now, because it wasn't in date then. Kickback with someone you love, have a candlelight meal of pierogis and kielbassa with Bobby Vinton playing in the background.

Marty is so lucky he didn't get stuck with INXS. The worst thing for him and for the music lovers of the world would have been for him to be strapped to an over the hill dance-pop-rock band who is hovering on the cusp of obscurity. Luckily, Marty came in second. INXS's tour did well because Marty rejoined Lovehammers and joined the old men from Australia on their tour.

One word I have for Marty is consistant. He has a high level of performance and he always produces the goods. He's not the best vocalist in the Rock, but he is consistant and proved in Rock Star that he can deal with what is thrown his way.

Marty is good. Buy Lovehammers' CDs.

I was anxious about this CD. Like many of you, I was quite fond of Marty’s performances on the show, "Rock Star". Ultimately, the biggest criticism the inxs's could give him was that he wasn’t “inxs enough”. Marty played several versions of the song “Trees” when he was on Rock Star. I was especially interested in how the CD version would stand up against these.

The first song, “Casualty”, sucked me in right away. This is real rock. Not the edgy pop that inxs is known for. If this song is not a hit, Lovehammers are not to be blamed. I’m not from Chicago, I’d never heard these guys before. I knew Marty had the skills, but wasn’t sure if the band he started as a teenager was up to lifting him to the upper levels of the music industry. Part way into this track, I came to realize they are a skilled, experienced rock band. Michael Hutchence’s back-up group may have replaced him with an Elvis Impersonator, but Marty has the superior musicians backing him up.

The second track started, but I couldn’t wait and skipped ahead to track three, “Trees”. Now on Rock Star, Marty did several versions of the song, including an acoustic rendition. I enjoyed all those versions, but let me assure you this is by far superior to any TV version. This version combines elements of what inxs tried to get Marty to do, smooth rhythmic vocals, with an instrumental track inxs could not possibly duplicate.

I went through the album, jotting down notes for each track. Every time I listened to the disc, I put down particular tracks that stood out in some way. After about the third time, I found I had most of the tracks listed for some reason or another. There are some really great instrumental bits, some vocal harmonies and of course the lilting melodic screaming that we all came to expect from Mr. Casey.

All in all, the entire CD is a real treat. This is rock, not the New Wave Dance/Pop of the band that didn’t want Marty, real rock. I recommend playing it at rather high volume, but just to make sure, I tested it at a lower volume, such as you might use if you were wanting to hear the telephone ring, or if you might be expecting someone to knock on the door, or if you mother threatens to take your speakers away if you keep blasting your music, and it was still great.

Buy this CD, you’ll enjoy it. This is quality rock music. Most music currently on the radio is crap, but this is good.

Post review Appology: If this seems a bit strange, it's because MP3.com will not allow you to write "inxs" in capital letters in a review. I had to go back and change it to small letters. Perhaps if someone running this site was more familiar with the music business, they might be aware that many bands have their names in capital letters, but that's not the way with cnet.

"Coming Home"
I fantastic song. But I heard them do this one one live. They opened a concert (in Germany) with "Coming Home" and the song is great by itself, but in that setting the emotion comes through.

Play this one really loud. Of course if you aren't listening to it loud, you don't understand the music anyway.

The song "Lonesome Kicker"

This is a lovely ballad that recounts the status of the football kicker, who doesn't play for most of the game then is brought in at critical moments. The song describes how people don't know who he is when he does well, but they hate him when he costs his team a game. Very funny. Listen to it.