It's hard to believe, on hearing Marty Casey & Lovehammers, that Marty Casey is the Bo Bice of "Rock Star: INXS"--that is, the guy who didn't win, but put his chops on display so fiercely night after night that he dese... more »rved a cushy consolation prize. So steeped are Casey and his backing players in pushing the surly, hard-charging agenda of modern rock that they come across as Nickelback's likable kid brothers--a fully realized band too farsighted to get sucked into a cred-shattering TV show. Where that leaves this disc is in a strange place: fans of Lovehammers, the band Marty Casey fronted before putting his name out front seemed a smart publicity move, will love the bulk of these 11 songs, especially the pained and furious "Clinic" and the hot-headed "The Tunnel." Fans of the show, on the other hand--pleased as they'll be with the infectiousness of "Trees" and "The Riddle," both of which creep in a vaguely Kelly Clarkson-ish direction--will wish Casey could find another vehicle for exploring his versatility. -Tammy La Gorce« less
It's hard to believe, on hearing Marty Casey & Lovehammers, that Marty Casey is the Bo Bice of "Rock Star: INXS"--that is, the guy who didn't win, but put his chops on display so fiercely night after night that he deserved a cushy consolation prize. So steeped are Casey and his backing players in pushing the surly, hard-charging agenda of modern rock that they come across as Nickelback's likable kid brothers--a fully realized band too farsighted to get sucked into a cred-shattering TV show. Where that leaves this disc is in a strange place: fans of Lovehammers, the band Marty Casey fronted before putting his name out front seemed a smart publicity move, will love the bulk of these 11 songs, especially the pained and furious "Clinic" and the hot-headed "The Tunnel." Fans of the show, on the other hand--pleased as they'll be with the infectiousness of "Trees" and "The Riddle," both of which creep in a vaguely Kelly Clarkson-ish direction--will wish Casey could find another vehicle for exploring his versatility. -Tammy La Gorce
Robyn P. (makesomebodyhappy) from WAYCROSS, GA Reviewed on 1/14/2008...
I absolutely love this cd! I requested it for Trees b/c I had heard it on Rockstar INXS. The entire cd is really good. It reminds me of Daughtry. The first song would be great if you were doing the music for an army movie that had basic training it. "rise and fall climb the wall won't stop till I have it all. Persistence...resistence...one man can make a difference. The fire's inside of me. The fight's begun, but not yet one and I won't become one more casualty." I have listened to this cd over and over since I swapped for it.
CD Reviews
Raw rocker turns Rockstar
R. Zappelli | Rockford,IL USA | 01/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As showcased on Rockstar INXS Marty Casey has a big rock voice. In fact though I am willing to concede that JD was the right choice to try and fill role as lead singer for INXS it was Marty along with Mig who were my favorites on the show.
Marty impressed with his renditions of songs with a bit of an edge such as Lithium.... Creep..... I Alone and Mr. Brightside and also showed he can put away the scream with a subtle version of Pink Floyd's Wish you were here.
Here along with his band the Lovehammer's Marty continues in a similar vein. Though he dosn't really need to let his voice out at full throttle as he has terrific control and range he lets himself go with abandon on numerous occasions which can sometimes distract from the song.
The Lovehammer's are a more than adapt foil for Mr.Casey and togther the quartet are part The Calling, part Nickleback, part Puddle of Mudd and a little bit Foo.
There's plenty to like in the songs as well....
Casualty starts like a lower tempo power ballad and morphs into something loud and brash for the chorus with a killer backbeat
Soaring guitars lead into Hold On which is an upbeat rocker
Trees would be familiar to viewers of Rockstar though here it has been polished, stripped off and is less manic than the previous music. It's still corny, quirky and catchy as hell
Rain on the Brain may be a less than stellar title but the song has a good feel to it and is strung togther by some tight work on the keyboard
The Tunnel is more of a balls out rocker with the repeat chorus and heavy work on the skin and bass
Eyes cant see is another ballady song that amps up for the chorus and another example where Marty could probably get away without the screams. That being said Eyes is one of the best songs on the album
Another strong song follows with the Riddle which is almost pop and is up there with trees in the catchy song stakes with the 'dare you not to bounce' chourus.
The Clinic starts off like a Puddle of Mudd song with a Nickelback chorus it gets a bit heavyhanded in the middle but Marty puts his guts into getting the most his voice will allow...he could make a great death metal album if he were so inclined
Call of distress is another rocker and has a soaring hook in the chorus
Straight as an arrrow starts of as feedback and then dueling fast guitars battle it out between either side of the stereo and from there it is straight ahead rock
Clouds is perhaps the mellowest song on the album and a perfect closer. It also serves as the perfect example of why Marty does not need the screams. It showcases what a fine singing voice he has when he does sing. Clouds is a great ballad and for mine it just edges out Eyes cant see,Trees and Casualty as best song on the album.
"
FANFRICKINGTASTIC!
Michael Bethman | Chi-Town | 01/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just put it in and press play, every song is great.
It's impossible to replicate what seeing the Lovehammers live is like, but this is a great primer. The album concentrates more on Marty's vocals then thier previous recordings, which were more raw and we got to hear the rest of the band be more themselves (all very talented btw). This is a springboard for what will be a great career, long overdue. My only wish is that the change the name back to Lovehammers.
ROCK IS BACK!"
Go HAMMERS!!!! Best of 2005!!!!
E. Woontner | Fairfax, CA United States | 01/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although they are essentially a live band (and WHAT a live band, those who have been to their concerts or, like yours truly, saw the LIVE/RAW video know it) and have been around for at least a decade, the new LoveHammers are great on CD Too. If you loved the renaissance 90s rock, they will win your heart, soul and ears... This is Hearty, Solid ROCK AND ROLL (Not neopunk, not post-dance, not rock-rap, electronika and all the bleeping labels people give music today..)They were my greatest discovery of 2005 and have absolutely nothing in common with the hordes of overproduced, carbon-copy so called rock bands of today. Give them a chance: This is the nitty gritty, this is The Real Deal!!!!!!"
Truly amazing on so many levels!
Paula Merritt | Bangor, ME | 01/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is only the tip of the iceberg as to what Lovehammers are all about. They have potentially 40 #1 hits already floating around from their previous unsigned CDs and Internet downloads and streams! When have you ever heard of a band starting out with so much quality, with a back catalog that even the newest fans are clamoring for? Fans want their favorite versions of some of these songs (believe me there are several versions of each--all of them great and distinctive--of every song these guys have done!!) Why, the band is still making new versions of their songs on the fly as they are interviewed while touring with INXS! Fans posting on martycasey.org have reported their toddlers rocking out with Marty and knowing him by name!
Take it from an old hippie who knows how to rock: this *is* the real deal. I personally have been up until 2:00am, dancing around the house with Marty, Dino, Billy and Bobby blasting the speakers out. Can't rave enough. This CD *will* be platinum in no time, with probably another two or three coming out just to keep us from storming the record company.."
Lovehammers Never Disappoint !!
Tara Jordan | Roanoke, Virginia | 01/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is the first major-label release by Lovehammers, and the polish on the re-recorded tracks shines brightly. The new song offering, "Casualty", is a guaranteed sing-a-long hit just waiting to happen! The song's lyrics are full of vivid imagery and you'll be singing it aloud after just one listen. Marty's voice has never sounded better, and the arrangements on all the songs are top-notch. This album offers a vivid showcase of the band's talent, with songs ranging from hard rock ("Straight as an Arrow", "Eyes Can't See") to more mellow tunes ("Rain on the Brain", "Clouds"). Someone earlier mentioned that the songs sound different, and admittedly, they do. However, after giving this CD multiple (and I do mean exponentially multiple) listens, I have decided that I love the polished versions just as much as I like the rawness of their past offerings. The power and electricity is alive and well in Marty's voice and Bobby's drums, and the irresistible rhythm of Dino's bass guitar will have you dancing in no time. I guarantee that you'll find yourself playing air guitar with Billy before you can stop yourself!
This band has been compared to Creed and Nickelback, which, in my humble opinion, is an unfair comparison. I am a fan of both Creed and Nickelback, so I can honestly say that Lovehammers is a band that exhibits a vastly superior songwriting capability than either Creed or Nickelback. Marty Casey also has the amazing ability to change his voice to suit the song he's doing. He doesn't always sound the same, but he always sounds like Marty Casey. Now THAT, my friends, is talent. You will not be searching the song list trying to tell one song from another on THIS album, I can promise you that. Lovehammers never rest on their laurels, and they are constantly experimenting with new melodies and different types of lyrics involving a myriad of subjects. It's not just the same old songs regurgitated for public consumption with this band. Not ever.
Trust me when I say that you will NOT be disappointed to have this record in your collection. After you hear it, you'll realize that it's really the only one you'll want or need."