Customer Reviews

Casey, Marty & Lovehammers

5 star:		(117)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!!!!!!

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..

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!

In a world now filled with Emo, R&B, and Rap I had been suffering from a severe lack of rock for years...until now. This album breathes life back into rock and roll while maintaining a whole lotta heart at its core.

The CD itself is as much an introduction of the band to the world as it is a "best of" album. The most noticeable song on the CD is "Trees", which became a hit over the summer; but this is no longer the pop-friendly version that Marty sang on the show, it'd now a full-on rock song performed by the band. Most of the rest of the songs were either demos The Lovehammers hadn't placed on a CD or were previously released on their earlier CDs(including Murder on My Mind, L'Strange, and Ultrasound), but each and every one of these songs as been revamped with better production value.

No matter what your mood or taste there's a song on this CD for you. "The Tunnel", "Straight As and Arrow", "Call of Distress" and "Eyes can't See" will all make you wanna jump up and down, bang your head, and lose control. "Rain on the Brain" and "Clouds" give you a slightly more mellow feel, but without all the whining of Emo. What's that? You feel like just hearing a cool little diddy that's still rockin'? Try "The Riddle" and "Trees". The other songs are impossible to define, but all well worth listening too...especially the brand new "Casualty"


Marty Casey may have gained notice on Rock Star:INXS his band's career is destined to go far beyond these reality show beginnings. If you're someone who likes their rock real, honest, and from a bunch of hardworking, down-to-earth guys than this CD (and any other by The Lovehammers) is for you.

Owning all of their previous self-released albums/EP, I have to say I am totally impressed with this major label debut! Marty Casey & his band Lovehammers give to this album the true rock star feel: Songs that make you want to turn this disc up, grab a sport car (black preferably, and a convertible) and drive really FAST! Crank it up to the powerful vocals on Clinic. Take the hairpin turns on Straight As An Arrow and Eyes Can't See and Call of Distress. Cruise in the sun to Clouds. Sing along with your friends to Trees, Casualty, and The Riddle. And crank it up through the tunnels to Tunnel. This is pure, unapologetic Rock n' Roll.

This is a grand major label debut that will leave you wondering why you didn't meet this band much sooner. Casey's vocals are impressive, the guitar work is tight, the drums are killer, and the bass playful and strong. The legendary Steve Albini (Pixies) engineered Straight As An Arrow and you can hear not only the power of the song, but the power of Albini's talent in knowing how to engineer a killer recording.

Buy it, you will LOVE IT!

And if you enjoy an absolutely spectacular live show, Marty Casey & Lovehammers ARE NOT TO BE MISSED! Coming soon to an amphitheatre near you...

You may have heard the name Marty Casey in context as "the runner-up" in last summers hit show Rock Star: INXS. (CBS/VH1)

Well, let's just say, that after listening to this album you will realize that Marty won on his own terms. REALLY.

Pre RS:INXS fans of Lovehammers already know that Lovehammers have an established signature sound and forged out an original style years ago. (Marty Casey - Vocals, Billy Sawilchik - Guitar, Dino Kourelis - Bass, Bobby Kourelis - Drums) After 15+ years of playing together, they have grown within their sound. They prove it here, on this album again and again.

Tunes like: EYES CAN'T SEE, CLINIC, STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW and THE TUNNEL are songs that rock with creativity and undeniable impact. While CLOUDS and RAIN ON THE BRAIN are more like mellow dreams.

The new songs carve out a path listeners will want to go down: CASUALTY is a great addition to the Lovehammers catalog. TREES is more mesmerizing than ever. (in all the right places that is.)

Try this album out and see if you like it. (You will love it.)

Listen to FREE sound clips over at:

http://www.lovehammers.com

Soon, you too will be a HAMMERHEAD.

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.

This is truly the Rock Band of this millenium. Hearing the edginess screaming to get out from under his more subdued performances during Rock Star, I sought out more of Marty Casey and his Lovehammers. This band is nothing but pure unadulterated rock. What you see is what you get. With so many 'processed through the pop-grinder rock bands' flooding the airwaves today, this one breaks down that barrier. No sell outs here. If you want a GREAT cd with a little edge, this band is for you.

I watched Marty Casey on Rock Star INXS and always felt he was the most talented individual. However he was not for INXS. Plus, no one can replace Michael Hutchence. Marty's mucical genre is his own and not a cookie-cutter fit. Fate would have it, he did not win, and that was definitely in his favor. I purchased his previous CD's and loved them. The new Marty and the Lovehammers CD far exceeded my expectations. Keeping true to his work, Marty showcased his vocals and lyrical talent. I am most impressed with his ability to showcase the remarkable talent of his band mambers and embrace their talent also. Marty and the Lovehammers have grown and improved upon their previously released works, but have not bowed to the pop culture market. This CD is a testament to real musical talent and artistic truth. Buy it...you will not be disappointed. Good luck guys...and stay true to your soul!