you sound really proffessional, a friend of mine sent me this page and i thought you sound *almost* like billy joel. which is not a BAD thing, i used to be fan! i really enjoy 'the new sensation. but the background sound a little old and dated on the rest... sorry. i do think you can get big on your next cd. so good luck to you:-)
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Pianist/singer Jim Martin's self-titled debut album is a surprisingly pleasant listen amidst all the disposible hip-hop and superfluous pop-filled jingles ruling the airwaves these days. Although it would’ve been nice for it to have had more than just two uptempo rockers (excluding the anything-but a 'bonus' track "Better Days Ahead"), the ambitious ballads on this rather retro-sounding CD more than make up for the fact that the majority of the material on here is slow to midtempo. 

He promptly opens the album on the right foot with an effective ballad in “When You’re Around (I’m On A High)”, a curiously uplifting tune about long distance relationships; and “The New Sensation” is a spirited pop rocker that is lyrically similar in theme to Billy Joel’s early '70s hit “The Entertainer”- but with a canned audience applauding as the intro, facetiously setting the tone for the rest of the song quite well.  

The album's third entry, “Bobby and Carrie”, is by far and away a step above everything else here, which is saying a lot considering how good everything else IS- and it would simply be a shame in this reviewer's eyes to see anything but this midtempo road trip of a song released as Martin's first commercial single. The track itself sounds quite similar to Sir Elton John's work circa 1970, and the wailing steel guitar towards the end is refreshingly reminiscent of an earlier era set against a flowing string section in the background. It is a classic gem full of cool, accented vocals and hooks, and one that may very well be the hit that makes Martin famous.

The next track, “Internal Descent”, is a dark, reflective ballad about death and mourning; while the symphonic feel of “The Moon Will Help Me Sleep Tonight” not only captures the aura but epitomizes that song’s sense of loneliness and isolation. “We Wanna Rock” is sure to be a universally embraced rock anthem that will be blasting at house parties and college fraternities across the country soon enough; “Wild Morgan Filly” is a sweet, if unmemorable ballad about a horse (!) in pursuit of its dreams and a better tomorrow; and “Nicole's Song” is a gorgeous, heartbreaking lament about a young, unrequited love. 

“Autumn” is eerily analogous in style to both Elton John’s mid-'90s album cut “Latitude” and Billy Joel’s Glass Houses closer, “Through The Long Night”. With that said, a lot of the music on this CD seems to play off of both men's styles; at least on the surface it appears that way. However, Martin's uniqueness and personality as an up and coming songwriter ultimately shine through this apparent hybrid, and in the end lends itself to be more than just a highly influenced salute to his legendary idols. 
His impressive solo debut ends on yet another moving, inspired ballad entitled “This Is Today”- which is about Martin’s appreciation for his father’s love and support over the years.

Also included on this disc are two bonus tracks; the fun and previously mentioned outtake “Better Days Ahead”, and a rather unnecessary extended mix of “Nicole’s Song” that is about 2 1/2 minutes longer than it should be.
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I was blown away by the quality of this CD. Although I'm partial to the faster tracks, like The New Sensation, I was stunned by the poetry in the ballads..."Who will it be when I just want some advice. The kind you get from your dad?", from the "This is Today" track.
Heartfelt,honest, and entertaining!
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The music,words,and melodies show a great amount of talent and maturity.I find myself listening to this cd at least 3 or 4 times a week.
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