The guys don't waste any time kicking the record into gear, starting the fun with "90 Miles an Hour Down a Dead End Street," a Romantics-like blue collar power popper that, with its lyrics referencing AC/DC, hints that the Empty Hearts are also paying tribute to their heroes here. And you don't have to be a rock scholar to hear it; "(I See) No Way Out" is a nod to Tommy-era the Who complete with a huge Keith Moon-like drum flourish from Burke, a harmony vocal-filled chorus and guitar parts where Easton could very well be doing a windmill while "Loud and Clear" adds a little Molly Hatchet-like southern rockin' to the power pop and "Meet Me 'Round the Corner" utilizes the time-proven Bo Diddley beat.

But with Palmar on vocals and occasionally harmonica, most of The Empty Hearts sounds like the Romantics, and if the record had of been released as such a strong case could have been made for it being that band's best ever.