With eleven new original songs penned by Martin, Love Ain’t That Tough is a record that brings to mind Chris Isaak meeting Dwight Yoakam circa 1965 with a generous dose of Roy Orbison thrown in for good measure.

The disc brings back the energy and attitude that made Los Angeles the hot bed of roots music when the scene there saw Los Lobos, X, Dwight Yoakam, and The Blasters incestuously re-writing the book.

But it is the songwriting that ultimately separates Love Ain’t That Tough from the rest of the country, alt-country, and retro-country scene. Tracks like the elegant country-soul-pop of “Blue, Blue Tears” and the deep and disconsolate country ballad “Whiskey Morning Sunrise” follow in the long tradition from Hank Williams to Waylon Jennings.

Nashville DJ Billy Block (WKFD 103FM) had this to say after hearing the record; “Stan Martin continues to lead the pack as one of the premier purveyors of highly original honky-tonk country music. His latest recording exhibits his flair for catchy melodies, memorable guitar hooks and radio friendly vocal delivery.”