Herbert Grönemeyer

I (being German myself) never really got into his music. The songs you mention are not bad, IMHO, and the album "Bochum" is quite enjoyable. He had his first big hit over here with a song called "Currywurst" (sausage with currysauce), a funny song about one of the favourite meals of people in the Ruhrgebiet and Berlin. Later he stormed the charts with "Maenner" (Men), ridiculing male self esteem, a very funny and true song. Also "Was soll das?" was a huge success (I hope you understand the lyrics of that one, it's about about a guy whose girlfriend or woman has a new lover and the guy is really p****d off).
I guess you're right calling his music quality pop/rock. Another huge success was the album "Mensch", although I have to admit that I never listened to it in it's entirety. BTW, his brother is a successful surgeon, can you believe that? Lately Grönemeyer made more headlines in the yellow press in Germany when his wife died and later he was said to have a new girlfriend. Gossip - I'd prefere to read and hear about him because of his music.

"Maenner" is another good song, although it isn't my favorite on the album (which I'd give about a 4/5). About "Was soll das?", yes I understand the lyrics. I wouldn't say they were some of the best, but the arrangement is quite excellent, and the song is most definitely catchy. I heard taht his wife had died, along with his sister (correct me if I'm wrong), and that was what influenced him for "mensch" and some of his other songs, like "Bleibt alles Anders" (very emotional song and great video IMO: http://youtube.com/watch?v=oJd57NIW4XM).

And about Hammill, yes I heard they've worked together more than once, like you said Hammill translated one of Groenemeyer's albums, and Groenemeyer sang on "Fall," which I haven't heard yet....

Also, I've read that Groenemeyer worked with Lou Reed and Nick Cave. That just has to be awesome.