Gregory Robson
04/01/10, 05:53 AM
Jesse Malin and the St. Mark's Social - Love it to Life
Record Label: SideOneDummy
Release Date: April 27, 2010
At this point in his career, it's safe to say Jesse Malin may never make an album as masterful as his 2003 album The Fine Art of Self-Destruction. That alt.country staple came along at the right time and caught a wave of momentum that has made him a major draw throughout the United States and Europe to this day. However, his latest album, Love it to Life, may be the one that puts him back on the map. After mild success with the Bruce Springsteen duet "Radio Nowhere" off of 2007's Glitter in the Gutter, and tepid success with 2004's critically lauded The Heat, Malin has indeed crafted an album that is worthy of repeated listens.
A native and resident New Yorker, he has never been shy about his roots and often sings about it in many of his songs. Live it to Life is no different as he tackles the locale on at least three songs. Of those three, "St. Mark's Sunset" is the most indelible, though album opener, "Burning the Bowery" may arguably be the most complete song he has ever recorded. His vulnerable and softer side is illuminated in "The Archer" and album closer "Lonely At Heart."
Other noteworthy numbers include the swaggering "Lowlife in a High Rise," and the gritty, "All The Way from Moscow" Though he's deviated away from his alt.country leanings and seems to veer more towards lo-fi punk, Malin is never without his charms. Tracks like, "Disco Ghetto" and "Black Boombox" are in essence gritty odes to sweat, determination and hardwork. Those last three traits seem to sum up Malin best and is probably why SideOneDummy has included him on their roster.
Tenacious, resilient and always striving to do better, Malin, now 42, is firmly in the pocket and writing songs that demand wider attention. Perhaps this is the release that reels them in.
1.Burning The Bowery
2 All the Way from Moscow
3 The Archer
4 St. Mark's Sunset
5 Lowlife in a High Rise
6 Disco Ghetto
7 Burn the Bridge
8 Revelations
9 Black Boombox
10 Lonely at Heart
Ryan Adams, Old 97s, Pete Yorn, Paul Westerberg
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/jessemalin)
Website (http://www.jessemalin.com)
Record Label: SideOneDummy
Release Date: April 27, 2010
At this point in his career, it's safe to say Jesse Malin may never make an album as masterful as his 2003 album The Fine Art of Self-Destruction. That alt.country staple came along at the right time and caught a wave of momentum that has made him a major draw throughout the United States and Europe to this day. However, his latest album, Love it to Life, may be the one that puts him back on the map. After mild success with the Bruce Springsteen duet "Radio Nowhere" off of 2007's Glitter in the Gutter, and tepid success with 2004's critically lauded The Heat, Malin has indeed crafted an album that is worthy of repeated listens.
A native and resident New Yorker, he has never been shy about his roots and often sings about it in many of his songs. Live it to Life is no different as he tackles the locale on at least three songs. Of those three, "St. Mark's Sunset" is the most indelible, though album opener, "Burning the Bowery" may arguably be the most complete song he has ever recorded. His vulnerable and softer side is illuminated in "The Archer" and album closer "Lonely At Heart."
Other noteworthy numbers include the swaggering "Lowlife in a High Rise," and the gritty, "All The Way from Moscow" Though he's deviated away from his alt.country leanings and seems to veer more towards lo-fi punk, Malin is never without his charms. Tracks like, "Disco Ghetto" and "Black Boombox" are in essence gritty odes to sweat, determination and hardwork. Those last three traits seem to sum up Malin best and is probably why SideOneDummy has included him on their roster.
Tenacious, resilient and always striving to do better, Malin, now 42, is firmly in the pocket and writing songs that demand wider attention. Perhaps this is the release that reels them in.
1.Burning The Bowery
2 All the Way from Moscow
3 The Archer
4 St. Mark's Sunset
5 Lowlife in a High Rise
6 Disco Ghetto
7 Burn the Bridge
8 Revelations
9 Black Boombox
10 Lonely at Heart
Ryan Adams, Old 97s, Pete Yorn, Paul Westerberg
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/jessemalin)
Website (http://www.jessemalin.com)