Jesse Malin - Glitter in the Gutter

  by Geraint Jones

published: 6 / 3 / 2007

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Review

It was surely only ever a question of when rather than if Jesse Malin would finally re-embrace the energy of his punk roots. Starting out in the early 80's fronting the little known New York punk outfit Heart Attack in his early teens, Jesse Malin eventually went on to find some success with D Generation, releasing three albums and supporting the likes of the Ramones and Kiss during their decade together before calling it a day in 1999. Reconnecting with Ryan Adams, who’d been a friend since catching D Generation live in the mid-90's, as a solo artist Malin wholly embraced and mastered much the same kind of Americana/alt. country that had made Adam’s name, albeit as viewed through the eyes of a streetwise Queens-raised New Yorker. Quickly making further influential friends, Bruce Springsteen also voiced his praise soon after Malin’s 2002 debut set ‘The Fine Art Of Self Destruction’ and makes an impressive guest vocal appearance here on ‘Broken Radio’. Elsewhere, alongside the ubiquitous Ryan Adams, guest turns from Jakob Dylan, Josh Homme and the Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett add further prestige to an already mighty fine album. Not to over emphasise the return to Malin’s punk roots, ‘Glitter In The Gutter’ delivers a whole lot more than that – it’s a diverse and accomplished set that includes a masterfully understated interpretation of the Replacements’ classic ‘Bastards Of Young’, the heartfelt lament of ‘Aftermath’ and the irresistible ought to be a hit pop of current single ‘Don’t Let Them Take You Down (Beautiful Day!)’ and a whole lot more besides. To quantify the punk references though, anyone seeking a tuneful return to their pogoing youth could do a whole lot worse than crank up ‘In The Modern World’, ‘Prisoners Of Paradise’ or ‘Little Star’, fist pumping hook fests one and all. With no sign of running out of inspiration, energy or things to say and one of contemporary rocks more distinctive voices, Malin is assuredly demonstrating that perseverance deservedly pays off for some.

Track Listing:-

1 Don't Let Them Take You Down (Beautiful Day!)
2 In The Modern World
3 Tomorrow Tonight
4 Broken Radio
5 Prisoners Of Paradise
6 Black Haired Girl
7 Lucinda
8 Love Streams
9 Little Star
10 Bastards Of Young
11 Happy Ever After (Since Your In Love 2007)
12 NY Nights
13 Aftermath

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