Definitely Looking At The Stars
In terms of US songwriters Jesse Malin has long struggled with living in the shadows of charismatic friend and musical associate Ryan Adams, who has been connected to Jesse's music from the start as the producer of his debut, 'The Fine Art of Self Destruction'. 'Glitter In The Gutter' doesn't strive to break this association, but pulls in more stars to up the glitter quota with guest appearances from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Josh Homme, many artists would buckle under the weight of such major league collaborators, but Malin takes it in his self-assured stride.
With his third album, Malin seems to have reached a new peak of confidence as bright tunes like 'In The Modern World' bustle along at breakneck pace laced with cool guitar solos (here with Mr Adams I hasten to add) and crashing gusto. Likewise 'Prisoners of Paradise' is a riproaring tune with the rippling arpeggios of Foo Fighters Chris Shiflett' twinkling away in the background adding a discernable twist to Malin's usual guitarwork.
Malin builds rock myths with his earnest turn of phrase and starry ditties, 'Broken Radio' sees Bruce Springsteen's added vocals creating the perfect reflective, weepy Springsteen ballad with the dreamy lyrics, "Raised on robbery and rock n'roll". Again on 'Tomorrow Tonight' Malin drops one of those perfect one-liners that could make any girl weak at the knees, especially with Josh Homme's brooding guitars in the background; "I must confess, I don't care about tomorrow tonight". While 'Little Star' fills the listener with a sense of awe-inspiring possibility as Malin's music swells your heart and he promises, "I can make it happen little star". It all screams of whiskey-tinted rootsy rockers who will whirl you round for 24 hours and leave you with only stories to tell, but luckily music can carry on inspiring this feeling every minute of the day.
'Black Haired Girl' is a charmingly clichéd ode to the aforementioned siren, with references to Bonnie and Clyde as the following patriotic sweet nothings trip off Malin's lips," Here she goes down the street, mountain high and river deep" and "Baby be mine, miss American Pie".'NY Nights' sees Malin take his foot off the gas a little and create a tune that just glides along with a certain visceral tenderness, "Hold me close in the NY nights", he beseeches the listener in a warm ode to his home town. Piano ballad and Replacements' cover 'Bastards Of Young' is a stunning affair with the coarseness of Malin's vocals sparking off the smooth keys.
'Glitter In The Gutter' is a delightful alt-rock album brimming with gorgeous tunes to inspire and impassion, or just smile with a glass of wine over. There might be glitter in every gutter but it takes some to find it and paint it into such stunning songs, and the collection of stars that accompany him are evidence of the excitement this young man's music causes.