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With the invigoration of New York punk surging through the grime-lined veins of urbanised country rock, Jesse Malin's debut album The Fine Art Of Self Destruction is not only dirty, hard-bitten and restless but blessed with a bona fide autobiographical clarity. How else could the toughened-up Simon and Garfunkel style "Riding on the Subway"--with it's stroboscopic glimpses of pretzel sellers, buskers, spray-paint gospel and three-card monty--seem so effortlessly real? How could the repressed, moping angst of "Solitaire" or the music biz caution of "High Lonesome" ("through your brand new shades you might not see the sharks") ring so true?
Boredom, delinquency, escapism--Malin bites to the core of life, loves and regrets in the Big Apple's concrete jungle, carrying all the emotional axe-grinding baggage of an imaginary, seriously pissed-off younger Bruce Springteen. "Fine Art" is so self-assured and fully-realised there really is no need to covet interest-by-proxy in drawing attention to the fact that the album was produced by Ryan Adams (who also guests on guitar). --Kevin Maidment
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The strength of 'The Fine Art of Self Destruction' lies in the fact that it is filled with quality songs, not a filler in sight. Malin has envious songwriting talents and the ability to emulate all the great artists of the last 40 years whilst retaining his own individuality. 'Solitaire' in particular could be easily be the heartbreaking song that Springsteen has never wrote.
Lyrically, Malin keeps things fairly simple but invokes intrigue in tales of parental divorce, recurring Sunday evening illnesses (!) and of course stories of loves lost and found.
The album is endorsed and produced by none other than Mr. Ryan Adams, who has remarked that Malin is "scarily good". On this performance there is every reason to believe Adams should be scared cos at last the ex-Whiskeytown man has some serious competition!
At times rockin' and upbeat, at times tearful and heartbreaking, Malin succeeds in producing one of the finest and most listenable debut albums for years!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I too first saw Jesse supporting Ryan Adams at Manchester Apollo, and was impressed enough on the night to buy this CD.
What a find ! This is a fantastic debut, and it might be the best debut album I've heard since Bruce Springsteen's "Greetings from Astbury Park". It really is that good. He reminds me of Bruce a lot, and the songs like Queen of the Underworld and Riding on the Subway are simply brilliant.
Not over keen on Wendy as its a bit of a barroom upbeat track that is a bit of a filler. The rest is outstanding. Go and buy it if you like Ryan Adams or Bruce Springsteen
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well you've come to the right place as this is very Ryan Adams...not surprising as he produced and guested on guitar. But this is no cheap rehash of another artist's songs. No this is much more. Unfortunately Ryan may have caused himself a problem as his guy could become so much better than his mentor! I first heard of jesse malin when he was support at Adams' Belfast gig and i was not particularly impressed by his songs as his mic was too loud for the songs. On this album everything sounds in better balance and the true brilliance of his songs can come through. This is pure americana but with a true pop sensibility. Highlights of the album are undoubtedly 'Queen of the Underworld', 'Brooklyn' despite it's singer-songwriter pastiche and my personal favourite- 'Almost Grown'. However, there is no bad song on the album and many people will prefer 'Solitaire' and 'Wendy' for their more popish sound. My only problem is, as i bought the album for my girlfriend, how do i tell her i'm going to keep it? Go out and buy this as he could end up better than the brilliant Adams and this stands up to 'Heartbreaker' anyday.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The 1st & the best
The first, and for many the best, of Jesse's solo albums following his departure from N.Y punks D. Generation and the short lived Bellvue. Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by R. Tolfree
This is Springsteen without the bombastic drums
This album came as quite a surprise to me. Except for Lucinda Williams I've not been big into Alternative Country. But this is good. The songs are nice, texts are good. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2005 by "thurlog"
boom bangabang
I've never listened to anything by Ryan Adams. In fact I came across Jesse Malin when he supported Counting Crows. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2004 by A. Marczak
this is excellent
for a debut it stands up brilliantly. Under the tutilage of ryan adams he is on the right track, as long as he steers clear of labels trying to hold up material! Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2004 by "garthduck"
jesse is god
besides being the best cd i purchased this year , his gig at the acadmey in liverpool supported by tommy stinson was the gig of the year. Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2003 by duncan worman
"Poetry or destiny on bar napkins..."
The best songwriters are those who have the ability to somehow transport you to their world with such grace that you can easily believe yourself to be a part of it. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2003 by "tickordidj"
Best rock album in 20 years
I know those are big words, but the more I listen to the album, the more I'm convinced that they're true. Read more
Published on 30 April 2003 by Rasmus Hastrup
Excellent debut solo offering
Like many people, my interest in Jesse Malin sprang from the Ryan Adams connection. Upon buying the album, initial impressions were of mediocrity, with the bare bones production... Read more
Published on 8 April 2003 by "monsterpuppy"
The Fine Art of Great Music...
Ryan Adam's protege certainly had a lot to live up to, and the fine art of self destruction proves that he is well worthy of the title. ... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2003 by "gales_twin"
The man is destined for great things
New York native Malin’s name has been on the lips of every music know-all for almost a year now since Ryan Adams name-checked him. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2003 by J. W. Bassett
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