Customer Reviews

Love It to Life

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the best albums of the year so far! Jesse's got a great voice, the band rocks, and the songs recall Springsteen at his rockin' best. Highlights: "Burning The Bowery" and "All The Way From Moscow."

This album fits in with a heretofore unidentified niche on the American music scene: lean, driving music that is played and sung with passion, is well-produced, and wears its heart on its sleeve. Think Paul Westerberg or Ryan Adams with a few musical flourishes all its own.

The songs are all good here--"Burning the Bowery" kicks things up with a muscular charm, and the rest of the tracks keep that guitar/bass/drums/rough-hewn vocals thing going. The desperation evident on track two when he shouts "you don't get your money back here!" lets the listener know that this is personal, as indeed it is.

My personal favorites on the album right now are "Disco Ghetto" and "Lonely at Heart," a ballad-riffic album closer which reminds me of Westerberg or Adams while briefly lifting from Elvis Costello ("you drink in self-defence"). While he does lift a little bit of attitude and structure from the artists listed above (Westerberg in particular), Malin's still got a distinct personality and distinction of his own. From name-checking Ken Kesey novels to his rocking explorations of the night life of people who simply don't know any other way to live, this album really does a lot of things well. It rocks, it rolls, and it's both intelligent and passionate at the same time.

A very good record.

I heard the tune "Burning the Bowery" and had to buy the CD. All I can say is this is a tight Cd with great tunes. Not one dog in the bunch, but it's "Burning the Bowery" that really knocks me out.
Give it chance. Buy Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social CD "Love it to LIfe", pretty cool, unique stuff.

I am a recent Jesse Malin fan.A couple friends turned me onto his unique songwriting,passionate delivery,and solid back catalog.What really cemented it was seeing Jesse Malin & St. Mark's Social live.Wow! Great band combining the perfect mix of tightness and rawness ! That is why I love this release ! Although recorded with a different band back in 07',it is essentially a live CD recorded in studio.It really gives the songs a added punch and I actually like these versions more than the originals.Do yourself a favor and seek out this "Love It To Life" and bookend it with the new Jesses Malin & St. Mark Social's "Love It To Life" They used the same name ? Don't worry though,either release is a keeper !

Just when I thought Glitter was his Abbey Road; he comes out with "Love it to Life" This is a double surprise when you consider the cover "Sleeve" album (waste of time) followed Glitter. I really thought he was done. Although I'm ready to move this to #1; I still can't get Broken Radio out of my head - Best Song in his catalog. My least favorite is probably In Heat; while I must admit it was going to be tough to follow that outstanding debut "FAOD" which just gave me chills I hadn't had since my first intro to Bruce. Ironic that these guys get along. Also as a Westerbeg junkie; I get and agree with some of the comparisons. Let me give you one more excellent songwriter under the radar, who you might like along with Bruce, Jesse & PW - Michael McDermott (check him out!)

I first heard Jesse Malin when he opened for Ryan Adams several years ago. His stage presence and storytelling reminded me of Bruce Springsteen - and all he had with him was his guitar. "Love It To Life" is his best album yet, surpassing even his debut.