Jesse Malin- Star Smile Strong (DVD)

Advantages: Singer-songwriter to be reckoned with
Disadvantages: Still trying to find any

...This guys rocks, I cannot say it enough! He used to be in a punk outfit, now he's out on his own, with a sparse sound and an eye for stories, but the same angry spirit. The sound is all about jagged New York guitars and his sweet, broken voice. The subjects are life on the road (Swinging Man), his home town (Silver Manhattan), heartbreak, dealing with your ex (Since You're in Love), America, even incest (Basement Home). The instrumentation is simple enough to showcase the lyrics, which are poetic in the way that only simple, carefully chosen images can be. It's all spiced up with humour which reassures you that he doesn't take himself too seriously even in the depths of depression. Jesse Malin is a songwriter this world needs, who tells stories you can connect with, makes you laugh, makes you cry, all with the kind of energy Coldplay... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: captures aspects of the outlaws not seen in other films
Disadvantages: Some romanticising, a little inaccuracy

...of Frank being the level headed one and the fundamental tool in keeping any semblance of control on Jesse. Randy Travis I will come to talk about shortly. In this film the Younger's take more of a back seat. The Long Riders title gives you the impression it incorporates the gang in its entirety and it does. However in this instance the Frank and Jesse title isn't a dupe, the focus really is very much on the brothers. The explicit look into the Younger's that is in The Long Riders, is not in this film and the younger's are more like extras. Now, with that being said the film has legendary Country & Western singer Randy Travis cast has Cole Younger. There is enough development of the character to give him a strong role in the film but in large to emphasise the storyline about Frank and Jesse. For example the film explores the angst between Cole... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great songs, huge talent, Westerberg cover version
Disadvantages: Some naff lyrics in parts

...of young" originally recorded by Westerberg's band The Replacements (another favourite of mine) and Malin's piano version is not only surprising but also cleverly executed. Finally the also very wonderful Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age puts in an appearance at least to put to bed any ideas you may have that Jesse Malin is just a frustrated Sprinsgteen wannabe. The two stand out tracks are "Prisoners of Paradise" and "Little Star"; punky numbers with punchy choruses and great guitar work. Both songs would have been huge singles if this album had been made in the 1980s when it was acceptable to write songs that told a story. "Glitter in the Gutter" is a well balanced collection of songs that move nicely between rock and pop with one or two hints of country along the way. It's a very "American" album and is a portrait of a very... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful