Arguably the most affecting moment from JESSE MALIN'S third album 'Glitter In The Gutter', 'Broken' Radio' was the one screaming 'massive radio ballad smash!' from the off and it's only right it should get the chance to prove its' worth on its' own.
OK, admittedly it helps that Jesse can call upon some seriously influential sidekicks to realise the dream. Let's face it, there aren't many of us who can call Bruce Springsteen to add further vocal gravitas to an already heart-rending four minutes of piano and string-drenched glory. Or drop a text to Ryan Adams to ask him to stop by and add some strategic guitar, for that matter. Crucially, though, 'Broken Radio' is cracked and poignant Malin at his brilliant best and if you can possibly resist that refrain of "the angels love you more than you know/ raised on robbery and rock'n'roll"...well, suffice it to say your heart is harder than mine.
There are two versions of the title tune on display. Personally, this hack believes the crestfallen dignity of the original is so beauitful it's unnecessary to play around with it, but the 'radio mix' is handled relatively tactfully by Dave Bascombe, who comes armed with discreet loops and electronica and sensibly avoids too much redecoration.
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Completists - and our numbers are swelling - will also be delighted to hear that the gritty rock'n'roll of 'Glitter In The Gutter' is revisited by the nostalgic, but diamond hard 'Sister Christian Where Are You Now' which will delight as soon as the typically pumping riff smashes its' way through the door. As always, Jesse's having a ball with the NYC references (everything from the Village Voice to the Jersey Shore) coming thick and fast and for the genius line about "back from college with carnal knowledge" alone this one gets the thumbs up from around these parts.
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