More on: Jesse Malin

Label: One Little Indian
Release Date: 21/05/07
Rating:

Jesse Malin adopts the guise of Neil Young for 'Broken Radio', a down-at-heel ballad that would be at home on either 'After The Gold Rush' or Mercury Rev's 'Deserters Songs'. A melancholy piano accompanies Malin for the first verse and chorus, before the introduction of strings and special guest star Bruce Springsteen, who then takes centre stage for the second verse.

Except for the presence of Springsteen, the track itself is nothing out of the ordinary, and sees the pair taking turns to reminisce and regret as they sway gently in the breeze, with Malin the young sapling safe in the shadow of the mighty oak.

With a chorus of "the angels love you more than you know, raised on robbery and rock 'n' roll", 'Broken Radio' displays a Stateside rock swagger that has hit hard times, shuffling through the mean streets with a bottle of scotch clenched under its arm for comfort. For Springsteen completists this is a must have. For the rest, don't expect too much.

Richard Stokoe

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