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Album Details

• Artist: Jesse Malin
• Album: The Fine Art of Self Destruction
• Label: Artemis
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-03-31

Many people will recognize the name Jesse Malin as the ex-lead singer of the ill-fated D Generation. After the demise of his band he was left to reconsider his future.A friend since the D Generation days, Ryan Adams of Whiskeytown fame, decided to produce Malin's solo debut album, even though never producing before. No time like the present, so they headed in the studio and The Fine Art of Self Destruction is the result. Not surprisingly, Malin's album ends up sounding a little like Ryan Adams but a little more pop oriented. Oh, there's plenty of wallowing going on here. What else would you expect from an album of this title? Despite Ryan's hand in the album, it is surprisingly lacking in the country vein. This is a good thing because Jesse's vocals suit a more Pete Yorn style of singing. If his stupidly catchy track "Wendy" ever makes it onto the airwaves, this album will blow up. Most of the album really seems introspective and Malin wears his heart on his sleeve. It's always interesting when an able singer/songwriter steps out from the shelter of their band. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. In Jesse's case, it works well.

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