CD Review: Malin, the Good Cover Artist

http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/malin_s_album_covers_ground_of_rock_n_roll_territory-1.1318387

Malin's album covers ground of rock'n'roll territory
Grade: B+

Covers may scream with potential for murder, but in the hands of the right people they become timeless and accessible throughout generations.

Jesse Malin’s On Your Sleeve might be covers galore, but this unique singer-songwriter crafts his covers in style.

He isn’t shy about his variety of choices, either. Lyrics from song No. 1 Bad Brains’ “Leaving Babylon” will probably sting deep, as Malin laments, “I say your dollar, dollar cut down real low / You ain’t got nothin’ to show / Gonna step right through the door / Not gonna come back no more.”

And while the music for Paul Simon’s “Me And Julio Down By The School Yard” is much more lively, the contrast with the lyrics should bring a look of bewilderment to anyone paying attention: “The mama pajama rolled out of bed / And she ran to the police station / When the papa found out he began to shout / And he started the investigation / It’s against the law.”

But no worries, Malin definitely brings more to the musical table. Neil Young’s “Lookin’ For A Love” introduces a bouncy beat and words that will make everyone smile while missing lovers past, present and even future.

Malin threw in an Elton John redo with a funky yet classic twist — “Harmony” lives up to its name with plenty of classic instruments and a possible synthesizer. Oddly the mix is able to throw peace at listeners rather well. It should, if it wants to match the words, “Harmony, gee I really love you / And I want to love you forever / And dream of the never, never, never leaving harmony.”

Rolling Stones fans will recognize the song “Sway,” just as Bruce Springsteen fans will recognize “Hungry Heart.” And while Malin has adapted them to be his own, sung in his subtly passionate voice, neither can be classified as mutated and mutilated.

Malin can go on to offer some more classic rocking guitar to share in “Russian Roulette.” In the tune he eagerly proclaims, with hippie-era slang, “Hey hey hey we’re in the movie. I feel up and I feel groovy / Let’s go out and get some of that. Gimme gimme gimme some Russian Roulette.” The track was originally by 1980s post-punk act Lords of the New Church, but in Malin’s hands it takes a new driving rock force, verging on U2 territory.

Don’t rely entirely on music throughout the album. “Walk on the Wild Side” is not exactly musically able to live up to its name, with just guitars and brass — but this is only because there’s a story to tell, and it isn’t really a happy one. Malin’s smoothed-out, Sunday morning version doesn’t exactly capture Lou Reed’s glory.

Malin is a good judge of when to turn up the tunes and when to back off and let the words do what words do best: Tell a story. Each song is emotional, the majority are rocking and charming in their instrument selections and all have something to offer waiting listeners.