Love It to Life

iTunes Review

Jesse Malin’s love for classic rock ‘n’ roll — Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, the Ramones, Paul Westerberg — has never been in doubt and over the years he has tried a number of ways to make the connection with audiences that would surely love his music if they were to hear it. He has Bruce Springsteen’s endorsement and with Love It to Life, perhaps, he will finally connect with the mainstream as tunes such as “Burning the Bowery,” “All The Way From Moscow” and the Mink DeVille-like soul of “Lowlife In a Highrise” bleed with a mix of rock ‘n’ roll blood that recalls the passion of the ‘70s without surrendering completely to the era that gave rise to Malin’s truest convictions. “The Archer” and “St. Marks Sunset” sweeten up the slow lane. “Disco Ghetto” strikes up a band that’s learned how to crank up the Rolling Stones grind flawlessly. Malin’s one of the truest rockers on the scene, a man born with a rock ‘n’ roll heart. It’s high time for him to connect with an audience who knows how to add enthusiasm to a readymade anthem such as “Burn the Bridge.”