“★★★★★ Malin writes vivid songs with killer tunes and sings them with scary conviction…There is simply nothing more you can demand from a great rock record.”
—The Times, on The Fine Art of Self Destruction
Released in 2003, Jesse Malin’s acclaimed debut The Fine Art of Self Destruction “wasn’t named for drug or alcohol abuse,” says Malin. “It was more about a personal wreckage when I looked back on my life, from my parents’ divorce to failed relationships, broken up bands, dropping out of school, crashing cars, breaking things. It was more of a spiritual journey in some sense. This record is definitely one of my favorites.”
To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary, The Fine Art of Self Destruction will be reissued on February 17, 2023 and paired with a bonus album of the entire album, reimagined and re-recorded with Malin’s longtime band. The bonus album was produced by Derek Cruz and engineered by Geoff Sanoff, who worked on Jesse’s recent albums Sunset Kids and Sad and Beautiful World. Limited edition 20th anniversary vinyl is available for preorder here.
Watch the video for the new version of “Brooklyn” titled “Brooklyn (Walt Witman in the Trash).” Directed by Catherine Popper and Vivian Wang, the video honors old New York. “Cat and Vivian have a great sense of beauty, art, and the decay,” says Malin. “‘Brooklyn’ is about beginnings, those early days of innocence and big dreams that often collide with irreversible mistakes and regret. We try to find ways to accept the mistakes and look back with laughter, forgiveness, and love.”
Following his teenage years in the pioneering hardcore band Heart Attack and his 20s fronting the wild and beloved D Generation, Malin took a cue from his songwriting heroes and was ready for a chance to stand alone. The album was recorded over six days in New York City, live and raw.
“I was still learning how to sing and tell stories. These songs were written in a little apartment downtown, without a record deal, a manager, or any expectation of anything coming of it—just a need to write them.”
On Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Webster Hall, in New York City, Jesse and his band will perform the album in its entirety, plus music from his latest album Sad and Beautiful World, and beyond. Special guests include Lucinda Williams, Tommy Stinson, Butch Walker, Cait O’Riordan (The Pogues), Catherine Popper, Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) opener Fantastic Cat, with more surprises on the way. Tickets are on sale now.
Tracklisting
1 Queen of the Underworld
2 TKO
3 Wendy
4 Downliner
5 Brooklyn
6 The Fine Art of Self-Destruction
7 Riding on the Subway
8 High Lonesome
9 Solitaire
10 Almost Grown
11 Xmas
12 Cigarettes and Violets
13.Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)
14.Riding on the Subway ’22
15.Downliner (Afterglow Version)
16.High Lonesome (PBR Vacation)
17.Cigarettes and Violets ’22
18.Almost Grown (Busker Version)
19.Solitaire (Song for Kelly Keller)
20.Queen of the Underworld (Cantina Version)
2. Xmas, Etc.
Watch the video for “Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)”
Preorder / Presave The Fine Art of Self Destruction
Hear Jesse Malin’s latest album Sad and Beautiful World
