Even Springsteen couldn't turn bland into beautiful
In order to create 'Broken Radio' Jesse Malin took two measures of piano, three cups of his own smooth, fairly high-pitched and somewhat range-limited voice, a handful of guitars and a light sprinkling of electronic noises. The resulting sound is somewhat reminiscent of 80's stadium rock, although with the hard edges rounded off; and it will come as no surprise that it is a perfect example of "mum and dad rock" - pop rock the over 40s will find irresistable but which lacks the passion and originality the younger generation have come to love (it's no surprise that the press release mentions a play on Radio 2 rather than Radio 1). The single also features an album version of the same track which is essentially the same, only two seconds shorter (yes, shorter) than the radio mix.
B-Side 'Sister Christian Where Are You Now' is a faster affair, characterised by a driving beat, wall of sound chorus and electric guitars playing the same chords over and over. If 'Broken Radio' is mum and dad rock, this is kid rock - bland guitar pop that no-one over the age of fourteen would admit to listening to. Jesse allegedly was a member of a hardcore punk band before turning solo, and his press release claims that third album 'Glitter In The Gutter' (an album sadly named without awareness of cliche) - which 'Broken Record' is taken from - is his 'toughest-rocking' solo album to date. Let's just say that if these tracks are anything to go by those first two albums are unlikely to scare your granny.
If there's one thing these tracks do well, it is confidently delivering formulaic pieces that will slide easily into the ears of those who like their "rock" poppy, bland and polished. In a music scene populated by such over-produced acts it is however hard not to question whether we need more syrupy offerings such as these.