Jay Bennett - The Magnificent Defeat

  by Geraint Jones

published: 22 / 10 / 2006

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‘The Magnificent Defeat’, Jay Bennett’s third solo release, also represents the concluding part of a project conceived as a trilogy and intended to be released in close proximity. Not having heard either of its predecessors, ‘Bigger Than Blue’ and ‘The Beloved Enemy’, both of which were released in 2004, I can only assess though his latest opus in isolation. Although recording began on schedule, a series of unfortunate events resulted in its prolonged formation and subsequently delayed release; most noticeably several family bereavements, as well as a divorce and a major illness in Bennett’s immediate family. Having recovered from his surprising and apparently somewhat acrimonious departure from Wilco, following the completion of ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ in 2002, by 2004 Bennett was absolutely back in the swing of things with two solo sets, a collaboration with Edward Burch as well as numerous production and session assignments all under his belt. After more than seven years with Wilco that had seen them reap plaudits in alt. country, power pop, folk and more experimental circles, from their sprawling ‘Being There’ set via ‘Summerteeth’ and two volumes of ‘Mermaid Avenue’, their adaptations of Woody Guthrie’s lyrics in conjunction with Billy Bragg, and finally their more left field invention with ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’, Bennett’s integral part of their artistic success was undeniable. Consequently I would imagine Bennett’s found these last couple of relatively unproductive years frustrating. Now clearly back on track though, ‘The Magnificent Defeat’ is the distillation of almost 70 tracks that Bennett wrote and recorded when he effectively dropped all his commitments and retreated into his studio for a prolonged catharsis through renewed creativity. Recorded almost entirely solo, the album in an intriguing listen that which, while more often than not coming across as frazzled and sloppy, still offers some genuinely sublime moments of invention. Embracing elements of Americana, psychedelia (check out the sitar on ‘The Palace At 4am') and classic pop, ‘The Magnificent Defeat’ is by no means an easy listen. In fact it’s often a bloody mess , but - while I think that was Bennett’s intention - to his credit it’s an appealing bloody mess. It’s taken me several listens to really appreciate its appeal and, while others may baulk after one spin, I think it’s worth persevering with. ‘Replace You’ is the first of several strong tracks the album has to offer, its slightly eschew, almost buried melody becomes increasingly ingrained the more you play it. While not gifted with the most appealing voice in the world – Bennett’s vocal imprint at times is reminiscent of a woozy, rough hewn hybrid of Elvis Costello and Evan Dando – set among his often free form arrangements, it somehow just seems to work. Elsewhere the minimal splendour of ‘Survey The Damage’ is an understated 24 carat pop jewel, as indeed is ‘I’m Feelin Fine’, Bennett’s almost choral woohoos proving utterly irresistible. Simultaneously flawed and fascinating, and perhaps a tad over indulgent at times, ‘The Magnificent Defeat’ details Jay Bennett’s fixing and finding himself again after a condensed spell of hard knocks. Concluding as it does after an especially strong second half performance, I await the rematch with keen anticipation.

Track Listing:-

1 Slow Beautifully Seconds Faster
2 5th Grade
3 Wide Open
4 The Palace At 4AM
5 Replace You
6 Out All Night
7 Thank You
8 Phone Book
9 Overexcusers
10 Survey The Damage
11 Butterfly
12 I'm Feelin' Fine
13 Gold

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