Jon Allen - Sweet Defeat
by Spencer Robertshaw
published: 6 / 5 / 2011
Label:
Monologue Records
Format: CD
intro
Sublime second album of acoustic Americana from acclaimed singer-songwriter, Jon Allen
As a follow up to acclaimed singer-songwriter Jon Allen's 2009 successful debut album, 'Dead Man's Suit', his second album really had to be special or else it would have been eaten up by the former. Luckily enough 'Sweet Defeat' has stood its ground and is a very good piece of work. There is a slight resemblance to Stealers Wheel on a couple of tracks. This is a good thing, but they hold their own as being individual enough to remind you of them yet not copy. I always find this type of track what I call ‘a smiler’ – a track which instantly makes you smile and nod your head in respect. There are some truly great tracks on this CD, and Jon has managed to make each one different from each other, yet they all follow a certain vibe. I don’t like naming tracks on a strong album because I think it takes something away from the others, but track 10, ‘No One Gets Out of Here Alive’, and track 11, ‘Last Orders’, give an impression of what two thirds of the album is like. Jon has a great gravel like hoarseness to his voice which suits the acoustic Americana that dominates this album and even sounds a little like Simon and Garfunkel in some places. Then we have the first track, ‘Joanna’, which is going to be released as a single showcasing the other more upbeat third. This album is going to be left in the CD for repeat plays. Did I hear some Neil Young harmonica in there somewhere? - Maybe. Did I hear a great album? - Definitely !
Track Listing:-
1 Joanna2 Stealing Away
3 Time To Cry
4 Broken Town
5 Lucky I Guess
6 Think Of You
7 Sweet Defeat
8 Love's Made A Fool Out Of Me
9 Here Tonight
10 No One Gets Out Of Here Alive
11 Last Orders
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/jonallenmusichttp://jonallensongs.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/JonAllenmusic
Label Links:-
http://www.monologuegroup.com/https://www.facebook.com/Monologue-Records-221441157888569
soundcloud
reviews |
Deep River (2014) |
Emotive and soulful third album from increasingly popular London-based but Winchester-born singer-songwriter, Jon Allen |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart