Jon Allen - Sweet Defeat

by Spencer Robertshaw

published: 6 / 5 / 2011

Label: Monologue Records
Format: CD

Sublime second album of acoustic Americana from acclaimed singer-songwriter, Jon Allen

Review

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 Joanna
2 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