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Review
Where a slow-burning, word of mouth campaign was hugely beneficial to Jon Allen – his debut album, 2009’s Dead Man’s Suit, was given a sizeable leg-up by one track’s use in a Land Rover campaign, while champions included Jo Whiley, Jools Holland and Emmylou Harris – second album Sweet Defeat not only has the task of matching this, but is also burdened with the albatross of assumed instant impact. But it seems as though that’s the last thing Allen is worried about.
While his passport may substantiate the on-paper Britishness of this Hampshire-born artist, his yarns and philosophies paint a picture of a grizzled American folk musician, decades of abandon behind him. Sweet Defeat, in this vein, employs good honest rock'n'roll ideals, actioned via a collection of simple, folksy melodies.
Opener Joanna offers a thoughtful helping of drive-along Americana, while the bluesy strum and unembroidered narrative of Lucky I Guess lightens the tone. But the remainder of Sweet Defeat is largely an introverted, country-flecked affair, with a serene modesty permeating proceedings. A few sparse examples of sober attitude depict a more ballsy side to Allen, in particular the teeth-bearing stance of No One Gets Out of Here Alive. But for the most part, his subtly gravelly tone covertly achieves this, regardless of each track’s own theme.
Truth be told, Allen doesn't have the most urgent identity. The robust, muscular intricacies of his voice do unveil themselves over time, but on the surface Sweet Defeat bears no quirks or gimmicks or immediate distinctiveness. And yet, rather than resulting in generic indifference, it actually provides a sizeable part of its charm. Sweet Defeat doesn't set out to conquer the iPods of a billion consumers – it simply, and rather beautifully, illustrates the talent of its author, on a level he dictates. And you can’t help feel that, no matter how many eminent ears he manages to prick up, that’s an understated tenacity he won’t ever stray from.
--Al Fox
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I fisrt heard this on radio 2 and liked his voice so much I decided to get the album and I don't regreat it one bit, it is a very enjoyable cd to listen too. I look forward to hearing more from this artist.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I picked up a copy of this cd at Jon's gig on Friday night and gave it a few spins over the weekend. His debut album was so good that it was always going to be difficult to follow up, but this is a mighty fine effort. The sound is more refined and the whole album rather more produced than Dead Mans Suit, and therefore probably more radio friendly. It's also more musically diverse than DMS with different influences creeping in. To me he remains at his best when the songs are pared back and the backing vocals and horns on the title track are a mistake, but it is still a great collection of songs beautifully sung. It makes me look forward to album number three as much as I looked forward to this one. The final song is a little masterpiece called Last Orders and concludes with the line 'and the bells of goodbye never sound' an appropriate thought for his carear which is still on the up. For a taster checkout Jon's facebook page where half the album is being streamed.
Format:Audio CD
couple of good tracks the rest average just lucky I guess is the best track on the album blues type number easy going song
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Voice....Great Songs!
Seen Jon in concert and bought this great album.....his personal experience comes through in spades and he deserves to be heard more
Published 6 months ago by Frank
Sweet Defeat
This is one of my favourite albums of the year - I absolutely love it. Jon Allen's voice and overall songwritting skills are superb. Read more
Published 6 months ago by AndyMac
Lovely listening
I love this album. I have bought many albums in the past and always found that I like some songs but not others, but this on is different as I love all of them. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Siggy
Good listening, but not as original as Dead Man's Suit
This is well worth listening to, but to me, does not have the originality of Dead Man's Suit.
It's all very pleasant, but not gripping. Read more
It's all very pleasant, but not gripping. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dr. L. Causton
Most of the songs sound like someone else's!
Do you remember the Rutles' Beatles parody, when every song in the film/on the album sounded just like a particular Beatles' song? Well, we have a modern day equivalent. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Terrahurtz
Another great album
I caught Jon Allen originally via tha Radio 2 playlist when his last album was released and was also lucky enough to see him live. Read more
Published 10 months ago by F. Rowe
sweet defeat brill
this dvd is just fantastic after listening to this i had to buy his first album,he reminds me of so many people all rolled into one...just to mention a few.. Read more
Published 10 months ago by jeanie
Just as good as the first cd!
Just got this cd and loved it as soon as i played it!Luv track one and "Loves made a fool out of me"I dont think this guy gets enough credit,I saw him live and was just like... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Celene Croy
Sweet Defeat By Jon Allen
Jon Allen is a very talented young singer songwriter.I have attended several live performances
and found him to be a wonderful entertainer. Read more
and found him to be a wonderful entertainer. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jill
Sweet Defeat
Really good album,the music style reveals how he is more experienced now and how his style is developing. CD arrived in perfect condition, really quickly.
Published 11 months ago by em
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