Twilight Zone

Jason Allen | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 5, 2008
• Label: Smith Music Group
• Genres:
• ASIN: B001E4B9Y2
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,495 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Allen's Delightful "Twilight Zone", October 9, 2008

By 

Timothy Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Twilight Zone (Audio CD)

Prime Cuts: He's Still Dancing with Her, Elvis Tonight, When I See God

With its cartoonish depiction of the night sky and its puerile looking typeface, based on just the CD cover one could have mistaken this as a kids' album with New Age proclivities. Conversely, though this is a newly recorded country record, it feels like it was made in the bygone era of the 50s where Roy Orbison's retro-rock and Carl Perkins' rockability were the sonic trump cards of the day. Yet far from being designated as archival music, Allen's radio-friendly youthful vocals are what give "Twilight Zone" a contemporary edge. More than just an adept vocalist, this Texas native also co-wrote 10 out of the 12 tracks here. Unlike many singer-songwriters who overindulge in waxing lyrical at the expense of strong melodic tunes, Allen closes such a cleavage most evident in the moving heart wrenching ballad "He's Still Dancing with Her." A narrative song about a lonely man who still visits a tavern every night dancing as if his wife were still alive, this is the type of songs that not only engages the heart but it's a little homily that true love still exists.

Lightening up the mood with a 50s sounding romp is the irresistibly catchy "Elvis Tonight." There's much to boast about "Elvis Tonight," from its retro feel to its thumping steel guitar lines to all the lyrical Elvis references, this is sure to be a Texas dance hall favorite. The title cut "Twilight Zone" has a dreamy swirling quality to it with Allen putting a fresh spin on heartbreak and loneliness. To highlight the breath of lyrical coverage this album tackles, the album closer "When I See God" is do-wop take on a newly penned Gospel number that is reverent yet unforgettable engaging. Taking another lyrical detour is the ultra romantic "You Make My World Go Round." Simple and well-crafted, "You Make My World Go Round" is a slow dance that easily locks love birds together arm in arm right throughout the song.

The most familiar song in this corpus is Allen's cover of Stevie Wonder's uber 1984 hit "I Just Call to Say I Love You." Though Allen tries to transform it into a country shuffle, but still there's very little Allen could do to get out of Wonder's vocal mannerisms. Such is the inevitable result of covering such a well known hit and it's certainly Allen's mea culpa. "Jenny Lou," a duet with Deryl Dodd, brings together two Texans at the outskirts of country music. Though "Jenny Lou" has a likeable melody, but the two men blend so seamlessly that it doesn't make sense for it to be a duet in the first place.

Despite these quibbles, "Twilight Zone" is still a strong record with the pride of place being its strong melodies and easy on the ear production. Unlike some country CDs which are so cluttered with wall of noise that it's hard to enjoy the melodies, here the backings support rather than intrude. With a CD this good, the twilight zone may not be as scary as one would think.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing CD!, April 22, 2010

By 

Shopping Junkie (Kingwood, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twilight Zone (Audio CD)

I absolutely love all of Jason Allen's music. My love affair with his music started when i first heard It's Your World from his Live at Gruene Hall CD at a country bar and from then on he has taken over my ipod and CD player. From the 2-step songs to the Waltz to the knee slappin' beer drinkin' songs. He is amazing.

I have had the pleasure of going to many of his shows in Houston and the surrounding cities..I am not shy about driving a couple of hours to see him perform...and he is so kind!!

Hands down he is one of my favorite country music singers.

This CD is a must buy and so are the other ones.