Album Review: Jessica Allyn gets inspired with 'Delusions of Grandeaur'

Jessica Allyn, Delusions of Grandeur

New York, NY

Unsigned 

For fans of: Amanda Palmer, The Smiths, Emilyn Brodsky, Cabaret Punk

By Star Child

Today marks the release of Jessica Allyn's new album, Delusions of Grandeur featuring 11 songs that showcase different stories themed around the 7 deadly sins. There are '90s, cabaret, soul, folk, and rock influences in the music that give the album a nice vibe. Jessica Allyn's music is complemented by Rob Franceschini on guitar, bass, piano, synth and string arrangement and Jason Foulke on drums. Furthermore, the songwriting throughout the release is mature, thoughtful, and smart. 

"The album is about the 7 deadly sins, and Delusions of Grandeur, a running theme in my life as of the last year, or so," Allyn says. "I write what I see, and so it's my personal experience with those two themes."

Overall, the album takes you through a story of these two themes. In that way it acts like a  concept record, which makes it fun to try to piece the story together. You hear the emotion behind the lyrics and the music shines through. This a refreshing listen from this New York based trio. 

The lead single “Nigeria” starts with ukulele, piano, and finger snaps. "Folie de Grandeaur" is a fun, danceable, sing-along ditty that goes, "You got too big for your britches, now you're just one of those stuck up bitches." That might be one of my favorite lines in that album or maybe it seems that way because it's so catchy. "Number Nine" starts off acoustically highlights and Allyn's beautiful, strong range of vocals. There are lighter acoustic and ukulele driven songs with some angry and straight-forward overtones.

"I guess the album sort of starts off light to exhibit how everything seems safe, and okay, and slowly starts to get darker as the album goes on, showing the decline in a person's life due to their 'delusions of grandeur,' she says. "It's a cautionary tale in a way. How ego can destroy a person."

'Delusions' is available on bandcamp, Amazon., and iTunes. Exclusively for bandcamp, if you pay $11 for the album you get a link to download the band's documentary "Noises from the Basement: The Making of Delusions” directed by drummer Jason Foulke. 

Delusions of Gradeur Tracklisting:
1. Nigeria
2. Folie de Grandeaur
3. Throw Down
4. You Belong to Me
5. Entr'Acte
6. Bellicose Serenade
7. The Warden Makes House Calls
8. In Their Faces
9. Number Nine
10. Town Without Pity

11. Mother Goddamn

Jessica Allyn is hosting a CD Release/ Birthday Party at Tommy's Tavern in Brooklyn on April 2. Also performing is This Way to the Egress (10pm) and Jacob from Jaybird (12am). Doors at 9:30pm. Allyn is on at 11pm. $5. 21+. After the show from 1am-3pm Allyn is DJingand hosting a dance party. Tommy's Tavern is located at 1041 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY. (G train to Greenpoint Av. // Tommy's is on the corner of Freeman & Manhattan.)

Jessica Allyn Shows:

4/2 @ Tommy's Tavern, Brooklyn, NY (CD Release Show/Party)
4/24 @ The Wave,  Patchogue, NY (all ages)