Out of Warranty by Allen Wentz

Reached critical mass with "Play That Funky Music", and the attendant Grammy nods, and gold and platinum spray-painted wall hangings. It was quick. (Better to have been there once than not at all!) Worked as NYC session musician for a number of years. Tried on a few different hats, including way too much computer stuff, but cannot stop making music. Now I just turn on a couple of computers, plug in a microphone and play. I hope you enjoy it."

Influences include, but certainly not limited to:

beethoven, bach, stravinsky, pee wee hunt, boots randolph, pete fountain, al hirt, richard penniman, liberace, johnny horton, henry mancini, beatles, hollies, beach boys, yardbirds, animals, dylan, bowie, paul butterfield, mamas & papas, kinks, who, 4 seasons, byrds, hendrix, cream, knickerbockers, band, joni mitchell, todd rundgren, zappa, steve winwood, john mayall, ledzep, pink floyd, chet atkins, 10cc, steely dan, eagles, kate bush, herbie hancock, devo, wendy carlos, police, gary numan, kraftwerk, gabriel, alanis morrisette, beck, ani difranco

So what does "Out of Warranty" sound like? Well, like Gabriel, Floyd, Beatles, Hollies, Knopfler, Dylan, Beck, Wilson, Eagles... "I am a synthesis of all that I've ingested. Sometimes obvious, sometimes not."

Album review from June '05 Ear Candy Magazine!!

Allen Wentz,"Out of Warranty" (Overnight Music)

OUT OF WARRANTY is a gem - with obvious Gabriel, Floyd, Beatles, Hollies, Knopfler, Dylan, Beck, Wilson, and Eagles influences. But I also hear Rundgren, Byrds, and Styx, in the mix. Wentz says it best when he describes his work as: "I am a synthesis of all that I've ingested. Sometimes obvious, sometimes not." But that's only on the surface. Just when you get used to the familiar, almost retro sounds, Wentz puts bizarre techno twists in. His lyrical brilliance shines on "Planet Hollywood", a scathing tale of California as well as "Too Little, Too Late" with its "Obi Wan can't save you here, the force is null and void my dear". "Any Other Thursday" is simply beautiful.

However, the creme de la creme has to be his cover of The Beatles "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"! Yes, you've gotta have balls to cover a Beatles song, and cover it properly he does - taking "Lucy" to places that Lennon probably couldn't have imagined. It combines elements of the original, along with a very "Good Morning, Good Morning"-type horn section, mixed with assorted techno infusions. John would definitely be proud, as this version kicks the ass of Elton's 1975 version!

All in all, OUT OF WARRANTY is a surprise slam-dunk!

www.overnight-music.com

Rating:

4 and 3/4 (out of 5) --> Earcandy Review

REVIEWED- "Kathryn In Blue"

Popolitious!

Nice pop sensibilities! It reminds me of The Lemonheads, it's almost too hard to find fault with because it just sounds fun and harmless. I really like the Tom Petty vocals, and the harmonica is a nice touch. The harmonizing chorus gives this a Monkees (and hense Beatles) flavor. My favorite instrument in this song is, believe it or not, the keyboards, which is very sunk into the background, but seems to provide a nice canvas for this song and fills the sound in perfectly. The song itself is good, it made my foot involuntarily tap. The breakdowns were so subtle they almost slid by. I think if they were any harsher I wouldn't have accepted it. In all, this is a good pop song, that might get some play on an alternative station. It should, if there were any justice.

Reviewed by: Judkins from Vergennes, Vermont

Sounds great!!- Adam Curry (I know, short. But hey, he's a very busy guy and he played it immediately on his 4/12/05 show!)

Solid Pop

Beautifully written pop song. A sophisticated chordsmith has been tinkering around to great effect. Thank god for brits with brains. If I were president this song would be a hit. Oh well. I know I'm not supposed to simply opine subjectively and wax stupid about how something "rules" but whatever. It rules. Kinks. Beatles. Early Who. Robin Hitchcock and the beat goes on. Cool.

- RAGEM from Lincolnwood, Illinois on 12Apr2005

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