Schwindy's indie music spotlight: Allensworth

The music of Allensworth is referred to as "soCal feelgood music." If you gave me a couple days, maybe I could come up with a genre label as good as that one. But why bother? SoCal feelgood music is the perfect description for this band. It is part soul and part rock, but more than anything this is music that just begs to be played on a sunny day or around a beach bonfire. Granted, most of the country isn't getting a lot of sunny days right now. That's fine, because this is also good music to help you forget how cold it might be outside.

Most of the songs are a pretty easygoing combination of singer-songwriter stuff and soul. Then comes "Thunder." Mind you this is a pretty easygoing song, but this one sounds like it was influenced by Parliament and Funkadelic. The bass is definitely from the funk school while the guitar has a sort of psychedelic sound to it. It's a nice changeup.

"Thunder" is followed by "5 Dimes." When you hear this song (yes, even if you're in your car), you'll probably want to hold up a lighter and sway back and forth. Until about halfway through the song, that is. It goes from this mellow slow jam to the bridge that sounds like it was influenced by Led Zeppelin back to the slow jam that seems like a hybrid of Seth Walker and Flying Burrito Brothers.

Allensworth writes a fine song and his music has a way of putting you in a good mood. If you need some music to get you through the long gray days of winter, pick up Against the Grain.

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, Orange County Music Examiner

Gary is a music fanatic, highlighting the best in OC bands, venues, and music events. He has written about music for 10 years and interviewed countless artists, including Grammy nominees Bettye Lavette and Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon. In addition to his work with Examiner, he publishes a...

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