Insanely prolific multi-instrumentalist alt-rock guru Ryan Allen (also known for the great Extra Arms) is preparing to release solo album number... I don't know... seven? Ten? It's a lot. But, Livin' on a Prayer on the Edge (pre-order on LP or CD) is another damn fine 12-song, 30-minute collection of energetic and well-textured alternative rock that spans a range of influences from fast-paced and catchy to quirky and acoustic-tinged to fuzzed-up dual guitar runs and then some.
Ryan had the following to share about lead track, "I Should (But I Don't Really Wanna)"—plus its video, and the album as a whole:
When I was younger, the most important thing in the world to me was going out, hanging with friends, seeing bands three or four nights a week, and just generally getting wasted and in trouble with my crew. But, well, I'm no longer young, have been sober from alcohol for eight years and... there's a lot of good stuff on TV!
While that young person still lives inside of me, and from time to time reemerges and participates in society, "I Should (But I Don't Really Wanna)" is essentially about that transition you make from being a party boy to a person that loves a good pair of sweatpants. The video pays tribute to doing my favorite thing, which is chilling at home with my wife, getting stoned, and watching bad reality TV. The world is so crazy, sometimes you just need to dissociate with some Love is Blind and a weed gummy.
Musically, it's the lead track on my new record—Livin' on a Prayer on the Edge—and sets the template for the rest of the album: big, loud, chime-y guitars, a focus on melody, harmony, and drums that smack you in the face with no hesitation. It's basically a musical tribute to staying up late on Sunday nights and seeing videos by Teenage Fanclub, The Lemonheads, Sugar, and Swervedriver on MTV's 120 Minutes (full disclosure: sometimes I couldn't stay up and taped it instead).
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Livin' on a Prayer on the Edge will be out April 25 on LP, CD, and digital. Pre-order the vinyl through Setterwind Records, or CD/digital through Ryan's Bandcamp. You can also find Ryan on Instagram.
