Out today, Ryan Allen's new solo album
The Last Rock Band was originally conceived as the third Extra Arms album. The concept for
The Last Rock Band was inspired by one simple question: "What if there were only one rock band left on Earth?" It was the middle of February 2020. There was not a trace of real rock and roll anywhere near the pop charts. As Allen pondered the long-debated "Is rock dead?" question, he began crafting a narrative of a fictional rock and roll band — literally the last one in existence. And then you-know-what happened. There were no more band practices, live shows, or recording sessions. A song cycle pondering the death of rock and roll may have suddenly felt way too real. The project was shelved. When it became possible for Extra Arms to make music again, there were more pressing issues to write about. New songs were written, and they became the excellent album
What Is Even Happening Right Now?. Yet it always bothered Allen that
The Last Rock Band remained unfinished. So he went into Big Sky Recording with producer Geoff Michael and recorded the album one-man-band style. And now here it is.
An important aspect of The Last Rock Band as a concept album is that even if you removed the concept, it would still be a terrific pop rock and roll record. These are really good songs. I also appreciate that the album ties a fictional tale together with Allen's personal story of coming to love music. While the narrative traces the rise, fall, and re-birth of an imagined band, one gets the sense that a lot of these songs are very personal to Allen. "Discovery" describes some musical discoveries of his youth (Public Enemy and Nirvana are directly referenced) that were literally life-changing. It may be coincidence, but the turn of events that take place between "Bought a Computer" and "Second Act" parallel Bob Mould's retirement from rock and eventual triumphant return. The whole album is essentially a love letter to critical bands in Allen's musical universe, and thus it jumps around quite a bit stylistically. Allen conceived the album as something akin to a mixed tape, and that really comes through in the songs. I'm hearing echoes of everyone from The Who ("Start a Band") to the Ramones ("Like the Ramones") to the Replacements ("Wrong Place Wrong Time") to AC/DC ("Second Act") to David Bowie ("We Have Returned") along side power ballads ("Stop the Train"), synth-pop numbers ("Bought a Computer"), and arena rock anthems ("Because I Have To"). In a way, this album is a logical successor to Allen's 2021 release What A Rip. Allen as a solo artist has never rocked harder; one can easily imagine this being an Extra Arms album. So if the loud pop side of Ryan Allen is your thing, this release ought to be up your alley.
I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying
The Last Rock Band ends on a positive note. "Because I Have To" is another song where the real Ryan Allen weaves his way into this mostly imaginary rock opera. Here he finally answers the "Is rock dead?" question definitely.
Of course rock is alive. The very existence of this album (and many more like it releasing every year) proves it. As I listen to this album, I envision a kid in his bedroom recording songs off the radio and listening to mixed tapes. I don't know if I'm seeing myself or Ryan Allen. Perhaps that's the point. In 2023, we have digital playlists instead of mixed tapes, and there's not much on commercial radio worth recording. But modern technology has given us an access to new and exciting sounds that the young Ryan Allen or Josh Rutledge could have only dreamed of. Pop charts be damned — all those people discovering life-changing music at this very moment are the living heartbeat of rock and roll.
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