It's hard to imagine a guy who'd say fuck you to everybody is the same who'd say his family (and Elvis Costello) are his heroes. He says his greatest achievement is "not dying," and he's a budding dad man whose family has negated any desperation or desire to do anything other than exactly what he wants musically. He's not trying to escape anything other than mediocrity, and his solo album is where he is right now. Ten or even five years from now, he'll be somewhere else. Dude's confident.

Celebrate the release of Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms on Saturday, March 26, at the Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-3644, with Copper Thieves and Big Mess.

Ryan Allen's five life-changing albums

Weezer:
Blue Record
(Geffen, 1994)

Elvis Costello:
This Year's Model
(Radar, 1978)

Sloan:
Twice Removed
(Geffen, 1994)

Paul Simon:
Graceland
(Warner Bros., 1986)

Sunny Day Real Estate:
Diary
(Sub Pop, 1994)

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