David Burke The Quad City Times 10/29/2009

LYNN ALLEN
Nine © 2009

Billy Peiffer has a long list - both pros and cons - when it comes to the digital music age.

It meant he had to give up his day job of owning a recording studio, which he had in downtown Davenport until about three years ago.

"Once it went completely digital and everybody could put a studio in their own home, owning a recording studio's just not feasible," he said.

But it also meant new avenues for Lynn Allen, the band Peiffer founded 27 years ago and is still lead singer and guitarist for.

"People just aren't buying whole albums anymore," he said. "Remember when 45s were popular and people didn't buy albums? It's like that again."

Peiffer is taking advantage of the fact that a digital download is far less expensive to produce than a record, cassette or CD.

"You just put it out digitally and hope you can sell some singles," he said. "When somebody can buy a song for $1 a song on the Internet, that's better than stealing it. I'm actually happy about it."

So Peiffer is excited about the release of Lynn Allen's ninth album - titled "9" - which will be previewed at Quad-City morning radio hosts Dwyer & Michaels' Halloween bash this weekend. Then it will be welcomed officially with a release party next weekend at the Uptown in Bettendorf.

The new album was recorded in Peiffer's own basement studio, but he broke off a longtime distribution deal with a label from London and is marketing it himself.

With his longtime bandmates Johnny Williamson on bass and background vocals and Mark DeKalb on drums, Peiffer said "9" doesn't break any ground for the band, but its harmonies and vocals are better than they were 10 years ago.

Several guest performers are on the album, including Tim Compton, a guitar player with the original Lynn Allen, who contributed six solos to the album from his home in Minneapolis and e-mailed them to Peiffer, who mixed them in with the rest. Players Scott Whitehall, Terry Murphy and Brian Minor also have guest spots.

Lynn Allen gained regional and national attention in the mid-1980s with the success of songs such as "Last Night," "Leave Me Alone" and "Domino."

Peiffer said he and the rest of the band know they won't get national attention again, but albums such as the new one are a way to thank those who have been with them all this time.

"You just do it for your fans," he said.