Not content with releasing just the five albums in the space of 2018 right at the end, Ty Segall unleashed album number six, which is a joint collaboration with his wife Denee Segall along with bandmates Emmett Kelly (bass) and R.E.Carlos (drums). As well as releasing his own solo stuff, Segall is famed for his various band incarnations, from Goggs (which features regular Segall collaborator Charles Moothart) to White Fence (another regular collaboration with Tim Presley) yet this is possibly his first full album collaboration with his wife, the artist and photographer Denee Segall. It moves away slightly from the psych stuff he’s been writing, and blasts out a fireball of in-yer-face punk rock angst -the scream by D. Segall at the end if the shoutfest that is opening track ‘Fear’ will knock you into the middle of next week! The songs on here are a fast and furious musical onslaught, but still with melodic guitar riffs in abundance. The motorik rhythms and warped guitar frenzy of ‘Reputation’ finds D. Segall repeating the mantra “you’re not fooling anybody” as T. Segall’s guitar chaos unleashes its fury until the end. ‘Power’ has a more sedate pace but is still powered along by T. Segall’s squalling guitar riffs and solos – its repetitive rhythms more in line with experimental pioneers Can or Neu than T. Segall’s more psych or prog influences, with a strikingly brilliant half-spoken, half-sung vocal from D.Segall, lending it a sparse and eerie quality. ‘Oblivion’ has D. Segall’s snarling vocals over fast paced rhythms, and a fuzzed up hardcore guitar riff as she sings “I’m not special and nor are you”. This album is a far cry from the usual T. Segall dose of hefty riffs and melodic vocal lines, and is more of an experiment in motorik rhythms combined with punk rock fire, and is another fine release from the guitar genius of Ty Segall, with the magnificent vocal performances of D. Segall, ensuring this is an album full of furious lyrical content too. An album destined to blast away the winter blues.
The C.I.A. (In The Red Records) – Out Now
From the early days of creating handmade zines, in a DIY paper and glue style, interviewing bands around town, then pestering Piccadilly Records to sell them, to writing for various independent mags such as Chimp and Ablaze, writing about the music I love is still a great passion. After testing the music industry waters in London with stints at various labels, being back in my hometown again, writing about this city’s vibrant music scene is as exciting as ever. All time favourite bands include Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Patti Smith although anything from electro to folk via blues and pysch rock will also do nicely too. A great album, is simply a great album, regardless of whatever musical cage you put it in.
