Ty Segall returns with another furious addition to his expansive catalogue, but this time it’s not all about him.
Instead of playing the entire record himself, Segall is enlists the aid of the “Freedom Band”, a motley crew of collaborators who bring a welcomed burst of energy to already hair-raising tunes.
Also contributing to Segall’s self-titled record is the distinctive production of rock legend Steve Albini. The amps bounce off the walls, drums permeate all tracks in the mix, and everything bleeds together into a delightfully thunderous roar. Tracks like “Break a Guitar” and the mid-album stompers “The Only One” and “Thank You Mr. K”, are good examples of this phenomenon.
That’s not to say the album sounds totally relentless. “Talkin” lifts lyrics from last year’s album, “Emotional Mugger,” and recasts them with a bit of country twang, reminiscent of Neil Young or The Grateful Dead. These influences appear again on “Papers”, a slightly silly, yet charming Grateful Dead send-up.
Album highlight “Warm Hands (Freedom Returned)” combines all these seemingly disparate elements into a sprawling, rock suite that bounces between off-kilter ‘60s psych progressions, sludge metal riffs, and a strangely minimalist jam. At over 10 minutes, it’s the longest song Segall has ever done and one of his most ambitious compositions.
While I wouldn’t say anything on this album breaks new ground for Segall, is certainly a great summation of everything he’s worked toward for the better part of his career: compellingly written and highly driven psychedelia, unafraid to draw any influence and subsequently shatter it to pieces.
– Sickman