Ty Segall Band: Slaughterhouse: In the Red, 2012

Ty Segall lets out his best Iggy Pop impression while screaming at the end of "Slaughterhouse." For 8 seconds, a blood curdling yelp. It must have been his last vocal take because I doubt he had a voice left. Really, we don't know how he does it. How does he do it? Ty Segall has many tricks and Slaughterhouse is another curve ball to add to the long list. It's Segall being the prolific player that we've come to respect. Dearly. Can't wait for his electronic album, but his sonics are already psychedelic enough. 

With guitar, bass, and drums. Lots of guitars, and he now has his live band in the studio. Slaughterhouse is his second of three releases in 2012 (Twins coming in the fall). He's pumping albums out like babies. Babies! He can do a baby voice. Then he does a cover of "Wah Diddy Wah" by Bo Diddley/ Captain Beefheart put in a loud blender until just saying fuck the mess at the end. He doesn't know what he's doing? What is he doing? Messing with our heads. Putting us in happy, active moods. Like, get out your chair and kick your neighbor moods. What? It's too loud? Sorry, can't turn it down. Go home. Close the blinds.


There is plenty of fuzz, dirt, and yelling over this record, but it's undeniably catchy. Segall is a sucker for hooks, and why not? The most beautiful moment on Slaughterhouse comes at the intro of "I Bought My Eyes." Sounds like Segall is standing in the sun, about to set, but still beaming, as he strums away a sweet melody. Sunglasses on, thousands watching. Soon they'll cheer, as the song becomes a free-wheeling jam. "Tell me what's inside your heart?" Segall asks on the next track. Probably a guitar. He's actually singing very well. Don't let all the yelling underestimate what lies deeper. Segall's got an innersole of  ideas.   

Segall and friends just let the feedback go on an exhausting 10-minute passing closer that doesn't prove a thing. Actually, it's rather selfish. Could he mess with our heads? How does he?

So, "Fuzz War" is just...pretty cool if you like songs that aren't songs. It is a way to catch your breath and relax after the onslaught Ty Segall Band just laid down for 30 minutes. Slaughterhouse –– that's a good brand for music that just buries everything else and forces you to listen. We don't know what Segall is doing, but it's more fun that way. Segall is blowing shit up. Beautiful mutilation.