Ty Segall : Three Bells

Ty Segall has covered a lot of musical ground over the last 15 years since he emerged from the California garage rock scene. The guy doesn’t seem to ever take a break; whether it’s solo albums, collaborations, or even soundtracks Segall doesn’t rest. You’d think he’d start repeating himself at some point but that’s not the case. Each record has it’s own vibe. Garage rock, psych, 60s pop, prog, wonky electronic music, and acoustic folk all have graced Ty Segall records, and done in Segall’s own unique way.

Three Bells is Segall’s latest, and one his most concise rock albums yet. A double LP at over an hour, this is his most in-depth release since 2014s Manipulator. It feels pared down, yet more instrumentation would have felt like too much. The buzzing crunch of albums like Twins, or the horn-heavy Freedom’s Goblin is all but gone. The acoustics of 2022s Hello, Hi remain, but are accompanied by intricate drums, buzzing guitar leads, and the feeling that Ziggy-era David Bowie is looking over the proceedings and smiling.

Album opener “The Bell” starts on slow acoustic strums before locking into an almost prog vibe as the rhythm kicks in. Segall layers his vocals masterfully to add an almost regal touch. This is Ty Segall in fine form. “Void” is dizzying with its busy drums and off-kilter guitar lines. Lots of rhythm changes and an almost eerie vibe permeates this track. “My Best Friend” has an almost locomotive rhythm – chugging and muscular – bringing to mind early Grand Funk Railroad and Sweet. These are guitar riffs that stick to your ribs.

Elsewhere “Eggman” brings the heat with some serious guitar fuzz and a killer groove, while Segall brings the weird with his vocals as they seem to slow down as if he’s losing battery life. “To You” sounds like outsider folk, while “Denée” is a tribute to Segall’s most consistent collaborator, wife Denée Segall. The electric piano puts this very slick track in Marc Moulin’s Placebo territory.

Ty Segall seemingly can do and create whatever music pops into his head. He pulls inspiration from both obvious and not-so obvious sources, and this record is heavy with 70s references. Three Bells is a consistently brilliant outing for garage rock wunderkind Ty Segall. In fact, it might be his best in a decade.