For the most part you know what to expect from a Ty Segall album. It used to be that one would arrive every year, if not even sooner than that. You could count on Tinnitus-inducing fuzz volumes, drum freakouts, and Ty doing his best to sound like someone singing while melting in lava at the same time. There have been a few outliers, like the acoustic-heavy Sleeper and it’s follow-up the T-Rex-inspired Manipulator. And Harmonizer was filled with as much analog synth as it was guitar.
But for the most part Segall is consistent in his love for fuzz pedals and 60s acid-tinged psychedelia.
The latest from Ty Segall and his go-to band which consists of Mikal Cronin, Emmett Kelley, Ben Boye, and drummer Evan Burrows, is Chrome. There is no acoustic tracks or weird electronic splurges. Instead, this is a hands-down fuzz monster of the highest order. Not as acidic as his Wasted Shirt project, Chrome is all heavy 70s guitar fuzz and rock grooves to last for days. It hits just a little over 30 minutes does not let up till the last note rings in your ears.
“Hospital” opens with an oscillating synth that goes into a distortion-drenched riff and groove-heavy rhythm. It’s a solid opening for a solid record. “Running to Nowhere” touches on pure metal meltdown, bringing to mind classic Segall like Twins. This might be the heaviest Ty and friends have gotten in a decade. “Glass” brings to mind fellow psych travelers Oh Sees with some complimentary fuzz madness for good measure.
Chrome isn’t meant to surprise, but give us what we crave with Ty Segall, which is big, fuzzy riffs, bombastic drums, and Segall’s British-like howl by way of Southern California. And on those principles Chrome is a solid Segall record. No weird avante shifts like Harmonizer, or folksy acoustic passages like Hello, Hi. This is full-on guitar God swagger and acid-fried psych. Closer and title track “Chrome” even goes into full-on Deep Purple territory. All it needs is Ian Gillan dropping some 70s arena rock howls.
If your ears are hungry for some primo riff-tastic Ty Segall, Chrome has got you covered.
Discover more from Complex Distractions
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
