Tag: indie rock

ty segall - three bells
Vinyl

Ty Segall: Three Bells (2024)

Going to take a brief break from the grouping of albums by the same artist/band/label to focus on another theme: some of my favorite new records. It can’t all be about music from 40 and 50 years ago, not when some of my favorite current artists have released some of their strongest work to date. And there’s no better way to kick that off than with Ty Segall, who after some interesting experiments with limitations on previous records (no guitar, acoustic, film soundtracks) has returned to his progressive garage roots with the fantastic double album Three Bells. It’s Segall operating in my favorite sonic space, and sounds like a culmination of a lot of the experimentation he’s engaged in the past few years.

Continue reading “Ty Segall: Three Bells (2024)”
ChrisLeave a comment
album art for osees - intercepted message
Vinyl

Osees: Intercepted Message (2023)

It’s weird to be starting here, with the latest burst of garage psych sweetness from John Dwyer and co., but sometimes that’s how it goes. I fell into the Osees hole (or Thee Oh Sees, or Oh Sees, or OCS, or whatever new permutation Dwyer comes up with) in 2016 with the dual release of A Weird Exits and An Odd Entrances. It was also at the same time as my discovery of Ty Segall, and like that multi-hyphenate band leader, Dwyer and his rotating cast of musicians have put out a TON of music: at least seven proper LPs, not to mention reinterpretations, 20 minute long singles, and a bevy of side project (Bent Arcana being my favorite). But I just got my sweet vinyl for Intercepted Message, the outfit’s synth-heavy pop rock hybrid and latest release, so what better time than now to start talking about one of my favorite current bands?

Continue reading “Osees: Intercepted Message (2023)”
ChrisLeave a comment
ty segall - ty segall
Vinyl

Ty Segall: Ty Segall (2017)

This wasn’t the plan. The plan was to review one of the myriad of new albums coming through the door on an almost daily cadence. But here I am, late Monday night, sipping some scotch and digging through my Fanatic books by Henry Rollins building out playlists (said playlists are public and can be found here on Spotify and Apple Music for those inclined to check out some seriously great music) and the need – nay, the urge to listen to Ty Segall came over me. So here we are, with his 2017 eponymous album playing through the speakers, every gnarled guitar lead and garage soaked riff firing up my brain’s pleasure center like an fireworks display at Disney World. I’m shocked there isn’t already a Ty Segall entry on the site, but what better way to introduce the man than Ty Segall, right?

Continue reading “Ty Segall: Ty Segall (2017)”
Chris1 Comment
empire - expensive sound
Vinyl

Empire: Expensive Sound (1981)

Taking a break from the classic rock discoveries thanks to Sea of Tranquility and moving to another massive source of music discovery: Henry Rollins – specifically his role as DJ at KCRW (which you can stream to your heart’s content here) and the collection of books detailing his playlists and the inspiration behind. It was his radio show that got me into the first two Generation X albums, and without his championing I never would have come across Empire, the band formed when guitarist Bob Andrews and drummer Mark Laff over a desire to move in a different musical direction than the more commercial punk/pop Billy Idol craved. The result may have only been one album, but 1981’s Expensive Sound is a great hidden gem in the post-punk/rock and pop world.

Continue reading “Empire: Expensive Sound (1981)”
ChrisLeave a comment
bedhead - 1994-1998
CD

Bedhead: 1992-1998 (2014)

WhatFunLifeWas.  Beheaded.  Transaction de Novo.  I had no idea these albums existed two years ago.  I was unaware of Bedhead, the band that created this music, or the slow core scene in general.  And yet I’ve always known this music.  In a real sense, the music of Bedhead is the music that has always played in the quiet hours inside my head ruminating and reflecting on questions I’ve had my entire life.  Bedhead 1992-1998 is a boxset of the band’s collected output, and to say that for me it’s become one fo the essential musical components of my life is not an exaggeration. Continue reading “Bedhead: 1992-1998 (2014)”

ChrisLeave a comment
beck - modern guilt
CD

Beck: Modern Guilt (2008)

To start, this was not the Beck album I thought I was going to write about.  I went into the morning happy to revisit an old friend, a sunny, chill psychedelic folk album that reminded me of gots lazy days and warm introspection.  Well, that album was Morning Phase, an album I apprarently don’t own despite really enjoying.  Instead, I have Modern Guilt, Mr. Beck Hansen’s brief but listless 2008 effort that starts promising but ultimately leaves almost no impression once it’s over. Continue reading “Beck: Modern Guilt (2008)”

ChrisLeave a comment