Ty Segall – Manipulator

The Next Electric Warrior?

Californian musical jack-of-all-trades Ty Segall is a force to be reckoned within the indie rock scene, and he has proven that once again with his most recent record Manipulator. Marking his seventh solo release since his self-titled solo debut in 2008, alongside a colossal number of collaborations, splits and records with his other bands, including Fuzz, Sic Alps and Epsilons, Segall has clearly been busy honing his craft, and this album is the result of all of that hard work. Taking hints from influences like Hawkwind, David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and some heavier bands like The Stooges and Black Sabbath, Manipulator is an exciting look into what can be done with garage rock when you add a little psychedelic glam into the mix.

Full of energy, fuzzy vocals, and wailing guitars, Manipulator is a tour-de-force and has snuck in as a heavyweight contender for 2014’s album of the year. The title track, “Manipulator” is bound to catch your ear, and by the second track, “Tall Man Skinny Lady” —  a definite standout on the record–, his undeniable talent and passion for his music will have you hooked for the rest of the album. Songs like “Feel” demonstrate Ty Segall’s heavier rock side, with a driving bass line that doesn’t quit until the end, and “The Clock” combines a catchy acoustic guitar riff and some string arrangements to to give you an idea of the breadth of his styles. Without his style seeming scattered, Ty Segall has managed to provide something for everybody and you won’t be able to get enough.

If you’ve ever wondered what T-Rex would sound like in the year 2014, Ty Segall is here to show you. And anyone who was concerned that rock music has stagnated just needs to give only a few songs from Manipulator a listen to see that we have nothing to worry about, as long as this is what we have to look forward to. A guaranteed crowdpleaser for any type of music fan, Ty Segall is likely to have the music industry wrapped around his finger after this release, and we’d better all prepare ourselves for what’s still to come.