I usually reserve this blog for older albums but this week I decided to ignore that because this album is just great and deserves more attention. Ty Segall is a garage rock favorite and is known for releasing copious amount of material every year. This album is Segall’s only under the name Ty Segall Band and he considers it a group effort. This album takes the elements of garage rock, punk and a little Black Sabbath, making one of the most rockin albums I’ve heard in recent years. It’s rare to hear a band that isn’t afraid to delve into sludgey territory, while keeping up catchy and poppy melodies.
The album opens with an explosion of guitar feedback, which is very appropriate for what will follow. The first song is entitled “Death” and for such a dark name it is actually really catchy. The song builds on a bass line. Segall comes in with vocals and after one verse unloads on his guitar. The production is murky and disgusting but gives the song its balls. All songs have a similar feel so if muddled production is a problem this album is not for. The lyrics are pretty much impossible to hear, but thats not the point of the song. Its the raw feeling of intensity and power put into the music. THis song seems like it was made for a high speed car chase and every time I hear this song it makes me wanna beat the shit out of something. There is something really satisfying to me when I hear someone just banging out power chords.
“I Bought My Eyes” is definitely the standout single from the album if I had to pick one. Segall 
made a great and catchy melody and the harmonies are on point. The song really kicks in after the verse and picks up after. Segall takes elements of 60’s pop and infuses it with his sludgy sound. One of my favorite parts of the song happens around the 2 minute mark when Segall and the other guitarist in his band harmonize the melody of the song on their guitars. It is very simple, yet highly effective. The title track “Slaughterhouse” is a hardcore punk infused song with Segall whaling over it with some great screaming. I’m not a fan of over excessive screaming but when it’s done right it sounds great. “The Tongue” is one of my favorite songs off the record and this is because the melody is so catchy to me. It is simple in chord structure, like most of the songs, but it taps into this vein of not be afraid to play whatever you want. I’m sure their was a riff very similar to this one but Segall makes it his own.
“Tell Me Whats Inside Your Heart” is another song that again features some great guitar harmonies. The song is pure riffage and with the vocal harmonies over it makes for me a perfect song. Hearing songs like this gives me hope for the survival of just good rock/punk/surf music. The best part of the song is the breakdown that happens around 2 minutes. The band backs out with just the guitar and vocal remaining, giving the song some space only for it to kick back in at full force. In all honesty Segall’s guitar solos are nothing special but they are a necessity for this type of music.
“Wave Goodbye” is without a doubt my favorite song on the album. The riff is something I wish I came up with because it is the perfect balance between heavy and catchy. The intro is amazing, with just bass playing the main riff until a wall of guitars and drums come in. Segall does this great little hammer on thing in the middle of the riff and it reminds me of something straight out of a Black Sabbath or Jimi Hendrix song. Segall just captures this element of rock that I really love and I recommend it to anyone who is into rock or punk at all.
Chris' Albums Revisited 