Ty Segall "Freedom’s Goblin (Drag City)"
There are very few comforts left in today’s modern world. Soup is still pretty good. Chocolate and peanut butter will never turn their collective food-based backs to us. Reruns of The Odd Couple still warms the soul. That’s about it, right? Wrong! New Ty Segall music always fits the comfort bill! If there’s one thing Ty knows it’s writing some killer psych garage-tinged, glam-flavored rock ’n’ roll tunes, then recording said tunes in a manner that is pleasing to the ears and the rockin’ soul of a rock ’n’ roll lover. Ok, so maybe he knows more than one thing (seeing as how I just listed numerous things). Gimme a break! I’m trying to be blurb eloquent while rockin’ my socks of listening to Freedom’s Goblin (Drag City), the newest album from Ty Segall. Filled with raucous tunes that fall somewhere between T-Rex and Abby Road-era Beatles, all through Ty’s patented Tune-Askewer (individual results may vary, ask your doctor if Tune-Askewer is right for you.) Check out the fuzzed out Prince-esque delight that is “Every 1’s A Winner.”
Dommengang "Love Jail (Thrill Jockey)"
Holy guacamole, rock and roll is back and Dommengang is rolling their best rocks and rocking their best rolls on Love Jail (Thrill Jockey), their second LP. This is the first time the band found themselves all living in the same city (that city being the city of angels). LA has certainly found its way into their sound. Imagine a world where the good time ‘70s The Rolling Stones, Rush at their most restrained, late-70s Zappa guitar tone, and… hmmm… throw in some Foghat for the sheer bluesiness of it all, and you are starting to get to the heart of this rollicking road trip of a record. Distortion! Guitar solos! Drum fills! Energy! If this is what love jail sounds like, then arrest me! Check out “Color Out Of Space” from the Tim Green-produced album.
H.C. McEntire "LIONHEART (Merge)"
H.C. McEntire, the front woman of the beloved Mount Moriah, has stepped out from behind the mountain with her solo debut. LIONHEART is a warm, triumphant collection of country-tinged tunes featuring H.C. along with some of her favorite musicians. Not to claim and ESP skills, but seeing as how we are both in “the biz” I imagine they might be some of your favorites too. Kathleen Hanna, Angel Olsen, Gift Merritt ,William Tyler, Mary Lattimore, and Phil Cook (now THAT is how you add guest artists to an album!) McEntire’s “weary, wise, and bright as morning sunshine” vocals (Stereogum) are on peak display here, sounding a little like prime-era Dolly Parton. Check out the first song on the album, “A Lamb, A Dove” which features Phil Cook on guitars, Mary Lattimore on harp, and Tift Merritt on on backing vocals.
Mt. Wilson Repeater "V’Ger (Merge)"
Seeing as how Jim Putnam’s band Radar Brothers have been on hiatus since 2013, it makes sense that he would resurrect his experimental side project Mt. Wilson Repeater. Here, now, is where it gets tricky. The album, out now on Merge Records, is called V’Ger. I am a HUGE Star Trek fan. V’Ger is a Star Trek Reference. Therefore, it’s hard for me to do anything here other than make Trek references. But this is work! So for more on what I think about the infinitely strange Star Trek: The Motion Picture, let’s hang out sometime. For more on Jim’s new album, stay right here in this blurb. V’Ger (the LP) is full of lush, baritone guitar shoegaze-y psychedelia and dreamscapes. Think Kris Kristofferson meets Yo La Tengo meets Air meets lots of other great things, all at once, and funneled through Jim’s unique world view. Check out the sinister swirls of “Get By.”