The Bay Area rap scene has exploded with rappers like G-Eazy and Sage the Gemini, but the indie rock scene may soon follow with the release of guitar-guru Ty Segall’s new album, Live in San Francisco.
This garage rock, quasi-psychedelic musician first came about from Northern California’s underground scene in 2008 with the release of his cassette Horn the Unicorn, followed by his debut self-titled album a few months later. Over the past seven years, he has released over 15 LPs and full-lengths and spent the rest of the time touring the country with various projects.
In 2013 NPR’s Robin Hilton compared him to Jack White, which would be a great comparison if Jack White had more of a NorCal surf vibe. Instead, the 27-year-old front man draws inspiration from music legends such as Bo Diddley and David Bowie, going so far as to perform covers of their hits.
While the Segall Band has received critical acclaim and a cult following from tracks such as the heavier “Wave Goodbye” and the British Invasion inspired “Girlfriend,” they really hit it big with their national performance on the Conan O’Brien Show this past August. Adorned with face paint and in full command of his Les Paul, Segall shredded the Conan stage with his performance of the hit “Feel” off of his Manipulator album, awing fans with a guitar solo that would impress the likes of Jimmy Page.
Live in San Francisco captures the live show excitement seen on Conan, but spreads it evenly across ten tracks, all of which were recorded at San Fran’s Rickshaw Stop. “Wave Goodbye” opens the album, slamming listeners like a wave, with a slow buildup and heavy hook. Things turn contemporary punk on the Hollies-esque “I Bought My Eyes,” but it isn’t until midway through that we reach the most memorable track on the record, “Thank God for Sinners.”
After jamming out for almost 40 minutes, he closes the performance with the riff and fuzz-filled coup d’état, “What’s Inside Your Heart,” which could be best described as what would happen if the Clash jammed with early ’90s, post-Ten Pearl Jam. While Segall sticks to playing his more recent releases, the album highlights everything that makes the band great — the guitar playing, the rhythms, the classic sounds, and the range of music that they can play. And although there isn’t any one track that will rise to the top of anyone’s playlist, Live in San Francisco is a collection of songs that will satisfy any rock fan’s hunger for great rhythms, masterful riffs, and the organic excitement a live show — without having to pay for the expensive ticket.
Review by Eric Lyons. Follow him on Twitter @EglyonsEric.
