It's only taken five years but there's a new Fuzz album. Now, it's not like Ty Segall hasn't been busy. The guy's a machine of rocking, but for those of us who liked his more outrageous freak-outs, the wait from II to III, the new Fuzz record, has been a long one. Out on Friday on In The Red Records, this one is chaotic, cathartic, and fun.
"Returning" squeals and roars, while "Nothing People" pounds and builds from a primitive start. Elsewhere, "Time Collapse" surges after Segall stretches the grooves out to a breaking point. If the feedback around this is used like an instrument unto itself, Segall's impassioned vocals make this, along with the tight and focused "Mirror", a real highlight here on III. "Close Your Eyes" is, of course, centered around Segall's drumming and vocal performance, but the bass from Chad Ubovich and guitars from Charles Moothart drive this into the heart of the sun.
Each cut here sounds like the work of mad-men but III is surprisingly coherent for this kind of thing. Segall, like on his earlier solo releases, understands exactly how to give in to his wildest impulses while retaining some control over the chaos. He's interested in discovering the biggest riffs and wildest hooks, but not at the expense of the song descending into silliness. Even the epic closer "End Returning" retains a focus that's as much prog in its sensibility as it is acid rock in its style. Segall, an astute revivalist of past forms, uses Fuzz to indulge his interests and reveal his prowess as a band member.
III is out on Friday via In The Red Records.
More details on Fuzz via the band's official Facebook page.
[Photo: Denee Segall]