Review: Ty Segall, Melted

Ty Segall
Melted
7/10

Melted, the third album from Norcal-based rocker Ty Segall, is a solid effort at summery fuzzy punk, well-done in some instances ("My Sunshine") and somewhat off-beat in others (the muggy "Mike D's Coke.") Even the album's title offers a glimpse at how it feels, listening -- it's hot, humid and hazy music for days of the same kind.
Segall blends classic-rock and alt-country chord progressions with enough overdrive to make Wavves envious, giving the whole album a sort of lethargic, edgy Weezer-esque vibe, where the pop tendencies are weighed down by heavy beats and Segall's minor-tone punky whine.

"Bees" recalls 60's fuzz-rock with a sunny, simple chorus "Fall in love, fall in love, be happy, be happy." "Caesar" is perhaps his best-known song, offering a wild whooping bridge and some bluesy high-pitched keys that keep the song moving at a nice clip.

There's no doubt this album offers much of the same track-to-track, and you'd grow weary of it, as I did, after a short time. But when you wake up on a July morning and want to blast something loud and summer-ready and you're sick of Crocodiles or Japandroids but you know its the same sound that you want, Ty is your guy.

-- Caroline Klibanoff

Interview with the Moondoggies

Last Wednesday in Atlanta Caroline Klibanoff sat down with The Moondoggies before they headed to Bonnaroo and DC tonight. The interview is a bit noisy, but the friendly Seattle four-piece opened up about heir break from the local Seattle scene, the music they grew up on, improving their stage banter and of course the inevitable animal-fighting WGTB question of 2010.

They play tonight at the 9:30 Club, opening for Blitzen Trapper, and it's a show you don't want to miss. Check out the interview and stay tuned for Jared Iversen's review of their newest album, later this week.
Moondoggies interview by WGTB Blog


-- Caroline Klibanoff

Review: Kate Nash, My Best Friend is You

[Ed. note: Two A+ records in one week? It's true. These are two of my favorite releases yet this year. 2010 has been great for music!]

Kate Nash

My Best Friend is You

A+

I believe Kate Nash has had her heart broken, or very nearly so. At the very least she has come to the sentient realization that her love rests in the hands of someone else, a very dangerous emotional position—she’s been showing all her cards. Luckily for us, some of the best art has been created about this very situation, and Nash’s latest release is no exception. Instead of desperately trying to regain face, to play it cool in order to come out on top, she has opted, in typical Nash fashion, for total disclosure: even the title of My Best Friend is You admits some conscious vulnerability, as if she’s fully aware she’s putting all her eggs in this one basket.

This is a stellar work. Vulnerability suits Nash better than the snarky, whether she’s wailing “Later on I’ll cry my stupid eyes out!” on “Later On” or quietly, endearingly revealing the simple requirements of love on “I Hate Seagulls.” There’s quite a bit of variety here; she uses Regina Spektor-esque keys and verbal riffs on “Pickpocket,” while she screams like Karen O on “I Just Love You More.”
There are infinite Yeah Yeah Yeahs influences on My Best Friend is You, as well as 80’s synth, almost Bowie-style, most notably on “Later On.” She has mastered the art of constructing a song in its entirety, leaving no stone unturned, nor any part of the song too empty. The music, even without the powerful lyrics, is simply great: the orchestrated, upbeat opener “Paris” thrills with cymbal crashes and violin shrieks, while equally upbeat and delightful is “Early Christmas Present,” which merges a story of cheating and secrets with handclaps, plunky keys and ringing windchimes.

Review: Phosphorescent, Here's To Taking It Easy

 Phosphorescent

Here's To Taking it Easy

B

Matthew Houck is good at parentheses. I mean this both literally and figuratively; his enticing song titles frequently feature them, as in “It’s Hard to be Humble (When You’re From Alabama)” and “Tell Me Baby (Have You Had Enough)” on this album as well as the expansive and charming “I Am A Full-Grown Man (I Will Lay in the Grass All Day)” on 2005’s Aw Come Aw Wry. But it’s a useful metaphor for explaining his music; on the surface, most basically, you get gentle, rustic folk songs grounded with pedal steel and heavy instrumentation, but his best lines and subtle emotion peeks out just barely, almost as an afterthought. Similarly, he’s become an unofficial Spokesman For The Well-Done Cover, slipping them unannounced into his various albums and making a splash with 2009’s To Willie, a resplendent and perfectly-arranged collection of Willie Nelson covers styled after Nelson’s own tribute to Lefty Frizell, To Lefty From Willie.

To Willie was a gorgeous album on its own; it seems like almost a coincidence that the songs happen to be covers. In some ways, the critical success of To Willie makes a review of his follow-up album, Here’s to Taking it Easy, difficult; it’s an odd position to be an extremely talented and intuitive band that makes better covers than originals. Unfortunately, that seems to be the parentheses faintly circling this newest release. (cont'd after the jump)

In The Studio with Jamie McLean Band

The Jamie McLean Band stopped by WGTB studios Friday afternoon to play some tunes and chat with DJ Caroline Klibanoff about their new album Completely, their show tonight at the Strathmore in Bethesda (check it out!), the benefits of touring (barbecue, ladies, Five Guys) and their beef with ridiculously-named bands (Alabama Thunderpussy, here's looking at you). Listen to the full interview below, and grab a copy of their record at their website.

In-Studio with Jamie McLean Band at WGTB by wgtbmusic

In-Studio Today: Jamie McLean Band

Tune in at 3:15 pm EST this afternoon (click: Listen Live at www.georgetownradio.com) to catch a LIVE in-studio performance and interview with Jamie McLean, hosted by WGTB DJ Caroline Klibanoff.

Jamie McLean is the former guitarist for New Orleans' famous Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and has just released his solo album full of tunes this week, titled Completely. You can download his album here.

The Jamie McLean band is performing at the Strathmore in Bethesda Friday night at 8 p.m. Check it out!

In-Studios This Week

We've got three KILLER in-studio performances and interviews this week, so make sure to tune in!

Wednesday April 7

The Spring Standards

2 pm

As our artist of the week, the Spring Standards have impressed us with their album and now grace us with their presence via the WGTB radiowaves. DJ Elena Solli hosts.

Saturday April 10

Toolshed Massacre

2 pm

On the heels of their newly released EP, the Pennsylvania rockers sit in for a Saturday afternoon session before their show at The Electric Maid in DC. DJ Caroline Klibanoff hosts.

Sunday April 11

CRAIG from CRAIGSLIST

10 pm

The actual, revolutionary Craig of Craigslist fame stops by SAXAppeal to chat with DJ Mike Hayes.
RSVP to the Facebook event here.