Ty Segall - Melted (2010) Review

Melted was released by Ty Segall in 2010, and it is an exciting take on 1960s garage rock. This has proven to be a classic album that helped usher in the grimy garage-rock revival in the 2010s.

The first song on the album is “Finger,” it introduces the album with such a large fuzz tone that has become a staple of Ty Segall’s sound. The drums sound so crisp and loud it’s like someone is hitting trash cans, and I mean that in the best possible way. The chaotic finish is great. It is an excellent track as an introduction to the feel and sound of the album.

The next song, “Ceasar,” is catchy and melodic and sounds like a pop song through a garage rock, lo-fi filter. The combination of the acoustic guitar, the extremely gritty vocals, and the airy piano works so well together. The bass is so warm and fuzzy, it’s great. The piano solo in the middle of the song rips. You can tell what King Gizzard was influenced by with the flutes (played by John Dwyer on this track), fuzz, and general chaotic energy.

“Girlfriend” has an intense wall of sound intro that brings in the drums. This is another catchy pop song disguised as a garage rock song, and this one even has claps. It has such an authentic, raw, and dirty sound that it’s charming. Contrast that to the faux-lo-fi sound of the latest Voidz album; it’s such a difference.

The drumming is always solid on any of Ty Segall’s projects. “Sad Fuzz” has a great sound and fantastic fills. The chorus is cool, and his vocals are gritty and distorted and blend well in the song. The delay on the vocals in “Melted” is a bit much, but you can hear all the modulation and echo in the vocals. This would be used in the indie rock scene widely throughout the 2010s. The drums still have such a powerful and crunchy sound to them, and it’s addicting.

One of the most psychedelic songs on the album is “Mike D’s Coke.” It reminds me a ton of Ariel Pink because it’s zany and has tons of ‘60s influence to it. Even though it’s basically a short interlude, it’s still really good.

“Imaginary Person” takes on a similar feeling to some of the early songs, but the drum beat gives it much more of a beachy feel to it. Ty Segall does 1950s surf rock. This is awesome mosh pit music. Watching this album live in its entirety was an experience.

“My Sunshine” is the song that got me into Ty Segall, and it kicks ass. This is so energetic and catchy that it makes me want to start sprinting or something. The guitar solo that cuts through the mix near the end is so satisfying. The fuzz is amazing it’s like Os Mutantes level.

“Bees” brings the energy down from what it was at “My Sunshine.” This sounds like a warped and distorted version of 1960s psych-pop. This is a solid song, and it makes me want to do drugs. The bass tone is so vintage-sounding and warm and loud.

“Mrs.” is in the same realm as everything else in this album, though it comes off a little less experimental or poppy, so it doesn’t stand out as much for me as some of the others on here. Not bad at all, but it does feel like something is missing to really hook you.

The final song on the album is “Alone,” and it starts off bluesy but with the same sludgy and dirty filter this album has given us. I love the springy-sounding fuzz guitar, and it’s solo. The way the song speeds up towards the end is a great way to finish the album, as it gives you a last taste of its high energy. Awesome closing track.

I’ll throw this on every so often because it’s such a classic. It is a record that has held up after nearly 15 years.

Speedrun the album: “Ceasar,” “Girlfriend,” “Imaginary Person,” “My Sunshine,” “Alone”

- -Just listen to the whole thing, though. It’s only 30 minutes long. - -