The Traditional Fools
The Traditional Fools
In The Red Records [2013]
Fire Note Says: Early Ty Segall band is reissued by In The Red, and you are going to want this for your collection!
Album Review: If I give you three key pieces of information, you will most likely be able to figure out exactly whether or not the self-titled album from The Traditional Fools is for you or not.
1. Ty Segall was a member of the surf rock/garage trio.
2. In The Red is reissuing the rare 2008 lp.
3. It contains 12 songs in just over 22 minutes.
All of these three things appeal to me immensely so I was all over this reissue, and it doesn’t disappoint. It sounds exactly like you think it’s going to, raw, reverb-y, buried in sonic sludge, catchy as heck, shredding vocals and guitar. While the songs aren’t exactly what one would call classics (in fact they are fairly run of the mill for this genre), the raw passion more than makes up for any shortcomings in songwriting. “Davey Crockett” reminded me of a lower fi version of the Nuggets era classic “Farmer John” (also famously redone by Neil Young on Ragged Glory), it’s the first song on the album, and you immediately know you are in for a fun ride. “Snot Rag” is another glorious surf stomper that sounds like Dick Dale on acid, and is over before you know it. “Kill Someone You Hate” is an excellent cover of a Redd Kross song off their debut record Born Innocent from 1981.
This record flies by incredibly quickly and begs to be played multiple times in a row, and at a scant 22 minutes, this is easily accomplished! Segall has gone on to bigger and better things, but his immense talent was evident even on this record. Though it feels a bit embryonic, it’s definitely one any Segall fan is going to need for their collection. In The Red is also reissuing his 2009 collaboration with Mikal Cronin, Reverse Shark Attack, another must have for your collection!
Key Tracks: “Davey Crockett”, “Snot Rag”, “Kill Someone You Hate”
Artists With Similar Fire: Sic Alps / Jay Reatard / Thee Headcoats
Ty Segall: Twins [Fire Note Review 10/12/12]
Ty Segall Website
In The Red Records
-Reviewed by Kevin Poindexter
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, I am extremely proud of the area I grew up in and the influence it has had on the world at large, from the Wright Brothers to Robert Pollard, the area has been a center of innovation both technologically and artistically. During my college years at the University of Dayton, I found myself becoming more and more immersed in the local music scene, a period of time in the early to mid 90's that coincided with the rise of bands like Guided by Voices, Brainiac, and The Breeders, who added to the rich musical legacy of the area. Dayton is also the hometown of many giants of funk in the 70's and is also the birthplace of Jazz greats Billy Strayhorn, John Scofield and Bud Shank. I wrote extensively for The Fire Note, a great online magazine focused on indie rock, in the 2010's while simultaneously being a partner in Rockathon Records, before retiring from both in 2018. In 2024, my thoughts turned back to helping at Rockathon and more importantly to pick back up on my writing, and more specifically to write about my love of jazz. I'm always listening, always searching for something new, something great. It's been a lifelong journey, and I still feel like there is so much out there to hear.
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
