After releasing several recordings last year, it would be understandable if psych rocker Ty Segall took a break in 2013. But that's not his style, at least as of late. With Sleeper Segall ventures into a bit of new territory as it's mainly just him, his guitar and some subtle effects. He's no Elliott Smith -- not yet, anyhow -- but the album shows that he can do the singer-songwriter thing as well as the rocking-out thing.
Somewhat subdued and mostly acoustic, a lot of these tunes seem like long-lost gems from the late 1960s and early '70s. Songs like "6th Street" feature some great slide guitar. During "The Man Man," Segall lets loose on guitar near the end, but otherwise his voice is front and center, demonstrating how versatile his pipes are. Album closer "The West" is another highlight.
Considering Segall's previous work, "Sleeper" is an apt title for this record, but overall, these songs show that he's awakened another part of his creative self.
