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Manipulator
by
Manipulator Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The 17-track release from the California garage rocker was produced by Chris Woodhouse.
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Top Track

Tall Man, Skinny Lady
Tall man and the skinny lady I need to row (?) Come over here, I think you can make (?) Try to cure my soul Ohhh Tall man and the skinny lady I... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Consequence
    Aug 27, 2014
    91
    It’s all at once contemporary enough to thrive in a market that demands constant innovation, yet nostalgic enough to shepherd the spirit of a bygone era on which the genre is founded.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Aug 26, 2014
    83
    It’s like the hangover lifted. He’s finally able to remove his sunglasses and nod to the light of true pop accessibility.
  3. The Guardian
    Aug 20, 2014
    80
    Best of all, the songs are almost uniformly fantastic, and extraordinarily well sequenced.
  4. AllMusic
    Aug 25, 2014
    80
    Manipulator is a reminder that Ty Segall knows his rock & roll, but he knows a lot more than just that, and this '70s-inspired madness results in one of Segall's best and most pleasurable efforts to date.
  5. Q Magazine
    Aug 29, 2014
    80
    One of the albums of the year to date. [Oct 2014, p.118]
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  6. Pitchfork
    Aug 26, 2014
    78
    The ample generosity of Manipulator highlights the cruel paradox of showbiz: When you give the people everything they want, you can’t leave them wanting more.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Aug 26, 2014
    60
    Does Segall's songwriting break new ground? Not really--but Manipulator is rarely boring even so, and always exceedingly likable.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Thekeith
    Sep 15, 2014
    10
    This album is an instant fav. As soon as I listened to the last song, I started it over. Then did it again. It's that good. This is handsThis album is an instant fav. As soon as I listened to the last song, I started it over. Then did it again. It's that good. This is hands down my fav album this year, beating out Jack White. Manipulator, is this generations version of "Yellow Brick Road" and they don't know it. You won't find this album being reviewed much on this site, due to it's "Rock" foundation, rather than overproduced, and under written , yet wildly popular music that seems to get all of the attention. Do yourself a favor, and realize most of what is popular has been paid to be popular, it didn't get there on it's own merits. Manipulator was well written, recorded very well, so it sounds great, and the best part is the music. I can tell this guy really loves music, and goes deep. There are lot's of musical flavors from the really great 70's rock bands mixed into this album, yet it's all brand new rock goodness. Plenty of fuzz and drums and moving guitar goodness. This is the best album I have listened to in 2014. ( I buy a lot of music by the way.)… Expand
  2. CiphirSol
    Nov 21, 2014
    9
    This is an excellent, huge album from Ty, there are a lot of catchy hooks, almost to the point where some songs seem like B-sides of theThis is an excellent, huge album from Ty, there are a lot of catchy hooks, almost to the point where some songs seem like B-sides of the others, that's alright with me though, Manipulator is a good time and an inviting listen, and worth revisiting many more times.… Expand
  4. harrisonjr98
    Aug 16, 2015
    8
    Manipulator is an exciting, fresh, modern take on the garage rock sound. It also represents a significant step forward in production forManipulator is an exciting, fresh, modern take on the garage rock sound. It also represents a significant step forward in production for Segall and co. 8.4/10… Collapse
  5. lenny68
    Sep 8, 2014
    8
    I can't believe that no one has submitted a review for this album yet! Segall may be a prolific album maker but quantity and quality don'tI can't believe that no one has submitted a review for this album yet! Segall may be a prolific album maker but quantity and quality don't always go together and some of his previous offerings have been a bit patchy IMHO. Manipulator on the other hand is a joy to listen to pretty much from start to finish. It could have benefited from being a bit shorter, but overall his best album yet by far.… Expand
  6. seventhseal
    Sep 23, 2014
    8
    This is an absolutely fantastic album, and an album is what it is. From start to finish each track links and builds to produce a fantastic allThis is an absolutely fantastic album, and an album is what it is. From start to finish each track links and builds to produce a fantastic all round listen. I put this on my MP3 and went for a cycle in the woods and the music just fitted ace with the fast paced downhill sections on such a lovely mid September sunny afternoon in Scotland, a rare event.

    I really recommend, encourage anyone to listen to this, Excellent.    … Expand
  7. MCRR
    Mar 5, 2015
    7
    Segall's influences are heard loud and clear in Manipulator, T-Rex in particular. After many listens, I'm still uncertain if the album isSegall's influences are heard loud and clear in Manipulator, T-Rex in particular. After many listens, I'm still uncertain if the album is homage to or pure plagiarism. Either way, the album sounds strong from start to finish and contains a number of tunes that will get you movin'.… Expand

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