This is the first soundtrack music by prolific multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and record producer Ty Segall.
'Whirlybird' was composed for the documentary film about two L.A. journalists who revolutionized breaking news in the 80s & 90s with their helicopter reporting. As a voiceover states in First Pursuit“when you go live and direct at the scene, people watch. People are voyeurs.”
It feeds into the breathless reporting style which has become a staple of most mainstream TV channels. This fever pitch demand for breaking news was brilliantly spoofed on Chris Morris’ BBC comedy ‘The Day Today’ when the announcer boasted his team’s reporters were always first on the scene at every disaster.”
Segall is ideally suited to the subject matter as a restless Californian artist who has tried his hand at musical styles ranging from raw garage rock to rambling psychedelic jams.
For ‘Whirlybird’, he dips into his diverse palette for thirteen instrumental pieces which make creative use of synths, electric keyboards, drums, percussion and saxophone (the latter courtesy of co-writer and long-term bandmate Mikal Cronin).
You need only compare the busy commercial rock of Los Angeles News Service with the brooding drone of News Junkies to get a flavour. Imagine how a mixtape from a friend with ADHD might sound like and you get the picture.
The centrepiece of the album and, I imagine, the movie is Story Of The Century, the soundtrack to the OJ Simpson chase. This mixes fast paced rhythms with nervous pauses and includes a drum’n’sax section that has echoes of Pigbag’s ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag’.
Even without the images, the music captures well the highs and lows of 21st century news gathering and will surely ensure Segall will be inundated with other movie projects.
