I hope the whirling onslaught of the title track of The Krayolas’ new album, “Tipsy Topsy Turvy,” helps the San Antonio band finally blow into the consciousness of music fans everywhere.
The Krayolas also growl their way through the swampy rock on “Front Page News.” But “1070 (I’m Your Dirty Mexican)” is the tune that bites the hardest. On it, The Krayolas use pointed lyrics and driving rhythms to take chunks out of the backsides of folks who supported Arizona’s law that cracks down on Mexican immigrants. Good boys and girls, though, can retreat to the sounds of the rollicking cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” if they want to forget about the sweltering heat this summer and dream about cold December winds.
So, yeah, “Tipsy Topsy Turvy” has some of The Krayolas’ hardest-rockin songs in years. It also features some of the prettiest; the soulful “Love Is Gonna Getcha,” the poppy “Twenty Miles” and the jazzy “Louie’s Song (Where’s Louie)” are mighty pretty.
“Gordon Lightfoot, the band’s jangly tribute to the Canadian singer-songwriter, reminds me more of a Byrds tune than a Gordon Lightfoot song. Either way, though, it’s a great track on one of the best releases of the year.
