Car Kulture Deluxe – April 2009 Los High Tops (the High Tops for those who, like me, are easily confused by foreign words) got its start in the surfing hamlet of Santa Cruz, California. And after years of wowing the crowds at gigs across the country, including big-time Las Vegas venue Viva Las Vegas and the Gilroy Garlic Festival, the trio has put together a 12-track CD of their signature straight-forward rockabilly sound. Their first track sets the tone, letting the listener know that there will be no straying. It will be rockabilly with a side of rockabilly. And for dessert, you guessed it – rockabilly. “I don’t want to say we were attracted to its simplicity,” says drummer Tony Tissot, “but there’s something raw and stripped down about rockabilly. It makes the artist concentrate on his instrument. There’s no place to hide.” The band’s music, which has been described as “surfabilly,” keeps to the middle of the road. You won’t hear the screams and speed of “psychobilly.” It’s more of a classic groove. But within the standard beat and rhythm, the band still manages to create a unique blend of sound ad fury that keeps things interesting and alive. “Texas Radio,” the first track and the title of the CD refers to a somewhat rebellious yet intriguing sound from an unreachable far off radio station. “Honey Baby Sugar” keeps the love alive with a bit of bebop, perfectly placed instrumentals and a beat that made me want to listen over and over. Two other notable tracks, “Hotwire” and “Death Agent 13” are well-played instrumentals. They’re shadowy, showy and fun. So if you like rockabilly skinned of affectation and free of gaseous and directionless hypertuniness (yes, I made up that word), this is the band for you.

(see full review at www.hickswithsticks.com) The title rockabilly track literally jumps out of the speakers. "I saw my baby's note today in pieces on the floor...". Yep, looks like she's been lost to Texas radio. This song ticks along through some intricate guitar work, including harmonics. Guitar harmonics in a rockabilly song? Yes, Los High Tops are not just doing this as a three-chords and cloud of dust band. The opening three tracks are all rockabilly songs with flourishes that keep them from being "just rockabilly." The fourth, "Hotwire," is a surf instrumental for those of us who are tired of surf instrumentals because it's mercifully not a Dick Dale or Ventures rehash; it clocks in at a mere 1:34 but is so rich that it stands up to repeated listenings, a trait that can escape 99% of surf instrumentals. This track begs to be on vinyl, so the band did the next best thing and tacked the sound of a needle entering a groove onto the front of the song, thinking that a CD needs a little hiss and crackle sometimes. From Hicks with Sticks review, October 2008

These guys have been around this scene for a good while now, I know themfromViva Las Vegas and those TV commercials that kept playing in O\'Hare airport. I\'ve been bugging them for a CD for a while. Texas Radio shows off the mix of styles under the Rockabilly Garage Rock Surf rubric. The album starts with a slammin version of \"Texas Radio.\" From the first notes this CD takes you back to real rock and roll.. Other highlights include \"Santa Fe Wind\" a devilish, hypnotic drumbeat and a cool hook just a few bars into the song. There are plenty of uptempo songs that capture their strong stage show. I don\'t know if they are better at roots Rockabilly or the Swing / Rhythm & Blues, but the album keeps it interesting with diverse selection of songs with variations on all these styles. It\'s almost all originals with alive track at the end of some traditional Miserlou and other iconic surf songs. One of my favorites on this album is \"Market Hotwire\", similar to those aforementioned TC+V commercial tunes. They lengthen the spellbinding melody into a complete performance. THat\'s the song that first made me become a real fan of this band. This is one of the best debut albums I have ever listened to. Check this album out, you will not be disappointed. Songs to check out: Texas Radio, Santa Fe Wind, Hotwire and Wally.