The Krayolas "Tipsy Topsy Turvy"

The  Krayolas Mexican Merseybeat continue to impress with Tipsy Topsy Turvy. Hector Saldana turns up the dial to “11” with the Dylanesque “Genuine” letting us know he bleeds San Antonio sangre. The familiar jangle on “Gonna Walk Down” is more what we expect from the band with great buzzing guitar breaks along its rolling rhythm. But this album has noticeably less light pop and more serious western blues influences than past works.

The blue collar do-wop on “Smile Away” is much like McCartney’s back-to-basics approach and a great homage to my one of my favorite Canadian pop stars, “Gordon Lightfoot” where we learn that “they don’t make ’em like that anymore.” Gordon’s influence continues on the gentle ballad “Does She Know.” A series of good mid-tempo songs are sprinkled in the albums second half that deal with immigration and economic issues, “Front Page News,” “The Working People” and “1070 (I’m Your Dirty Mexican).” Another gem is the bouncy “Twenty Miles,” with its gentle organ melody and steady bass line. The slow horns on “Love Is Gonna Getcha” is Saldana’s attempt at Marvin Gaye and a few nice diversions toward the albums end (“Louie’s Song”) make this a colorful addition to your Krayolas box.