gullbuy music review

The Flip Tops

title

All Worked Up

label

Rip Off Records

format
CD

The Flip TopsThe Flip Tops are from Portland, Oregon and their singer was previously the singer for Jetpack. There; in one compound declarative sentence I have stated pretty much everything I know about the band.

While their sound does fit in with all their labelmates, the Flip Tops are not all speedy, lo-fi garage punk. They have a bit more of a 'rock' sound for one. Echoes of the New York Dolls ('Cold Cold Heart') pop up occasionally, and I just realized that the singer sounds like a punkier Mike Monroe (Hanoi Rocks).

'Get in Line' reminds me of the Dwarves (just without the drug references and underage sex). Sound quality-wise I'd have to say they're a step above many of their labelmates, as well. Certainly not polished but just a little better recorded -- trashy, just not AS trashy as say the Rip Offs.

Favorite track? Definitely the ultra-catchy 'Beat You Up.'

---Peter Ledebur, November 19, 2002