Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2010 > August > 10 > Entry
Local CD review: the Hi-Tones ‘The Hi-Tones EP’
The greatest strike against this five-song EP from Austin’s charging old-school rock quintet is that it doesn’t include any performance footage — live, the Hi-Tones are a force to behold, lead singer Johnny Flores a freewheeling blur of snappy dance moves. “The Hi-Tones EP” can’t quite capture that charm, but it comes awfully close, no doubt thanks in part to local producer extraordinaire Chris “Frenchie” Smith, who knows from rock ‘n’ roll.
Opener “Hit and Run” sets the pace, exploding with electric hooks as Flores growls out a sordid tale of automobile-inflicted personal and property damage. “You will never take me alive,” asserts Flores in a line that’s Bon Jovi-worthy in its classic rock efficiency. “I’ll keep running until the day I die.” He backs that up on following tracks, from the straight-ahead rock with a dash of Nuggets jangle of “She’s Got It Bad” to the killer bar-friendly sing-along of “Mistress of Misery.” And bassist Gary Delgado really earns his keep, anchoring the songs with impressive skill. “The Hi-Tones EP” won’t win any awards for novelty, but for energetic, raw rock, it’s hard to ask for much more.
The Hi-Tones will perform Aug. 21 at the Hole in the Wall.
Follow Austin Music Source on Facebook and Twitter.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Reviews
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.
By Austin Song Writer
August 13, 2010 12:25 AM | Link to this
Re: The Hi-Tones EP, It should be noted, and I’m sure Frenchie would agree, that most of these tracks were co-produced and co-written by former LA/Nashville producer, now working in Austin, Oscar Houchins.
By Austin Songwriter
August 14, 2010 12:20 AM | Link to this
Re: The Hi-Tones EP, It should be noted, and I’m sure Frenchie would agree, that most of these tracks were co-produced and co-written by former LA/Nashville producer, now working in Austin, Oscar Houchins.