The Chop Tops Fabrikate CD Review

My first introduction to the California Rockabilly trio, The Chop Tops was the band’s 5^th record, “Triple Deuces”. The album was released in 2006 courtesy of Split 7 Records – I still miss that label a great deal – they unleashed several great releases in a short amount of time. As for the CD and the Chop Top gang, it was love at first listen, the band had a smooth style that was somewhere in between classic Rockabilly and Stray Cats influences with a Psychobilly flavor in certain moments. I was instantly hooked so I plundered the internet until I scooped up all their releases. The band’s next album would be their final release for several years – “Deadly Love”. I’m not sure what happened after that, but the band called it a day. It’s one of the best independent Rockabilly releases I own; I had to have both formats – CD & vinyl. I strongly suggest you grab it the first chance you get while it’s still available!
 
In April or so of 2024, The Chop Tops announced that they’d be reuniting for a 7^th album, entitled “Fabrikate”. The preorder was a bundle order vinyl/CD only. The price was too stiff for me, and I don’t order bundles, I like the choice to get one or the other, so I passed on it. I’m getting cheap in my old age. It’s also hard to preorder something when it’s a year away from release. The band has never been dishonest, but cash is king and long preorder models from bands that aren’t active is a big risk to me. The preorder sold out just like I knew it would. I’ve anticipated the streaming release of the album which as of now is the only way to get it/hear it.

The band hooked us cheap skates up on January 2^nd of this year with the digital release of “Fabrikate”. I’ve been cranking on it almost daily since it’s release. And while I find it to be a well-rounded and brilliantly recorded/produced effort, it’s just not as good as the band’s last album, “Deadly Love”. When you put 15 years in between releases, it’s hard to measure up to your previous glories. In true Chop Tops fashion, the band offers up a few instrumentals that fall between Spaghetti Western and whimsical Surf Rock. However, I’m not a fan of instrumentals unless it’s Santo and Johnny or Brian Setzer. The title track “Fabrikate” is my favorite track off the album, it does wreak of the band’s last album musically and feel wise. That’s a big plus for me! Smooth vocals and a revved-up Rockabilly beat with fantastic guitar melodies. “Doghouse Blues” is also a great track, although a bit formulaic at times, it seems like I’ve heard it somewhere before. The tune “Heartbreak” is also a rompin’ track that sees the band firing on all cylinders giving us that Psychobilly flair they’ve been known for in the past. The same can be said of the track “Bucket of Blood” which is a fun track both musically and lyrically, great story line! The unfortunate portions of the album are the slower songs, they just don’t do anything for me and I’m normally a sucker for the slower Rockabilly tracks specifically from The Chop Tops.
 
Given that “Fabrikate” is the band’s final release, I expected a great deal more considering I’ve been a long-time fan. Unfortunately, this album doesn’t measure up to what I expected. I’m not the biggest fan of streaming either, streaming quality/mp3’s doesn’t do music like this justice to me. I want clarity, reverb, slap back and classic sound, mp3’s/streaming doesn’t come close. Those that ordered the vinyl/cd bundle might feel differently, but to each his own. I do suggest checking this album out, but I do believe you’ll find their earlier releases more to your liking.

~Black Angel