A Party in a Jewel Box
Larry White | AdultPop.com | 12/05/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This isn't a great album, just a barrel of fun. Make that 2 barrels. Nearly all the songs are recognizable to even the most casual listener of rock & roll of a certain vintage. Los Straitjackets are a band of top-flight musicians out of Nashville who apparently always wear hooded masks, appearing like villainous Mexican wrestlers, speak Spanish and play frantic, kick-[butt], high-quality, surf-guitar, garage rock. They have had a number of albums but this is the first we've run across. Normally a strictly instrumental band, here they have engaged a bunch of first-rate front men and women to sing these classic- rock ditties. The result is a party in a jewel box. The next time your kid puts on a Slipknot CD, blow him out of the ring with your own band of masked marauders."
If you like 60s music that moves, this is for you.
C. Hanford | Washington, DC USA | 11/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All the cuts on this CD really rock, but the piece that really stands out is Mark Lindsay's version of "Treat Her Right." Those who know Lindsay's voice expect no less. This cover of "Treat Her Right" puts the original to shame. And, contrary to the prior review and as evidenced on this CD, Lindsay never has to be "dusted off." He's always touring and is better than ever. Those who remember all his great work as a 70s solo artist and as former frontman for Paul Revere and the Raiders, can check out Lindsay's web site for tour information and career updates."
Viva Los Straitjackets!
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 03/10/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the instrumental group Los Straitjackets first album to feature vocals. They don't actually sing the songs, they recruited some guest stars to sing. The album features (mostly) vocal versions of (mostly) old rock songs from the '50s and '60s. The vocalists do a good job; especially Raul Malo on "Black Is Black", Mark Lindsay on "Treat Her Right", Exene Cervenka on "I'll Go Down Swinging" and Big Sandy on two songs. Of course, the musicianship of Los Straitjackets is impeccable, as usual. I should mention that two of the songs here are instrumentals; "Shake That Rat", on which guest Nick Lowe plays the melody on bass guitar, and "A Huevo", on which guest (one of) The Trashmen yells out the song title occasionally. I would recommend this album to fans of old fashioned, good time rock and roll."