My Heart Will Go On - Los Straitjackets, Horner, J,
Tempest
Tijuana Boots
Sing, Sing, Sing
Tabouli
Sterno - Los Straitjackets, Vaughn, Ben
State Fair
All That Giltters
Los Straightjackets is an indie band known for their Mexican wrestling masks and their love affair with retro-surf sounds. While earlier records are playful forays into the genre, The Velvet Touch of... (their third full-l... more »ength release) is the result of endless touring and the confidence that comes with it. This time out, while still reverential of the past (their music honors the greats like Dick Dale and the Ventures), they wildly color the mix, with rewarding results. From the grinding swagger of "Rockola" to the blitzkrieg of buzzing guitars in "Hornet's Nest," Velvet Touch should appeal to rock fans of all persuasions. A hint of world music drifts through tracks like "Tabouli," with its sensuous Middle-Eastern feel, and the brassy, Tex-Mex flavored "Tijuana Boots." The band brazenly turns Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing," into a swinging surfabilly number, and the Telstar-treatment of "My Heart Will Go On" (yes, from Titanic) is a showstopper, played with a keen awareness of Hollywood melodrama. (The best part is that they seem completely sincere.) This is an outstanding rock record, perfect for a dose of fun anytime. --Lorry Fleming« less
Los Straightjackets is an indie band known for their Mexican wrestling masks and their love affair with retro-surf sounds. While earlier records are playful forays into the genre, The Velvet Touch of... (their third full-length release) is the result of endless touring and the confidence that comes with it. This time out, while still reverential of the past (their music honors the greats like Dick Dale and the Ventures), they wildly color the mix, with rewarding results. From the grinding swagger of "Rockola" to the blitzkrieg of buzzing guitars in "Hornet's Nest," Velvet Touch should appeal to rock fans of all persuasions. A hint of world music drifts through tracks like "Tabouli," with its sensuous Middle-Eastern feel, and the brassy, Tex-Mex flavored "Tijuana Boots." The band brazenly turns Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing," into a swinging surfabilly number, and the Telstar-treatment of "My Heart Will Go On" (yes, from Titanic) is a showstopper, played with a keen awareness of Hollywood melodrama. (The best part is that they seem completely sincere.) This is an outstanding rock record, perfect for a dose of fun anytime. --Lorry Fleming
Henry R. Kujawa | "The Forbidden Zone" (Camden, NJ) | 12/18/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The wait is over! While this didn't top their debut album, I enjoyed it more than VIVA! Danny Amis & Eddie Angel must be 2 of the most thrilling guitarists on the planet, and to have 2 such talents performing side-by-side blows away most other bands out there. And I rank Jimmy Lester as THE most exciting drummer I've ever seen! Cool tunes this time out include "Rockula", "Hornet's Nest", "Sing, Sing, Sing" (not quite up to Chicago's version, but who is?) and "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic)"--the only thing related to that film I like at all. Plus the album opener is the 3rd version of "Kawanga", which is a huge improvement over the 45-- though I still favor the original from EDDIE ANGEL'S GUITAR PARTY.For anyone who STILL can't get enough of this amazing band, check out INSTRUMENTAL FIRE ("Spanish Fly"), HALLOWEEN HOOTENANNY ("The Munster Theme"), ROCK DON'T RUN VOL.3 ("Branded") and DIAMOND CUTS TRIPLE PLAY ("Take Me Out To The Ball Game") for songs that don't appear elsewhere. Also look for anything by THE PLANET ROCKERS, which features Eddie Angel playing the coolest rockabilly this side of Carl Perkins!"
Surf music for the 90s and beyond
walter | elk grove, ca USA | 11/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just turned 50 years old but I'm not stuck in a "classic rock" mode - I love searching out new bands and I'm glad I discovered Los Straitjackets. This is one of the most fun CDs I've purchased in a long time. Great surf music yet their not afraid to experiment - their version of "My Heart Will Go On" is a classic. And I never thought I'd hear a surf guitar cover of Benny Goodman's "Sing Sing Sing", but it's a killer! And how about that Tijuana Brass inspired track, just without the Brass! All in all, a great CD."
Another great one from LSJ!
S. Michael Wilson | Phillipsburg, NJ | 01/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is FANTASTIC! LSJ haven't made a bad one yet, and this for me is the pinnacle. Their debut and "Viva" are great albums too, but there's just something about their version of "My Heart Will Go On" (the only good thing to come out of that cash-cow movie) that makes me play it over and over...."Close To Champaign" is a nice, laid-back tune with some great drumming by Jimmy Lester; use "Rockula" for your next Hallowe'en party; "Hornet's Nest" has some unbelieveable guitar work by Eddie and Danny; and "All That Glitters" would be a hilarious runway song for the Miss America Pageant if Gary Glitter were hosting it! "The Velvet Touch..." is just a *spectacular* album, from one of the classiest, mesmerizing, and tightest surf bands in - dare I say it? - the world! VIVA LOS STRAITJACKETS!"
Los Straitjackets
S. Michael Wilson | 01/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to Los Straitjackets for the last several years, and haven't been this captivated by a band since the Beatles played Ed Sullivan. The "surf guitar" label only begins to describe their music, which is filled with joyful energy, brilliant musicianship, and a thoughtful appreciation of the 20th century's favorite folk music, Rock and Roll. Viva Los Straitjackets!"
Amazing, soaring surf music -- with one amazing cover
Beau Yarbrough | Hesperia, CA | 02/08/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While everything on this album is top-drawer surf music, the song that, deservedly, gives people whiplash when walking by your cubicle is their cover of "My Heart Will Go On," the theme from "Titanic." Not changed, not transformed, simply filtered through the surf music stylings of Los Straitjackets, it becomes truly a classic surf tune and one guaranteed to make casual listeners stop, trying to figure out where they know the song from.The cover nicely encapsulates both the humor and artistry of Los Straitjackets, who manage to produce classic surf music without sounding like they're simply emulating Dick Dale or the Ventures and without straying into other forms in order to find a way to inject new life into the music.A great album for surf music fans of all ages. Strongly recommended."