Customer Reviews

'Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whether or not you're a fan of Los Straitjackets -- and if you aren't, get with it! -- this is a fantastic Christmas album!! The energy is relentless, the musicianship precise, and the sense of pure wild pleasure is infectious, shining through on practically every number. The band must have had a blast recording this.

The CD is only about 30-odd minutes of music (my only complaint), but pop it in and see if you don't get some serious Christmas cheer in a hurry! Although every song is a gem, I do have to observe that "Here Comes Santa Claus", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and "Frosty the Snowman" (with some seriously killer guitar work!) are fantastic and unique interpretations of these classic tunes. If you want some high-octane Christmas spirit, scroll back up and buy this CD right now!!

I'm not usually in the habit of picking up Chritmas music cd's. Much less reviewing them. But afterall this is Los Straitjackets, and I collect everything that have those masked men on the cover. As it turned out, this is the best and most entertaining Christmas cd that I've heard since Evan Johns and his H-Bombs "Please Mr. Santa Claus" cd that came out over 10 years ago. If you can ever find that one, get it. It's like this one, a good year around listen. A few words about the songs here. These guys do a great play on these Christmas themed songs by playing them to a surf beat. For instance: "Feliz Navidad" is played La Bamba style. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is played to the song Pipeline. "Frosty The Snowman" has a big drumbeat like Caravan with an absolutely vicious guitar solo by Eddie Angel. "Christmas In Las Vegas" is played to Elvis Presley's Devil In Disguise. "Sleigh Ride is played like the Venture's Walk Don't Run. "Christmas Weekend" has the Link Wray Ace Of Spades guitar riff. And "Little Drummer Boy" has the Dick Dale guitar style, which could fit just about any of his songs really. Anyway you get the idea. It's a surfing Christmas album with some very clever arrangements like only the Straitjackets can do it. Get it, play it, and watch the kids go crazy. You may never stop dancing around the Christmas tree. Highly recommended!

The masked men can do no wrong! This cd is a blast from start to finish. Somehow, LS have the ability to play strictly instrumentals and keep it entertaining and interesting from start to finish. Put this on the stereo when everyone's tired of boys' choir christmas music and it will be a hit.

My personal favs - Here Comes Santa Claus, Let it Snow, Jingle Bell Rock, and Frosty the Snowman. But there isn't a single weak track.

The interesting take on the whole album is how they linked these songs to classic surf songs, with exact riffs mixed in with the Christmas melodies.

Great stuff!

I don't know if it's my Southern California upbringing, but I find surf instrumentals to be some of the most spiritual music known to mankind. Add Christmas tunes to the mix, and you have a Holiday treat almost as sweet as Eartha Kitt singing Santa Baby!

What works about Los Straitjackets' Christmas CD is the way they play their vintage surf guitars in a way that keeps the true essence of the Christmas songs we love. They are playful and creative, but never go overboard with trying to totally overhaul the tunes.

The finest creative touch shines on track #6. The beginnings of the surf classic "Pipeline" start the song, then Los Straitjackets go full throttle into a beautiful rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," then briefly blend the instrumental portion of Del Shannon's "Runaway" midway into the tune.

Track #6 is worth the investment alone, but this entire CD is excellent modernized Holiday music. Take a chance on this one!

This is a fine seasonal effort from America's rockin' instrumental combo. A natural comparison would be to The Ventures' Christmas Album. In fact, the version of "Sleigh Ride" here is almost a note for note copy of the Ventures version. But while the Ventures album grafted intros from then recent hits onto most of their Christmas songs, Los Straitjackets only do that on a few of the songs here. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", for example, uses the intro to the surf classic "Pipeline" and later uses it's organ solo. Anyway, this is a really fun Christmas album. If you are familiar with Los Straitjackets and enjoy them, I think you will dig this.

This is now my favorite Christmas cd of all time. I must have played it over a hundred times already. If you get a chance to the see the Los Straitjackets Christmas Pageant live with the World Famous Pontani Sisters drop everything and go now!!

This is a great take on Christmas favorites. It's totally instrumental, so play it at your next Christmas party! You'll jam to intros similar to old favorite songs, mixed with Christmas tunes. A must have for your Christmas cd collection.

This is one of my 2 all time favorite Christmas CDs. I used to work Record Retail and have a huge Xmas CD Collection. It's happy and silly for the season. It always puts a huge smile on my face as I recall the classic surf tunes and tones. I keep it in my car to help me stay cool in the holiday traffic. The other all time favorite CD is Vince Guraldi--Charlie Brown Christmas. It has a mellower vibe.

If you like your Christmas music performed with a creative twist, you must own "'tis the Season for Los Straitjackets." Not only is it great holiday music, it's a first-class primer in surf guitar. Fun, catchy, high-quality musicianship--it's got it all. Except vocals.

Great to listen to with your full attention as well as a background for a party during the holidays. Just love the surfer vibe in the songs.