The Velvet Touch of los Straitjackets

Los Straitjackets

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 1999)
• Original Release Date: July 6, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B00000JC91
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,011 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #26 in	Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Surf Guitar
  #36 in	Music > Indie Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro
  #40 in	Music > Indie Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three for three: Still the #1 surf band!, December 18, 1999

By	Henry R. Kujawa ("The Forbidden Zone" (Camden, NJ)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars surf music for the 90s and beyond, November 5, 1999

By	walter (elk grove, ca USA) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great one from LSJ!, January 14, 2000

By	S. Michael Wilson "A strange hero to a select... (Phillipsburg, NJ) - See all my reviews

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!