Regardless of where they’re from, Los Straitjackets is serious about making fun surf music, and the creative waves flow abundantly on their latest album, “The Further Adventures of Los Straitjackets” (Yep Roc Records). It is an entertainingly skillful romp that goes by in a speedy half hour, and the band doesn’t waste a second of it.
The band consists of two guitarists, a bassist, and drummer. They released their first album of raucous surf music in 1995, aptly titled “The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable Sound of Los Straitjackets,” which sums up the group’s sound throughout all their albums.
Though a totally instrumental group, Los Straitjackets features guest vocalists on several albums—such talents as Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Raul Malo, formerly of country group The Mavericks, and Little Willie G. of the legendary 1960s Mexican-American band Thee Midnighters.
“The Further Adventures of Los Straitjackets” consists entirely of self-penned instrumentals. And what a sound it is! The music is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face while simultaneously building a healthy respect for the band’s musicianship and creativity.
In keeping with the core sound of surf music, there’s a lot of reverb-drenched guitar on this album, as heard in the blistering riffs of the opening “Cal Speed,” which also contains a spunky mid-song rave-up. The vibrating sounds of the tremolo, another element of surf music, also make numerous appearances.
There’s a strong garage ambience throughout the album, peppered with rock, as heard on the heavy chords of the mighty “Sasquatch” and the tough, potent riffs of “Kapt’n Krunch.” This tough sound is leavened with the slower, bass-prominent “Fortune Cookie” and the softer, but spirited chords of the British Invasion-styled “Catalina.”
The drummer keeps busy on this album, a nod to the origins of the genre. One of the originators of surf music, the legendary Dick Dale, was reportedly influenced by the drumming of jazz great Gene Krupa.
Both “Tubby” and “Mercury” have a cool 1950s vibe—“Tubby” with its honking saxophone and “Mercury” with its romantic, slow dance feel.
“The Further Adventures of Los Straitjackets” is surely a fun listen. And while you’re at it, you can check out the band’s highly recommended 1999 album, “The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets,” and its triumphant version of “My Heart Will Go On” (from “Titanic”) as well as 2007’s “Rock en Espanol, Vol. 1,” which has guest vocalists and features Los Straitjackets-styled covers of such 1960s rock hits as the Troggs’ “Wild Thing” and the Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night.” Surf's up!
David Gonzales writes about music and lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.
