Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Straitjackets - Encyclopedia Of Sound Volume I
 | This CD is not intended as a release, but rather as a demo for potential musical projects such as screen scores. There's a lot of cool stuff here. |
Picks: Furious, Road Rage, Candy Rock, Kaboom!, California Fun, Switchblade Stroll, Cactus Walk, Arizona Sunset, Country Squier, Country Squier, Golden Nugget, Heavy Bag, Cropdustin', Cantina, Cantina, Sombrero, Onion Dip, Pot Liquor, Man From S.W.A.M.P., Dipsy Doodle, Take The 405, Fuzzy Nova
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Much in the typical mold of Los Straitjackets, but with a very surf bridge. This otherwise riff rocker is twangy and spunky too. This is not the Furys' "Furious."
Surf (Instrumental)
Spunkin' and rockin', "Road Rage" id s fast number with great drums and that signature Los Straitjackets twang. It's really the drums that make this shine!
Rock (Instrumental)
"Candy Rock" is very much Eddie Angel-like in its guitar tone, but very Los Straitjackets in the beat. Great drums and bass, and rock jammin' throughout.
Surf (Instrumental)
Oh so fine pure Los Straitjackets with ringing tone and twangin' charm. "Kaboom!" is a basic riff rocker, yet as these guys seem to do so well, it captures your interest and holds it. Extremely tight and punchy.
Rock (Instrumental)
Great drums and a guitar riff that sounds kinda Christmas-like. Cheesy keys give "California Fun" a post go-go or perhaps Tex-Mex feeling.
Link Wray Rock (Instrumental)
Very much in the Link Wray camp, with throbbing tremolo and primal twang. "Switchblade Stroll" is very cool in its menacing sound and edge. Wonderful!
Rock (Instrumental)
"Cactus Walk" coulda been a Duane Eddy tune, with that big twang tone and shallow tremolo. Melodically enjoyable and country groovin'. Even the rebel shouts can be found here.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Arizona Sunset" is a very slow moving gutty piece with a trembling guitar and lo-brow pace. Minimal in some ways, Jet Harris and Tony Meehan-ish in others, and with that placid Los Straitjackets grin.
Country (Instrumental)
Sounding like it was born the child of Duane Eddy and Buck Owens, "Country Squier" sports a fine country beat and warm twang. Quire nice.
Country (Instrumental)
Acoustically, "Country Squier" takes on a much more traditional country air. Its faster pace adds to the genuine sense of country music on the back porch.
Rock (Instrumental)
Slightly reminiscent of the rhythm to "Gloria," this track is a primal rock instro. More riff rocker than song, yet thoroughly satisfying. Great drums and edge, and quite sensual.
Rock (Instrumental)
In a rock goes R&B vein, "Heavy Bag" sports some excellent variants of the Stax-Volt guitar sound, with longs sustain a la psychedelic, and superb drums. Very nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
Excellent throbbing tremolo charm on the lead guitar is offset by psychedelic rhythm guitar lines, both of which run atop of exotic percussion and sultry bass. "Cropdustin'" is a very unusual track that's just plain cool!
Tex-Mex (Instrumental)
"Cantina" has a pumping organ that adds to the Mexican theme. The melody is delightful, and the organ brings on memories of Auggie Meyers' work with the Sir Douglas Quintet. I like this a lot.
Mexican (Instrumental)
Acoustically, "Cantina" breathes like a lovely afternoon south of the border. Delightful traditional percussion and bass complete the picture.
Mexican (Instrumental)
I'm not sure why I like this so much, but "Sombrero" has an easy Americanized version of a Mexican sound that's very endearing. It's not like TJB or the Persuaders or the Pretenders, but that kind of emotional hook is certainly here.
Memphis (Instrumental)
Modeled on the Booker T. & The MG's Stax-Volt sound, "Onion Dip" is what you'd expect. Brings a grin.
Pot Liquor
Swamp (Instrumental)
In a kind of "Polk Salad Annie" mood, "Pot Liquor" moves easily through an afternoon on he swamp.
Memphis Swamp Spy (Instrumental)
"Man From S.W.A.M.P." is a pretty cute track, with bayou guitar and Stax-Volt structures. It's funky and undulates with sensuality. Great drums and string slides.
Nashville Twang (Instrumental)
A cool circling rhythm pattern amazingly tight drums, and solid bass support a basic almost Lonnie Mack twangster. Fun and powerful.
Train Jazz (Instrumental)
Drums and bass right out of "Take Five" provide a suitable foundation for the jazzy lead guitar. More than just derivative, "Take The 405" is engaging and sensual.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an easy song with a light beat and dry rhythm guitar. The fuzz guitar plays a small number of long notes that oddly satisfy. Reminiscent of film score music of days gone by.