LOS STRAITJACKETS
Tis The Season For Los Straitjackets (Yep Roc)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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It's a Christmas record so it lacks the balls of a typical Straitjackets release, but the professionalism and class are intact. It reminds me a lot of the feel and spirit of the classic Ventures Christmas album, so much so I'd suspect it was an influence. They pay tribute to the group with a "Lullaby Of The Leaves"-style intro to "Sleigh Ride" that seems so perfect it takes some memory searching before you're certain the song didn't always go that way. The whole affair is nice and clean most of the way so you can play it with grandpa in the room (though one of the guitarists goes garage on a solo in "Frosty The Snowman" - my guess is it's Eddie Angel), and he'll never have a clue that these guys play in kinky looking Mexican wrestling masks. Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' guitarist) makes a guest appearance just to shake some jingle bells.

Track List:

Here Comes Santa Claus * A Marshmallow World * Feliz Navidad * Jingle Bell Rock * Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer * God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen * Frosty the Snowman * Christmas in Las Vegas * Let It Snow * Sleigh Ride * Christmas Weekend * Little Drummer Boy * The Christmas Song

© 2002 - DJ Johnson