Release Date: September 19, 2025
Label: Yep Rock
Los Straitjackets have made a captivating return with Somos,
offering a rich tapestry of 15 tracks that blend instrumental rock with
surf-tinged elements. Throughout the album, you’ll hear echoes of retro sounds
and be treated to some exceptional guitar work, showcasing the band’s diverse
musical influences.
Listening to Somos, you’ll find yourself transported back
to the golden era of music, with memories of The Ventures and Shadows (“Genesee
River Rock”) flooding your mind. Los Straitjackets’ ability to evoke such
nostalgic feelings is a testament to their musical prowess and connection with
their audience.
“Bumper Car” kicks things off on side A with some melodic twang
and a smooth rhythm section. This is a toe-tapper (and there are many of those)
with some tasteful leads on the guitar (there are many of those too!).
“Polaris” resonates with reverb as the “island vibes” grab you, then
the warmth of the sun's rays is imagined hitting your face. There is an
acoustic rhythm guitar that is nice and steady, along with the bass and drums.
Some shimmering leads from the electric guitar set the tone and atmosphere
nicely.
“Genesee River Rock” is a throwback to the sound of The Shadows
with some swinging leads and good rhythm guitar to accentuate all of that
activity. Then the occasional drum rolls add their excitement to this retro
classic.
“High Wire Act” steps up the pace and tempo significantly. Some
rapid picking on the six-string is featured here with some reverb for extra
measure. I enjoyed the transitions. Some great bass lines are added. You get
the best of both worlds on this, as today and yesterday are combined.
They shout “Numbskull” as the drums fire off, and then some
hook-filled riffs, and that legendary “Whip Out” callout is perfected. Some
crafty guitar is featured, and the switching up of tempos is good.
“Two Steps Ahead” brings on the heavy bass lines as the guitar
provides a good riff (which at times recalls “Secret Agent Man”). The drums and
cymbals play their part, adding some excitement and emotion.
“April Showers” closes out the first side with some catchy
riffing, then a melodic lead as the rhythm guitar and bottom end are solid once
again. Some tasteful playing and reverberating leads are excellent.
Side B opens with “Cry for a Beatle” as the energy level feels
good to start. The bass part is fantastic, and the drums are very melodic.
Strong leads coming from the lead guitar make it another winner.
“Catalina Farewell” slows things down but with a catchy riff on
guitar. The tune is mellow and relaxing, sounding dreamy like a lullaby.
“Copy Cat” Returns to the more upbeat sounds. The guitars engage
in a call-and-answer session, with the back end always providing a foundation.
There are some drum rolls briefly and a bass solo.
“Sentimental Fool” brings the tasteful guitar leads back in
focus. The rhythm section is very measured and timely as the guitar leads perk
things up, then revert to the original melody, then back to the energy. The
back and forth showcases the bands’ ability to be so diverse within one track.
You hear a girl’s voice say “Bad Apple” to start this track. The
sound is entirely different than any other track on the album. Almost like
something a band would add as a bonus track. The guitar’s bluesy leads are not
something you would expect to hear on a recording like this, but the takeaway
here is that it’s good. Some heavy bass lines are also featured—another example
of their exceptional talent and diversity.
“Wicker Park” has some twangy leads and a toe-tapping rhythm—a
very catchy track with smooth instrumentation.
“Spinout” is their all-out rocker on the album and one of the
early tracks released. The drums start the engines, and you hear them holler
Spinout! Twang and reverb dominate, and then that crazy “Wipe Out” laugh again.
The bottom end is like a locomotive, and the rhythm guitar is exceptional.
“Virgon” closes out this return to greatness for Los
Straitjackets. It starts slow, then they crank it up and go back again to the
solo mellow guitar. The back and forth is great, and a super catchy song.
Somos is a satisfying return to form for Los Straitjackets. Lovers of instrumental rock will appreciate this recording. The mixture of rock, surf, and tracks that transition from slower to faster makes this a diverse listen without any filler. It’s solid and consistent from start to finish.
Credits:
Eddie Angel – Guitar (Bass on “Cry
for a Beatle”)
Greg Townson – Guitar
Chris Sprague – Drums, Voices
(Guitar on “Cry for a Beatle”)
Pete Curry – Bass (Drums on “Cry for
a Beatle”)
With:
Simon Heeran – guitar on “April
Showers,” “Virgon” and “Catalina Farewell”
Alex Hall – Vibes
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Reviews Founder
September
5, 2025
Tracks:
Side A:
1. Bumper Car
2. Polaris
3. Genesee River Rock
4. High Wire Act
5. Numbskull
6. Two Steps Ahead
7. April Showers
Side B:
1. Cry for a Beatle
2. Catalina Farewell
3. Copy Cat
4. Sentimental Fool
