Back in 2002, this masked band that specializes in instrumental rock 'n roll brought us their first holiday disc, and for 2009 they're back with another one. This time around they're playing it a bit coy, however, with only CD and vinyl versions being offered, and even then only a limited edition of some 1,000 copies of each, and no download sales. So you're advised to get cracking on this one if you want a copy. As for the new album, it's exactly what you'd expect if you're familiar with the folks named after the dinner jackets that tie in the back. They put a little Tex-Mex into "Que Verdes Son," or "O Christmas Tree" to the rest of us, and marry "Deck the Halls" to "I Fought the Law." "We Three Kings" gets a surf arrangement, the stomping rock version of "Joy To the World" reminds just a tiny bit of "Soulfinger," and "Silent Night Rock" starts off with surf/Duane Eddy guitar and ukelele, plus a bit of ocean sound, then kicks into an arrangement rather like the one the Beatles put to "My Bonnie" on the Tony Sheridan album. And is that a riff out of the "Friends" theme I hear on "Jingle Bells? "Jolly Old Saint Nick" becomes "Groovy Old Saint Nick" in the Straitjackets' telling, and "Soul'd Lang Syne" turns the New Year's anthem into your basic lounge band break song. Good work once more. By the way, folks who miss out on this are advised to stop by Yep Roc anyway, as they're holding a sale on the label's other Christmas recordings -- including the first Los Straitjackets disc. UPDATE: In comments, xenophonic says Amazon does have a download of this, with "Deck the Halls" as a freebie. Click on the album cover to get to the Amazon page. Looks like iTunes has it too. Can't believe I missed this.
Yuletide Beat, Los Straitjackets (Yep Roc)
Back in 2002, this masked band that specializes in instrumental rock 'n roll brought us their first holiday disc, and for 2009 they're back with another one. This time around they're playing it a bit coy, however, with only CD and vinyl versions being offered, and even then only a limited edition of some 1,000 copies of each, and no download sales. So you're advised to get cracking on this one if you want a copy. As for the new album, it's exactly what you'd expect if you're familiar with the folks named after the dinner jackets that tie in the back. They put a little Tex-Mex into "Que Verdes Son," or "O Christmas Tree" to the rest of us, and marry "Deck the Halls" to "I Fought the Law." "We Three Kings" gets a surf arrangement, the stomping rock version of "Joy To the World" reminds just a tiny bit of "Soulfinger," and "Silent Night Rock" starts off with surf/Duane Eddy guitar and ukelele, plus a bit of ocean sound, then kicks into an arrangement rather like the one the Beatles put to "My Bonnie" on the Tony Sheridan album. And is that a riff out of the "Friends" theme I hear on "Jingle Bells? "Jolly Old Saint Nick" becomes "Groovy Old Saint Nick" in the Straitjackets' telling, and "Soul'd Lang Syne" turns the New Year's anthem into your basic lounge band break song. Good work once more. By the way, folks who miss out on this are advised to stop by Yep Roc anyway, as they're holding a sale on the label's other Christmas recordings -- including the first Los Straitjackets disc. UPDATE: In comments, xenophonic says Amazon does have a download of this, with "Deck the Halls" as a freebie. Click on the album cover to get to the Amazon page. Looks like iTunes has it too. Can't believe I missed this.
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Actually- this IS available for Amazon Mp3 download, "Deck The Halls" is even available for FREE..
Speaking of free- within the Amazon Mp3 search field type in 'Christmas' and then sort the results by 'price' click again so lowest is sorted ontop. Voila! A dozen free songs- most aren't that great but a few are serviceable.. try searching 'holiday' etc.. and repeat.
BTW- major props to Francis on the fab site re-design!