Another Look: Los Straitjackets, ‘Somos Los Straitjackets’

Rock instrumental legends return with a new album of all-original material

Although they also have backed vocalists over the years — most notably British rock icon Nick Lowe — the masked luchadores of Los Straitjackets are best known as the modern standard-bearers for rock instrumentals. They remind us of that on the 15 tracks that comprise Somos Los Straitjackets, their 13th studio album and first of all-original material since 2012’s Jet Set.

The album features the lineup that has been together since 2017 — guitarist Greg Towson, bassist Pete Curry, drummer Chris Sprague and guitarist Eddie Angel, the only original member still with the band. Together they evoke the four-piece combo sounds that ruled the charts and airwaves in the early- to mid-’60s.

As with all the group’s recordings, Somos Los Straitjackets is powered by electrifying guitar work. Los Straitjackets often are labeled as a surf-rock band, but their sonic palette is broader than that and includes a variety of early rock stylings. While the album’s material does include some surf-rock tracks, most notably “Spinout,” it also features Chuck Berry-influenced fare (“Genesee River Rock”), echoes of The Beatles Mersey beat sound (“Cry for a Beatle”), garage-rock (“Bad Apple”) and even teen-idol pop (“Sentimental Fool”).

This is a fun record full of relentless grooves and catchy hooks. While it is undeniably retro, it has a freshness to it that captures the excitement and energy that made early rock ’n’ roll so exhilarating.