These songs are played with such energy and conviction, the whole deal rises above being a novelty record. Three different lead singers – Little Willie G., Big Sandy, and Cesar Rosas (of Los Lobos fame) – each bring their own electricity to their tracks. While the arrangements are often close to the originals (they’ve really nailed that distinctive power-chord riff on “You Really Got Me”), the songs inevitably gain a little Mexicano flair just from the vocals.
Of course, not every song is a literal translation of the English original – dig “Dizzy Miss Lizzie” turned into “El Microscopico Bikini”, “Slow Down” turned into “Calor” (Heat), “Devil Woman” turning into “Magia Blanca” (“White Magic”), and (here’s my favorite) “Wild Thing” becoming “Loca to Patina el Coco” (“Crazy Person Slides the Coco to You”). That's what worked for the original south-of-the-border 45s — you can't make this stuff up.
The songs that I really get off on are the tear-loose dance party classics, like “Poison Ivy,” “Slow Down,” and “Bony Maronie” (excuse me, “Popotitos”) where Los Straitjackets’ smoking guitar work and tight rhythm section can shine. On the other hand, a torcher like “Lonely Teardrops” somehow oozes extra passion the way Big Sandy croons it, and good-time singalongs like “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wild Thing” have an irresistible sloppy charm.
Frankly, there’s not a song on the album that doesn’t get more fun the more often you hear it. By stripping away the familiar lyrics, Los Straitjackets bring us back to the essence of these early rock-n-roll gems, and you know what? They hold up just fine. Just go find the car keys and give this CD a spin.
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