Rock Therapy

Released in 1986, Rock Therapy serves as a transitional but vital entry in the Stray Cats discography. Following a brief hiatus and the lukewarm reception of their more experimental 1983 effort 'Rant n' Rave,' the trio reconvened to record this set of mostly covers and a few originals. The sessions were characterized by a 'back to basics' philosophy, aiming to recapture the raw, live-in-the-room energy of their debut. While it didn't achieve the massive commercial success of their early 80s peaks, it solidified their status as the premier curators of the rockabilly tradition. The album features spirited takes on classics by Buddy Holly and Charlie Feathers, alongside Setzer originals like 'Broken Man' which hinted at the more sophisticated songwriting he would later explore with his Big Band. It remains a fan favorite for its lack of pretension and its pure, unadulterated focus on the rockabilly form.