Jacuzzi Boys – Jacuzzi Boys

JacuzziBoys_LP2Rating: ★★★½☆

I feel like I’ve been waiting for some time to hear the new LP from Miami’s Jacuzzi Boys.  But, while it’s only been a short two years since their last release, the boys have been touring hard and writing the great songs that fall into this self-titled release on Hardly Art.  It’s full of infectious pop tunes and harmonies that appear to be a foray into a more pop-centric realm.

“Be My Prism” opens the record with this really warm pop feeling; it’s an emotion that serves the song and the album well.  I think the guitar might be a little understated here, though, leaving the melody as the big focus.  But, that seems to be the early approach on Jacuzzi Boys, as they move into “Black Gloves” with the same mentality.  The guitars are a little more pronounced, but there’s still a huge focus on the harmonies the group has created.  Personally, I think this is one of my favorite tracks on the LP.  By this point, the band’s settled into a groove that they ride for the duration, using the guitars to accent their beach pop.

Right after the lead single, “Double Vision” comes another great song that I’ve been partial to as I’ve spent time with this LP.  “Dust” is this drifting pop tune that seems as if it was thrown together haphazardly (I mean that in a good way).  It’s so casual and unassuming, but the ringing guitar effect and the vocals do wonders for my ears. It’s not a tune I expected, which is perhaps why I find it so incredible…all the way to the fuzzed guitar riff near the end.  It’s a song that fits well with “Heavy Horse,” a song that Jacuzzi Boys offer you later in the listen.  The latter tune even includes extra bits of percussion to bring the warmth of the melody further into the fold. There’s hints of swagger in the guitar, but you can easily see yourself enjoying a nice Miami beach sunset and a cold beer while this tune echoes in the distance.

While you can still feel the edge of the band that was apparent in Glazin, this release has a totally different appeal.  This effort seems more geared to a relaxed listen, rather than a beer fueled beach party.  The songs are gentler, leaving a calmer pop feeling to soothe you, rather than one that’s built on propulsive hooks.  For me, I think that it might not be as immediately charming, though the more listens you put into it, the more you’re ultimately rewarded.  If you weren’t completely sold on Jacuzzi Boys, then I think this release is going to change your mind, making you their new biggest fan.

Fresh New Jam from Jacuzzi Boys

Jacuzzi_Boys_Edited_2Man, I’m getting excited by a lot of the releases coming out this summer and fall.  One of my highlights has to be Miami’s Jacuzzi Boys; they’re one of my favorite live acts too.  They’ve been quiet, relatively speaking, since releasing Glazin, but they’re prepping a new 7″ single for July 9th (via Hardly Art), which means their anticipated 3rd LP is just around the corner.  This track has a steady flow to it, calmly delivering warm guitar parts to match the vocal delivery.  I’d say there’s a fair bit of restraint in this tune, showing some growth from their last LP.  Definitely perked my ears up!

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SXSW Preview: Jacuzzi Boys

It’s almost impossible to believe that SXSW is already around the corner.  Almost.  Things get crazy busy around these parts with planning a party, interviewing bands, and mapping out some semblance of a schedule for the week.  At times we all forget that this aint about getting wastey on free booze, but rather “about the music man”. I hope you’ll pardon my lame attempt at an introduction to this post and simply take note and listen to Hardly Art’s finest Jaccuzi Boys.  Follow the jump for more. Read more

Show Preview: King Khan @ the Mohawk (2/4)

Date Saturday, Feb 4th
Location Mohawk
Doors 800 pm
Tickets $11 from Frontgate

Rock n’ roll season is clearly upon us, and Mohawk is kicking things off the right way.  They’ve got one of the best live acts around coming to town Saturday night with King Khan and the Shrines taking to the stage.  We haven’t really heard a lot of new stuff coming from the camp, but their catalog is worthy of endless sets of straight out jams.  And if that wasn’t good enough, the most excellent Jacuzzi Boys will be starting your night out the right way, fresh off the release of their album, Glazin on Hardly Art.  Come on folks, get out and get rad.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/king_khan-torture.mp3]

Download:King Khan & The Shrines – Torture [MP3]

 

Show Preview: Jacuzzi Boys @ Red 7 (9/23)

Date Friday, Sept. 23rd
Location Red 7
Doors 900p
Tickets Tickets @ the Door

Hopefully you’ve had a minute or two to recover from ACL, or from avoiding ACL, whichever way you see fit, but it’s time to get back into the swing of things. One of the many great shows this weekend is the Jacuzzi Boys, fresh off their release of the excellent Glazin record for Hardly Art.  It’s full of catchy garage pop, the sort that never fails to keep your feet tapping and your head bobbing–maybe even a bit of old school pogo.  It’s going to be an energetic little punk show, so you gotta get out there.  You can all catch, The Act Rights, Elvis, and The Early Stages kicking the show off.  I’ll see you there!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JB_CoolVapors.mp3]

Download: Jacuzzi Boys – Cool Vapors [MP3]

Jacuzzi Boys – Glazin’

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Jacuzzi Boys first appeared back in 2008, when they released an EP that presented their garage rock style and followed this with their debut album, No Seasons, in 2009. Now, two years later, they are back with Glazin’, their true sophomore effort, which is chock full of garage rock noises, such as buzzing guitars and wild percussion.

The first track, “Vizcaya,” is a short and sweet introduction to the bands sound. At roughly two minutes, you just get enough of Jacuzzi Boys to know where they are headed on this album. The vocals are sharp and twangy, shuffled amidst the buzz of the guitar and the furious pacing of the song.  For a song with so much crammed into it, it’s a great thing that it’s so short, because it quits itself before the song becomes overwhelming. Such is not the case for third, and title track, “Glazin.’” Even upon first listen, you can feel the repetition of at the end, which is definitely a sign that it has gone on for too long, and it’s easy to seek it out on repeated listens.

This is a bit of the precursor for the rest of Glazin’ in its entirety. There are some songs that really standout as the album comes to its close, but the majority of the tracks in the middle all sort of mesh together into a big ball of garage rock, which by no means is a bad thing, but it isn’t an album made for active listening. The songs are short enough that they jump quickly from one to the other, but this also makes it difficult to discern the differences between songs; those little nuances that are supposed to come with variation. The result is that the repeated sound fails to hold the attention of its listeners, but if there’s one thing I could advise you, it’s to stick around for the end, in which Jacuzzi Boys bring back the variety.

The last two songs, “Los Angeles” and “Koo Koo With You,” both showcase the best of the garage rock sound as well as a different side of the band. The second to last track is one of the most intriguing all out jams on the album. You have the trademark sound, but some gang vocals jump in and will have you grooving along. Then Jacuzzi Boys switch things up at the end, with the catchy last, and acoustic-y, number. Gone are the buzzy guitars, for the most part, and present is a softer touch to this album, which, albeit, might have been better placed somewhere in the midst of the rock as opposed to at the end.

If you’re a hardcore lover of garage rock in any form, then Glazin’ should be a real treat for you. If not, then you should be able to find some tracks that may tempt your fancy on this casual effort.

New Power-Pop from Jacuzzi Boys

A slew of jams popped up yesterday by the likes of Real Estate and Cymbals Eat Guitars, but the one I have been enjoying, actually a few weeks before yesterday, is this pop hit from Jacuzzi Boys. Based on what I’ve heard from their upcoming record, Glazin, which comes out August 30th on Hardly Art, they’ve got to be one of my two favorite bands of the moment…the other being Texas’ own Bad Sports.  I mean, it doesn’t get a whole lot better than gritty licks and power-pop kicks.  If you’re in need of a pick me up, put this track on 11, and go to town–the day will only get better from here.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JB_CoolVapors.mp3]

Download: Jacuzzi Boys – Cool Vapors [MP3]