The first Frigidaires album Play it Cool was released on January 1st, 2024, so while we didn't have to wait long for that first good surf record of the year, I wasn't able to give it my full attention as I was consumed with holiday travel and Gremmy Season. Not the case here, though certainly not at an un-busy time (I'm trying my best to keep up with great releases!), Hot Vacation is not only poised before things get too Halloweeny, but it's had time for marinate for those that picked it up early at Surfguitar101 Festival.
Album art for both is about as signature Scott Sigiuchi as it gets, and the similar theming with different colors keeps making me think of pokemon red & blue, which I strongly doubt they were going for, and I question whether that will resonate with people other than me. But... the next one's gotta be green, right? Anyway, I especially love the detail on the back cover of an album-themed cocktail invented by Marie King, tiki bar and cocktail authority and marital partner to surf megabassist Jonpaul Balak.
The opening title track is a surf vocal number, and as somebody that that typically doesn't do much for, there's enough zazz to it to stay in the game. Some subtle fuzz guitar gives it some edge, and the quick little bridge is glittery and delightful.
And then they throw us vocal whiners a bone with "The Beast", a hulking surf epic and total shift in tone. Their three guitar attack can really make things sound big, but they even throw in some horns to go all in. What makes this song great though is that it doesn't sit with brute strength, but builds to a triumphant, heroic climax.
And that's probably the most noteworthy aspect of this record: The Frigidaires never let a song sit as a simple surf pounder, or a twistin' beach party number. When they do those things, there has to be a bit of an emotional twist to it, often something nostalgic, or maybe just a little bit of sweetness or sadness. Those three guitars are rarely used just for extra heft, but usually to push into more complex harmonies and dig deeper. This plays out again on heavier songs like "Mavericks" and "He Who Greets with Fire".
Surprisingly, on this album they never quite go all-in on a slow anthem, like "Tide Pools" was on Play it Cool or, to dig into Chad Shivers' past projects, "Sky Lanterns" by The Mystery Men? The closest they get is "Pipe Dreamers", but it's not especially missed as it's kind of sprinkled all over the album instead of concentrated into one song. But you've also got "Roger, Roger", which doesn't even try to be a slow song, but is excellent proof of their ability to take a dead-simple musical phrase and make it glow for a whole song.
There's some breadth here too. "Beachcomber's Gold" sits somewhere between spy and exotica, and brings out a bunch of special guests for extra instrumentation. "La Calle" is a favorite for it's irresistible danceable swing, and it's co-written by Sys Malakian! And while they never go fully Spaghetti Western, there's flahses of it here and there, perhaps most prominently in "Canyon's Call".
I also got a kick out of the song "Arrows Out" which is clearly a Davie Allan reference based on the fuzz, but I'd wager it's also a shout-out to the Durham-based group of the same name.
Admittedly, after a decent amount of listens, the title track was the only vocal song that really grew on me. It's just not my musical style. But on the other hand, I feel like I'm still picking up on new things with every listen, and I've been sitting on this record for well over two months now.
Hot Vacation isn't just a name, it's a theme. This isn't a record taking you to worlds unimaginable or life-threatening danger, but light-hearted fun -- plenty of excitement, but making memories along the way. It's a thoughtful, effortful record with a warm sound for any season.
Available on CD, vinyl, bandcamp, what have you, on the growing Colorado Instrumental Fanzine label.
