You could say that the debut album from Juicebox is about twenty-five years too late, but if you’re already determined never to grow up then Wasted Youth is always on time. Despite the 2019 release date, the album feels like it walked out of the pinnacle of the power pop era – able to hold their own against the likes of Wheatus, Weezer, Ween, and presumably other such bands of a similarly alliterative nature.
The album is brilliant in how gloriously immature it is – clearly the product of a misdirected overabundance of creativity. There’s a cleverness to the lyrics, even if you’re being left to simultaneously roll your eyes while stifling a belly laugh. This is wince-inducing, guilty pleasure material that covers topics ranging from the limitations of postpubescent males as romantic partners (“Bad Boyfriends”), to living out the secret double-life of an badass undercover skater (“Skater”), to getting a girlfriend’s 70-year old mom pregnant in a Mrs. Robinson situation taken too far (“Amalie”), and of course there’s the track titled “Micropenis”, which seems fairly self-explanatory. It’s not an exactly an appeal to the higher-self, but if you get through all that without at least a snicker you’ll want to get your pulse checked.
Musically the whole thing is ridiculously catchy – with all the absurdity of The Bloodhound Gang, but without any of the pressures to actually attempt dancing. After all, these songs are debasing enough as is; there is no need to flaunt it publicly.
Strangely, the band taking an approach to song-writing that conversely shows a level of unapologetic self-awareness. It’s an honest reflection and acknowledgement of how cringe-worthy an entire period of our lives can be. In that acknowledgement, the album practically becomes an act of solidarity; for who among us may cast the first stone and declare themselves to be wholly innocent of that most universally human of crimes: having been, at one time or another, a total and complete moron.
Juicebox explains that Wasted Youth is really a reminder that “no matter how ‘mature’ you may be, you’re really just three kids stacked on top of each other underneath a trenchcoat—and maybe that’s okay.” Given how much I enjoyed the album, I might be disappointed with myself, but I’m also inclined to believe them.
Show Dates:
01.17.20. – Halifax, NS @ Gus’ Pub & Grill*
*with Spirit of the Wildfire and Air Traffic Control