Bloggerhythms

Once again, Mike Jacoby has written all of the songs on his California band's latest release, Welcome to the Family, and once again it's a good set of rocking tunes. On this, the trio's third release, guitarist, composer and lead singer Jacoby continues to work with his solid supporting cast, Don Read on bass and drummer Mike Levin. They're three middle-aged guys who can rock 'n roll, so I don't think they'll be telling their kids to "turn it down" anytime soon. Jacoby also writes intelligent - frequently edgy lyrics - and he's not afraid to get political. That's a brave act these days because too often artists take a huge chance of alienating a good chunk of any potential audience. On the hook-filled title track he sings, "There you are – a random face. You’ve come a long way from a distant place. Look over your shoulder – keep your eyes cast down. Never assume that there’s no one around....

With Rocket Fuel Logic ,  The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio are back with their second album of Americana flavored rock and roll, and it has better songwriting, more hooks and better vocals than last year's debut, The Long Haul .  Leader Mike Jacoby says he is mostly inspired by classic rock, but you can hear more recent influences all over this fine ten song set, especially Old 97s on the opening track, "There Oughta Be A Law." The band's new rocking record includes a variety of subjects, and even when Jacoby works with that timeless and mostly overused and abused topic of male-female relationships he adds a unique spin to his songs. In most cases lyrics are important to a song, but your "sound" has to resonate with me first. If it doesn't, it won't matter how good your storytelling is because I won't be listening. Lead singer and guitarist Jacoby, bassist Dan Read and drummer Mike Levin play vibrant rock that easily con...

Guitarist Mike Jacoby previously recorded three albums on which he played all of the instruments himself, but since 2019 he's performed with Dan Read on bass and Mike Levin on drums. Together, they are  The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio . Depending on the needs of the song, this stellar outfit from Long Beach, California demonstrates a multitude of influences that include power pop, garage rock, British Invasion, and some roots rock with just a tiny bit of country thrown into the mix as well.  Jacoby makes it known that The Long Haul features "real bass and drums" without any of the metallic, glossy sheen that permeates rock music these days. Jacoby's lyrics are important too. He writes serious songs with a humorous edge. The eleven track set includes a few songs about love in all of its forms. The album opens with "Right Off The Bat" a tune that hilariously discusses how dangerous online dating can be. "Maybe, Just Maybe...