REVIEWS FOR “ROCKET FUEL LOGIC”
Bloggerrhythms Review - July 8, 2024
“Alternate Root” review by Brian Rock - June 22, 2024
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio takes off on their sophomore album, Rocket Fuel Logic. Riding the wave of positive reviews from last year’s debut, The Long Haul, the band wastes no time building on their success. This album continues the CowPunk/PubRock fusion of the previous album with similar themes of heartbreak and hedonism accompanied by grinding guitars and pounding drums. Part Old 97’s and part Social Distortion, the trio puts out as much energy as a band twice as large.
The lead track, “There Oughta Be a Law”, sets the tone with a searing rebuke to politically correct cancel culture. Honky-Tonk guitar and Rock and Roll drumbeats drive the rhythm as Jacoby sings ‘helpless gets you nowhere. Whining makes you weak. And who will be the next in line to steal your turn to speak’. A rousing anthem for free speech; the song is a defiant middle finger to the big tech, media, and political overlords who try to suppress it.
Freedom is a recurrent theme throughout the album. “Stomp The Gas” is a high energy rocker that urges us to ‘get off your ass while you’re still alive’. “Resume Speed, Texas” is a tongue in cheek reference to the ubiquitous road signs in Texas that mark the end of small-town speed traps. Another hard driving song, it’s sure to get you driving way past the speed limit. “Here and Now” continues the crunchy guitar chords and the carpe diem messaging. Of course, with freedom comes consequences and MJT explores those with equal gusto. “Explaining to Do” is a harmonica laced Outlaw Country song that tries to make sense of a ‘stupid drunken night’. Honky-Tonk rhythms help convey the bitterness of divorce in “Your Love Song”. “Lie in Bed” slows the tempo and plays with the double meaning of the word lie in the title.
Whatever the consequences may be, MJT proves they’re ready to dive right in on the Alt Country “Ready When You Are”. Understanding that our freedoms and our fates are directly linked, the band ends the album with the optimistic Alt Country ballad “Try”. After urging us to explore all that life has to offer, Jacoby suggests ‘hey, try ‘I love you’. Sound advice from a band with a dynamic sound.
http://www.thealternateroot.com/all-reviews/the-mike-jacoby-electric-trio-from-the-album-rocket-fuel-logic
“Americana Highways" review by John Apice - June 20, 2024
This has some tight playing & accessible tunes, especially the rollicking foot-stomping “Stomp The Gas,” which has hothouse riffing about as catchy as anything Keith Richards laid out. But the sound is closer to vintage Del Lords (“Dream Come True”) & this is well-developed stuff.
Judging from the LP cover these fellows are happily engaged in a nostalgic romp filled with precise guitar playing & driving alt-country beats. Oh, it’s all been done before but judging from my obituaries column lots of blessed performers are making for the celestial exit & someone has to step up…why not the Mike Jacoby Electric Trio?
This band is slick with plenty of Del-Lords, Beat Farmers, Blue Rodeo, Rubber Rodeo & Corn Pone Country dressed up in rock n’ roll finery with luxuriant entertaining qualities. Even silly titled songs like “Your Love Song,” have toe-tapping slickness, a nice piano run & unified vocals that lassos the ear into an energetic knot. And it never lets up.
There are 10 originals produced by Mike Jacoby (guitars/vocal/various implements) & recorded in Long Beach, CA for Rocket Fuel Logic (Drops June 21/Independent/37:00). It’s bands like this that prove not all country-oriented units play mindless pablum. They can kick the tin can a little further down the road than others, light a bigger fire & stir up the barn rats.
Many songs express real-life situations through poignancy & humor. The band has played together for 5 years & the tightness shows. This trio isn’t original in their showcase, but they are proficient & creative. There are some mediocre pieces but how can a band possibly lay out 10 sparkling pieces every time?
“Lay Of The Land,” is plodding with the Velvet Underground’s Maureen Tucker type of bam bam, bam beat & even if the melody requires that thump the drummer could come up with more creative fills to break the tedium.
Fortunately, with “Here & Now,” & “Resume Speed, Texas,” the band & drummer recover their identity. The drums are more charged, the vocals aggressive & the songs are…stimulating. “Here & Now,” has that stirring feel of the Oysterband (“Street of Dreams” “When I’m Up I Can’t Get Down”) & Spirit of the West (“5 Free Minutes”). These 2 bands have songs that are heat-seeking missiles.
This is where Mike Jacoby must aim. He does know where the target is since on “Try” he hits that bullseye repeatedly.
Highlights – “Stomp The Gas,” “Your Love Song,” “Explaining To Do,” “Here and Now,” “Resume Speed, Texas” & “Try.”
https://americanahighways.org/2024/06/20/review-the-mike-jacoby-electric-trio-rocket-fuel-logic/
“Radio Guitar One” review and interview - by Luke Wolk June 10, 2024
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio is an outfit rooted in Americana and Roots Rock that feels right at home in a playlist with Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Wolf and John Mellencamp. Chimey electric guitars that I suspect all say Fender on the headstock, coupled with warm bass tones and drum sounds that don't feel over compressed make this band a very pleasurable listen. They have well crafted songs that aren't forced in anyway but just flow easily from one simple part to the next. The four chord rock and roll band never gets old when it is done with the taste that this band brings to the music.
There Oughta Be A Law is a standout track that reminds me a bit of The Eagles classic 70's sound. The verses definitely feel derivative of the Eagles heyday, while the pre-chorus takes on a Buddy Holly-esque early rock and roll feel, all leading up to a catchy Petty influenced chorus. With county flavored guitar fills, the song cements its roots in the Americana genre as well as anyone. It has all the ingredients that make Americana what it is.
One of the more country influenced cuts, Your Love Song, feels like when The Rolling Stones flirt with the style. Some slide guitar is peppered throughout adding to the twang that makes this move toward the sound that was coming from Tulsa in the late 70s. A time where it was turning more commercial, but was still rooted in the classic country sound. Make no mistake though, it is still a rock band playing it with a rock and roll heart.
Lie in Bed is another standout, with a great Stones vibe in the spirit of their smash hit Angie. A catchy guitar line at the head sets up a dynamic fall into the acoustic verse that lands impeccably. This band writes well crafted songs with lots of dynamic developments that seem to come quite naturally. This song is a great example of how simplicity is almost always the way to go within the Americana genre. When all the musicians just keep it straight and simple, small dynamic changes and accents speak volumes. The restraint is the hard part for most, but this band sounds so naturally relaxed that it hinges on lazy. It is a quality that Tom Petty embraced at its highest level and this band has the same commitment to it. Bravo on the level of self control this requires!
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio sound like they belong on the back porch of a bar that draws diverse music listeners. It is music that hippies, bikers and rockers both young and old will all find something to hold on to within it. It simply feel good simple rock and roll with a bit of country spice. The guitar is always present, but never overbearing or braggadocious. The rhythm section lays it down hard, but never too hard. The ten song set is a masterclass in how to write fun simple songs in the style of Glory Days by Springsteen and the aforementioned Angie by The Stones. This is the way four chord rock and roll bands were meant to sound. I highly recommend Rocket Fuel Logic to fans of the late 70's rock bands like The Eagles, ELO and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. I think you will be thankful you found this great little rock and roll band!
Check out the interview below as well:
Tell us the brief history of your band or musical career.
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio started in 2019 when I needed a band to play the songs from “Long Beach Calling” live. I lucked out in getting Don Read on bass and Mike Levin on drums –we found out pretty quickly that we really have a lot of musical chemistry going on. We captured that chemistry on last year’s release “The Long Haul”. That record got much positive praise and I wanted to keep the momentum going. So we devised a plan to do “definitive” versions of some of my earlier songs that we do live. Give them the “Electric Trio” treatment as it were. That’s how “Rocket Fuel Logic” (RFL) came about.
What album has had the greatest impact on your life as a musician?
Here are a few:
Beatles – “Revolver”
Rolling Stones – “Exile on Main Street”
Neil Young – “Harvest”
Bob Dylan – “Highway 61 Revisited”
Springsteen – “Darkness on the Edge of Town”
Clash – “London Calling”
Lucinda Williams – “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road”
Drive By Truckers – “Decoration Day”
John Hiatt – “Bring the Family”
Todd Snider – “The Devil You Know”
Old 97s – “Fight Songs”….
Richard and Linda Thompson – “Shoot Out The Lights”
(really could go on forever with this … too many to include)
Is there a particular song that has resonated with you for a long time?
A few examples come to mind:
Jason Isbell – “Elephant”
Lori McKenna – “Halfway Home”
Chris Stapleton – “Parachutes”
U2 – “One”
Warren Zevon – “Keep me in your heart”
(Again, this really could go on forever with this … too many to include)
How does your latest album differ from any of your others in the past?
We went through “The Long Haul” recording only last year so we carried that experience with us for this one. RFL was easier to do – the parts were recorded better and the mixing went more smoothly.
What do you like most about your new album?
We were able to get definitive versions of some of my earlier songs – because these songs are GREAT! And they demand to be heard!!! ☺
What's next for your band?
I’m already working on the 2025 Mike Jacoby Electric Trio project – 11 songs tentatively titled “Welcome to the Family”. And … I’m thinking of having the Electric Trio redo my Christmas song “Hangers’ (a popular fan favorite) and getting that out as an Xmas release.
REVIEWS FOR "THE LONG HAUL"
“Take Effect” Reviews - January 4, 2024.
The guitarist and vocalist Mike Jacoby brings a band back into his formula, where Mike Levin and Don Read, plus others, are in attendance for these diverse 11 tracks.
“Right Off The Bat” opens the listen with plenty of energetic, retro rock’n’roll that showcases Lisa Jackert’s animated violin alongside Levin’s acrobatic drumming, and “Everybody I Know” follows with a warm melody and a bit of grit amid the harmonic backing vocals.
Deeper into the listen, the soft “She’s Funny That Way” bursts into a dynamic, roots rock appeal that makes great use of Read’s precise bass, while the punchy “Bend” highlights Art Bailey’s lively piano and immediately welcomes a sing-along.
Landing near the end, “Everything” carries a bit of a jangle amid the lush melodies, and the title track exits with some ruggedness buried in the dynamic and driving songwriting.
Jacoby’s revered brand of Americana and alt-country is always heartfelt, sincere, and sometimes even funny, as he makes a very enjoyable and timeless listen with The Long Haul.
8/10
https://takeeffectreviews.com/january-2024/2024/1/5/the-mike-jacoby-electric-trio
From Bloggerhythms - October 13, 2023
"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.
INK 19 Magazine - September 8, 2023 by Bob Pomeroy
"After putting out a pair of albums, NorthEastSouthWest and Long Beach Calling, where he played pretty much all the instruments, Mike Jacoby decided he really needed the input of a full band to bring his songs to their full potential. So Mike enlisted his old friend Don Read on bass, who brought along Mike Levin on drums. Once the trio started playing together, the chemistry was too strong to be denied, and the Electric Trio was born.
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio play with the enthusiasm of a high school garage band and the charm of seasoned showmen. The Long Haul is a good album to put on when you need some reassurance that the world hasn’t completely gone to hell. “Everyone I Know” is a blast of power pop joy about everyday people finding pleasure in friends and family. Songs like “A Better Man” and “Be Nice” show Mike striving to be a good person. The rockabilly flavored “Bend” could almost have been commissioned by the Bend, Oregon, chamber of commerce with its catchy chorus, “meet me up in the Bend.”
Not everything on The Long Haul is cheery. “Before I Fry” is a visit with a death-row inmate. Even though the protagonist of the songs is looking back at the mistakes he made and contemplating how he could do things better, the subject is grim, but the music is driving and the attitude is optimistic. Even on death row, Mike is looking for the best in people and encouraging self-improvement.
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio remind me a lot of Men and Volts with their roots rocking charm and askew, but positive, view of life. There is always a place on my playlist for a band that can see life as an absurd carnival."
https://ink19.com/2023/09/magazine/music-reviews/ozekoi-the-mike-jacoby-electric-trio
TWANGVILLE - AUGUST 30, 2023 by Shawn Underwood
"I think most people would agree music is a visceral experience. It’s more than that, though. Sometimes the music moves you, and other times it makes you move. Los Angeles’ Mike Jacoby mostly writes and records in the latter style, and sticks to those strengths in his new album, The Long Haul. His previous three releases were primarily solo performances, with him taking the helm on most of the instruments. He started performing with a couple of steady wingmen in the Long Beach Calling timeframe, and they’ve joined him in the studio for this project.
One of the songs that’s most obvious on is The Calm Before the Storm, a commentary on people who focus on finding a scapegoat and laying blame. It has a western-tinged cloudburst of garage band guitar with vocal harmonies that highlight the benefit of different voices versus overdubs. At the other end of the self-awareness spectrum is A Better Man, with the hope of being a stand-up kind of guy driven by a lo-fi, fuzzy punk aesthetic. Nailing another rock sub-genre is She’s Funny That Way, with a southern rock spin on a woman who’s “never going to stay, she gets high with goodbye.”
Jacoby and the band seem to really click when they edge into some power pop. Right Off the Bat is a reflection on experiences in on-line dating when “her hug broke some ribs” and a different date’s jealous ex who had just gotten out of jail. That streak of humor also makes an appearance in Bend, a mini-travelogue about the outdoor lifestyle in southern Oregon, including a pun, for those who’ve driven it, about taking the Old 97’s south to Klamath Falls. If I Don’t Fry balances the searing guitar solos with a roadhouse piano. It’s about an inmate named Lucky who’s really hoping his appeal goes through. The CD ends with the title track, an observation that “life’s a knockdown, drag out, bust up, brawl”, set to a classic heavy rock soundtrack, again featuring Jacoby’s guitar work.
No one’s going to accuse Mike Jacoby of taking himself too seriously, whether in his newer work or with his alt-country, previous band, Haymaker. Frankly, I think that’s the appeal. It’s just simple rock and roll that pegs the fun meter. So hit play on any of his tunes and get your mind set for The Long Haul."
https://twangville.com/44576/the-mike-jacoby-electric-trio-the-long-haul/