The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio Album Review.

Artist: The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio

Album: Welcome To The Family

Released: 2026

Artist Website: https://mikejacobymusic.com/home

Welcome To The Family is another set of exactly what brings fans of this outfit's music back for more. Catchy hooks, jangly guitars, pocketed drums and recordings that sound real. This "old school" approach is refreshing in the times of flawless, pristine recordings that are clearly driven by the AI and pitch correction. I say flawless, but that in itself is the flaw of modern recording techniques isn't it? This 11 song set turns its middle finger up at a recording process that in this writer's opinion has gone too far. 

The album opens with the title cut, Welcome To The Family. It has a Smithereens vibe in all the best ways. This feels like a song that was worked out in a garage with half empty paint cans and old golf clubs in the corner. There is a blues collar approach to this music that is sorely missed in the modern music scene. It is music that belongs in a dive bar on a Sunday afternoon as mature folks are sipping beer on the deck. That's not to say the details are ignored, quite the contrary. The details that are shining through are grit and vibe, and this band has both to spare. 

75/24 Split is a cool little ditty that is somewhere between surf rock and punk. It starts with a very bouncy and memorable guitar riff that serves as the interlude between verses. It's such a cool riff that it would've stood on its own instrumentally. The band drives about as hard as any punk band, but with far more maturity and taste. This is one that you can't help to bounce your head and tap your foot to. 

A standout track and the final cut, And It's Gone embodies everything that a really cool rock and roll band brings to the table. It has Tom Petty leanings, but a bit more attitude. The intro features a funky drumbeat reminiscent of Walk This Way by Aerosmith and a Zeppelin-like guitar line that teases the listener.  It takes a turn at the verse that fits perfectly and pulls the song away from the  mentioned influences, moving it into its own space. The completely unexpected outro in itself is worth a spin. It is a must listen for fans of late 70's garage rock. This may be my favorite song of the few records that I have heard from this fun band

This record, like the earlier releases, just feels great. It is the authenticity and simplicity of the delivery of the songs that is so memorable. It has all the raw vibe of The Kinks at their best. Just a great rock and roll band throwing it down like it owes them something. This is a band that isn't afraid to flirt with the many sides of rock and roll. They would've been right at home in CBGB's in the late 70's as well as a beach bar today! When I was a younger man there was a place in New Jersey called The Dirt Club, which looked just like the name suggested. If there were a movie made about that joint this band would have to be the soundtrack to its story!