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Solo You Can't Hear It!
Jim Jacobi
Lo-Fi garage roots music never died, it just got a bigger garage, and here's proof. Jim Jacobi's CD pushes the limits of his recording gear -- most everything is distorted somehow, the audio range of this disc is somewhere square in the middle, and most of the high and low end is lost in translation. But that's the genre. Don't expect Guided By Voices-style lo-fi perfection here.
Now that we've run the disclaimer, this CD works very well on the strength of Jacobi's personality. Yes, there is some good guitar playing, and when the garage sound works, it works well, but Jacobi puts a lot of heart into his singing and songwriting, and that's the real draw. Does it really matter that he's actually screaming the words "telepathic cat" over and over on track three?
Hell, no. This CD has character. The songs are funny, rude and opinionated. Nobody on this project is terribly worried about who's going to like it and who won't. There's some real attitude on these songs. The ingredients list of "Pizza" makes you want one, but don't eat it til after "U.S.F.U.W.," as you'll be doing the punk-rock-head-shake in spite of yourself.
"Mark On You" is southern-fried twang/rock; "Inside" goes all-out in the best tradition of the Butthole Surfers. Did I mention that there are twenty-one songs on this CD? Towards the end, there's an awful lot of variety going on here, including a little Ramonesy ditty called "Obscene" that also manages to explore some Rev. Horton Heat sounds. None of these sonic homages fall flat -- they're all dead-on and fun to hear.
-J. Wallace, www.indie-music.com, 09/03/05
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Musicianship - 8.5 out of 10
Summer has been a busy time for us here at MWB, and the proof of that is the fact that Jim Jacobi's latest recording was sent to us back in late June, I believe, and I have just now gotten around to writing the review!
Up front, I must say that this album is pretty cool to me. I was invited to play bass on a couple of tracks, and though the logistics didn't work out to allow me to do that, I have still listened with the thought in my head, 'What would I have played on this song?" My contributions wouldn't have made any difference, and in fact, may have diluted the mix, because to me, this is one of the best-sounding records that Jim has done! All the instrumental parts, with the exception of background vocals on several songs, a flute track and lead vocal track (all done by Executive producer and long-time partner-in-crime Carole Zacek), were done by Jacobi himself! Because of that, I think he was free to take the creative direction of the album wherever he felt it needed to go, and that freedom ended up allowing him to make a great-sounding record! Awesome stuff that you just have to hear!
Songwriting - 9 out of 10
I have the same thoughts and feelings with regard to the songwriting on Solo You Can't Hear It! The material on this record is inspired, as Jim tackles subjects that are diverse and heartfelt. He writes songs about hanging around the house (Putz'n), and he also wrote a couple of songs from a cat's perspective (Telepathic Cat, Mark On You)! He writes songs about political subjects, pizza, getting fat, rockabilly - no subject is safe! And, each song is unique, because it is written from Jim's perspective on life and the things that affect him daily! His sarcastic, humorous take on reality in America today is something that has to be experienced! Please make sure you pay attention to the lyrics while you're rocking to Jim's great tunes! You definitely won't regret it!
Sound Quality/Professionalism - 9 out of 10
Lo-fi is still the accurate description of Jim Jacobi's sound; however, I think this one is his best-sounding record to date! The majority of the tracks were recorded by Jacobi. He is also credited with the mixing, editing and production. I really like the way the album turned out, especially with respect to the guitar work, and the programming/percussion. His vocals also sound really good! In fact, for me it was very easy to understand the lyrics, and it helped me to see what a cool songwriter Jim Jacobi really is! Great work, Jim, and I truly mean that! This is a great collection of songs!
Packaging - 9 out of 10
I always like the unique things that Jim chooses to do with the cover art and info on his CDs. This one is no exception! The picture on the cover is great, but the one on the back is priceless! It shows several different characters, all of which are Jim Jacobi at various stages of his career! Seeing the changes in his appearance over the years is something that was very cool for Jim to share with his fans!
The liner notes are also interesting, giving information about the project, as well as production and musical credits. There is also a very cool quote that is there, with respect to the status and importance of Garage music in today's music scene. I won't give it away, but I think that what is said opened my eyes to the importance of musicians doing the type of music that Jim Jacobi does.
Favorite Tracks
Or Again
Epilogue
Mark On You
Inside
Obscene
Press One
The Man
Telepathic Cat
Pizza
Overall Rating - 9 out of 10
Jim Jacobi is an artist that I respect for his bold views, his unique take on music, and for the way that he has done his own thing for as many years as he has been involved in music. He is a person that likes to be on the cutting edge in a strictly lo-fi way, if you know what I mean! He creates music that is uniquely his own, and knows that people will either accept it or not. There are some artists that create music this way that I don't care for, but Jim is not like that! I am always anxious to hear what he is up to, and though I get busy, and don't always have the time to get back to him as quickly as I'd like to be able to, I eventually make time to hear his stuff, because I know that I will enjoy it!
Solo You Can't Hear It has become my very favorite Jim Jacobi record! To me, it is his finest work to date, musically and lyrically. I have listened to it over and over again, and think I will probably listen to it many more times before my attention is drawn away by other stuff. The tunes will stick in my head, though, and I hope to add a healthy dose of the songs to MWB Radio!
Time marches on, and the 'New Dogs' come into their own all the time, claiming to use new tricks that the 'Old Dogs' can't hang with. The real truth is that there really is nothing new under the sun, and the 'Young Pups', as I prefer to call them, are really rehashing something that the 'Old Dogs' have been doing for years! Jim Jacobi is an artist who seems to be unfazed by all of the jockeying that goes on for top position in the mainstream market. Instead, he is content to do his own thing, and let people know what he's up to. By and large, the 'Old Tricks' he turns out on his CDs smoke the sounds produced by the 'Young Pups' almost every time! Try to hang if you will, 'Young Pups'! Jim Jacobi is an 'Old Dog' that can teach YOU a thing or two!
Get a copy of Solo You Can't Hear It! That's all I really need to say!
-Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com, 9/21/05
Midwestbands.com Review Here
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GET OUT!
Jim Jacobi
Get Out is the 15th release by Jim Jacobi and is a very rare kind of album. I say this because Jacobi has been making albums since 1978 and hasn't lost any sight of his punk roots.
My first impression of the disc from the opener, also the title track, was that Jacobi is a peer of such great punk pioneers as Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys. His voice swings between sounding like Biafra and the Reverend Horton Heat. It's very accessible even at its most raucous moments. It was no surprise later when I read his biography and saw that Biafra has picked up Jacobi for his Alternative Tentacles label, and that he has also opened for Rev. Heat in the past. Jacobi truly is an underrated punk pioneer. Songs like "Welcome To My" whose chorus is simply "welcome to my fucked up life," and "Another War," which is all about people acting like monkeys, are punk anthems in the truest, grittiest form.
What makes this album so great is that Jacobi is able to deliver his messages with a solid dose of humor in his witty, biting lyrics. He's not sugarcoating anything. The music is raw and in your face. The key element is that he's able to use humor without it sounding contrived or overshadowing the music, which would have made him come off as a novelty act. It's clear that this man's music has preceded (and most likely influenced) many bands such as NOFX, Tiger Army, and GWAR.
I was highly impressed by the instrumentation and songwriting on this CD, and it's very apparent that Jim Jacobi and his compatriots have been doing this for a long time. They're pros. It's really refreshing to find that there are still some of the veterans of the scene making music that's honest and great. It really helps you recognize how much bad "punk" music there is out now in the mainstream when you take some time to sit and listen to an album such as Get Out!!!. It's music that will make you laugh and think. (Full Review)
Benjamin Daniels, http://www.indie-music.com, 12/04/04
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... Jim Jacobi has been playing punk rock longer than many of today’s punk rockers have been alive! And, with the release of Get Out!, he’s proving that he still has it in him to create good, relevant music!
...This album is hitting me at a time when I can really identify with the anger and sarcasm in the lyrics of some songs, so I guess I would have to say that the songs that talk about life being crappy are among my favorites. Chief among these tracks are ‘Welcome To My’, and ‘Life Got In the Way’. You’ll just have to hear them to know what I mean!
Jim has included a country track on the past two albums he’s released, and I like his take on that particular style! He captures the sappy sentimental sound of country very well, firmly places his tongue in his cheek, and lets it rip! To hear the country crooning on this release, be sure to listen to ‘Never Going to New Orleans Again’! There is also a cool instrumental on this one, called ‘Drivin Mr. Davey’, followed by a funky little number called ‘Equine Fecal Funk’; just 3 examples of the variety you get from Jim!
In conclusion, there are three things I like about Get Out!; first, I like the variety of musical styles used on the album. Second, I like the Rock and Roll attitude that is displayed. Even if a song sounds bluesy, country, or punk, the attitude is the same! Third, I like the length of the songs; you don’t get 13 four minutes songs – you get 20 songs that usually clock in under two minutes and an album that doesn’t get old!
I admit it! I’m a fan of Jim Jacobi's, and I recommend his stuff to anyone willing to listen! On Get Out!, his lyrics are real, depressing, and creative; his music is edgy and interesting, and his attitude sucks! This IS punk rock, Baby! What else do you want? (Read full review here)
--Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com, 1/20/04
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Other bands may come and go...but Jim Jacobi lives on forever. The former Crap Detectors leader continues in his mission to provide credible intense garage rock...and this is right up there with his best releases. Get Out!!! is the fifteenth (!) album from Jacobi. While other musicians come and go...often forgetting their original intent and/or neglecting the needs of their audience...Jim just keeps on truckin' with as much verve and gusto as when he began. On this album a variety of pals offer assistance: Carole Zacek, Fuzzy, Charlie Burton, Butch Berman, Dave Boye, Dr. Dave Fowler, Phil Shoemaker, Dave Robel, Brad Kreiger, and Craig Kingery (whew!). Jacobi's sense of humor remains intact, as is evidenced by the lyrics on tunes like "Get Out," "Life Got in the Way," "Equine Fecal Funk," and "House Hunting for Billy Bacon." Another excellent release from one of rock's great underrated heroes. (Rating: 5)
--BabySue Review www.LMNOP.com
I'm Datin' Satan!
Jim Jacobi and the JOJAKIMBI Band
"Jim Jacobi still rocks on—and hard. This is most apparent with his newest release, “I’m Datin’ Satan!”, 14 self-penned, true-life tales of love found, love lost, hate found and hate resolved, delivered with Jim’s undeniable stamp of savagery, tongue-in-cheek humor and amazing energy for this 52-year-old punk rock master who’s vocal and guitar work simmer and burn with the best of ‘em."
Read full version here
--Butch Berman, Berman Music Foundation, Autumn 2003
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"Jim Jacobi and his early band, the Crap Detectors in another review; suffice it to say, Jim Jacobi is a very interesting voice in the universe of rock and roll.
This CD, I’m Datin’ Satan, displays the talents of the band very well. Jim Jacobi has a great sense of humor, and it is on display in songs like “Nervous White Guy” and “Four Beer Story”. The musical ability of the band comes out too. His music, as described in the liner notes, is punk. Not the punk of the Ramones or Green Day or anything like that; his music is more like the music of Iggy Pop or the Velvet Underground; music that is loud, crude, rude and obnoxious, but very relevant. Jim comes across as a guy that has fun playing the music that he plays. He’s not preaching a message of any sort; he’s just playing good loud rock and roll and having a very good time. In fact, I think the last few words of the song “Stella” sum up this band; “I asked Stella to come down here, with all the feedback and the noise, but she’s afraid of what’s in the basement--big loud sounds with old weird boys”. I would definitely recommend that you get this CD. It will take you back to the days when simplicity ruled rock and roll, and “Nervous White Guys” rocked!"
--Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com, 2/22/03
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"Old school punker Jacobi's been doing his thing since the first punk wave hit the shores in the '70s. You'd think a guy his age would lose his stamina, but he manages to keep it up on most of the heavier, harder, noisier, angrier numbers. The opener is two minutes of sheer Midwestern Ramones, with Jacobi spitting out the inspiring line "She's turned from a lovely woman / Into a lunatic bitch." Nice. "Hung Over" is pounding surfaholic heavy metal with an Iggy Pop twist. In fact, Iggy's influence is all over the noisier songs, from the growling title track to the burning "Old Fashioned Love" to the thick-lipped chugger "Chunk-a-Runkus."
...Maybe he's mellowing as he gets older, just like a fine malt liquor. I just assume he leave the hick stuff at home -- it's the punk that makes him legend. "
--Tim McMahan, LazyEye Reviews, November 2002
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"Best thing I've heard from you, actually! I listened to the whole thing instead of tossing it after 2 songs like I do most stuff."
--Jack Endino (Record Producer), Seattle, WA
August 2002
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"I just want to let you know I think 'Satan' is the best of all the CD's you've sent my way. Great job!"
--Jim Peppan, Seattle DJ
Crap Circles: The Jim Jacobi Chronicles
Crap Detectors and Beyond 1978-2001
I was really glad to receive this CD in the mail! I was unaware of the history of Jim Jacobi, and it was very refreshing to me to hear the work that he has done over 25 years! It was also interesting to see the evolution of The Crap Detectors as a band, and Jim Jacobi as a person. The really interesting thing to see is that his music hasn’t changed that much! He has followed the same pattern in his music; loud, brash and uncompromising. The musicianship has always been very good, and the lyrics are funny and interesting! He strikes me as the kind of guy you would want to go hear at a club, and then hang out with after his set. His music, I feel, conveys his personality, and makes me want to know more about him.
Through the history of his performances, you get a sense that he has retained the punk mentality. His music always stands apart from the ‘Trend’. It is true punk; angry-sounding, intense songs in which he thumbs his nose at the status quo and ridicules the trend-followers of society...I really think this is a testament to the no-frills, garage sound to which Jacobi has remained true... Read the rest here
--Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com, 2/24/03
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Was Lincoln, Neb., a hotbed of the original punk rock music movement circa late 1970s? Judging by this exhaustive 23-song chronicle that spans more than 20 years and almost 70 minutes, you would think so. Corn-fed Sex Pistols perhaps? The earliest tracks here have the same groove as the Pistols, Ramones and the Buzzcocks. By 1980, the band had already shifted its sound to post-punk and pretty much stayed there for the rest of its career even into the late '90s.
The recording quality, as well as the general quality of punk, was quite good. A band could do a lot worse than covering a fist-pounder like "Intellectual Morons." "Police State" is snarling and raw, with the dictum: "If you want it/That's how you get it." Nice. "Self Indulgent Song" sounds like it was lifted right off Talking Heads' Fear of Music right down to Jacobi's David Byrne howling. "Feed the Rats" has a distinctly B-52s "Rock Lobster" feel to it. And so on. At times, the music borders on Rocky Horror frivolity. Jacobi's gutteral punk grunt is the thread that holds it all together throughout the subtle shifts in punk rock styles.
It's not all aping. The '81 track "Expatriots of Reality," with its weird beat nightclub sax shuck, rolling bass and chopping guitar at the chorus is one of a kind. And the barking on "Feeling Amputee 1983" is indeed unique, if not bizarre.
Was Jim Jacobi the punk-other to fellow Lincolnite Charlie Burton's twanging caterwaul? We'll never know. As a document of the band's history, fans can't go wrong. For the rest of us who weren't around back in the day, this is an interesting, if not nostalgic, retreat from today's hump-geek-rap rock that's inaccurately deemed punk.
Rating: Yes
--Tim McMahan, The Omaha Weekly
May 23rd, 2001
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Jim Jacobi and the Crap Detectors were part of Lincoln's punk/indie scene when punk was just becoming cool
The most recent issue of Spin magazine trumpets "25 Years of Punk," and VH1 did one of its quickie documentaries to accompany the issue, complete with commentary from "expert" Spin writers who were in preschool when the Ramones, the Sex Pistols and company changed the world. The VH1 show pays lip service to punk's do-it-yourself ethos and makes brief stops in Los Angeles, '80s Minneapolis and '90s Seattle. But its "star" approach largely misses one of the key elements of punk.
You see, from the late '70s on, the punk/indie rock community was just that, a community that flourished across the nation.
Evidence of that community and how it was connected to Lincoln hit local record stores a few weeks ago. It's called "Crap Circles: The Jim Jacobi Chronicles Crap Detectors and Beyond 1978-2001."
The Crap Detectors were Lincoln's first punk band, an outgrowth of Jacobi's home four-track recording sessions in 1977. Those cuts were released on "Victims of the Media," a 1978 album that got noticed across the nation for its raw, uncompromised sound and passionate lyrics.
"It started in Nebraska, the most obscure of places, and had an impact on Jello Biafra," Jacobi said. "He got the name of his record company from the cover of 'Victims of the Media.' "
The "Victims of the Media" cover showed tentacles wrapping up television sets, among other things, a commentary on the consumer society. Biafra saw it and named his label Alternative Tentacles. The label is still going.
Jacobi never sold hundreds of thousands of albums - he calls himself a minor leaguer. But the Crap Detectors developed a following in Italy, of all places, and Jacobi has continued to produce his powerful music ever since.
Those sounds are captured on "Crap Circles," which is full of cuts with titles such as "Police State," "Intellectual Morons," "Unemployment Line" and "Crimes Against Humanity." You get the idea.
But the record is subtitled the "Jim Jacobi Chronicles" for a reason.
"There were, like, 12 different bands," Jacobi said. "I didn't want to say this is a band chronicle; it's more an artist's chronicle. I wrote all the stuff and I play on it all. Maybe you could say it's a 23-year self-portrait. Some of it's good; some of it sucks. It's up and down, just like life is."
Jacobi knows something about self-portraits. He has a master of fine arts degree in painting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Some of his brightly colored, highly expressionistic paintings of animals are now on view at Gallery 9, 124 S. Ninth St.
"They (music and painting) are kind of both in weird cycles," Jacobi said. "I get high on music and really do a lot of it, then it fades away and I get real energetic about painting. It comes from the same source, whatever that is."
Jacobi hasn't spent all 23 years in Lincoln. In 1985, he moved to Dallas. By 1990, he was in Seattle, just in time for the punk renaissance that eventually produced Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden and what came to be known as grunge.
"It was the same thing over again, like '78 and '79," Jacobi said. "The record industry had no control for a short period of time, and all this great stuff happened. Those two windows of opportunity were real cool. Then, of course, the record companies got ahold of it, made it more palatable - and it's gone."
Jacobi returned to Lincoln a couple of years ago and re-teamed with longtime collaborators Dave Robel on drums and Craig Kingery on bass to form the Joe Jakimi Band.
That was also when he got the idea to make his compilation album.
"When I came back to Lincoln, I got ahold of all the master tapes," Jacobi said. "It was kind of making a chronicle of what a garage band was like. I don't really like the label 'punk.' I've been playing garage music, independent music. It does have that real hard edge quality, because it's more fun that way."
--L. Kent Wolgamott, www.journalstar.com
April 27th, 2001
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CRAP DETECTORS, let's get that out there front and center, that long-running KBD band being the early vehicle for this here Mr. Jacobi's art-dry MX-80-styled songs. This comp covers the early DETECTOR's stuff from '78 to the late 90's (when the band officially ended) and his solo stuff thereafter. The 70's/ early 80's CRAP is going to hold the most interest for art-punkers, and there isn't enough of it, frankly. The later stuff is fine enough, it just lacks the creepy garage quality of the first LP and 7". (RW)
--Maximum Rocknroll, May 2001
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Twenty-three ass kicking garage/punk rock songs from a band that influenced America's first wave of punk rock! This anthology/greatest hits of the Crap Detectors chronicles 20-years of their uncomprimised punk rock. From 1978-1998 the Detectors never lost site of the orginal vision of the band since the day Jim Jacobi & Herb Hill conceived the band. There first 2 singles influenced Nebraska and the rest of the underground American punk rock scene to stand up and create there own version of punk. Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys was so intrigued by the band he named his own label after being influenced by the bands first lp cover. The 23 tracks on this compilation sound as fresh and raw of any punk band that lasted the duration of 20 years & beyond. This compilation is a must for any punk collector. You'll understand what you've been missing all these years.
--T-Bird, Quarternotes
Joe Jakimbi Band
"Jim Jacobi has a great knack for surrounding himself with very talented musicians, as well. There is a track on this CD called “Brad’s two minutes of Miles/Real Wild Thing”, which features a freeform trumpet solo from backing instrumentalist Brad Krieger. It has to be heard as well. Honestly, every song on every CD that I have heard includes great musicians. Many times, the recordings are reproduced from very primitive source tapes, but I don’t think I have heard anything that sounds bad. Of course, there are imperfections because of the conversion process; but, I don’t ever have the feeling that the quality of the musicianship is sub-par. There are other CDs that I hear that have been recorded with the latest technologies and lousy musicians that I wouldn’t possess at any price. The pieces that I have from Jim Jacobi are treasured pieces!
Try to find a copy of this CD if you can. I know a lot of his older stuff is out of print, but it can be found. If all else fails, contact Jim and see if there is any way to get copies. He hasn’t asked for my copies back, but if worse comes to worse, I’ll give mine up if someone can hear it and appreciate it for what it is! Great music from a great musician!"
--Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com, 6/6/03
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The first time I met Jim Jacobi was during the summer of 1999. I was in Lincoln, Nebraska on assignment for Goldmine Magazine, covering a very excellent Rockabilly Weekender at The Zoo Bar. Bobby Lowell introduced Jim to me as the father of Nebraska punk rock. I found myself looking into the eyes of a pretty regular looking guy. In my mind, punk rockers were supposed to look like Johnny Rotten or Joey Ramone. So much for preconceptions.
Jim gave me a fistful of his previous releases, including many of the eleven albums he has recorded with various versions of his band, Crap Detectors, since 1978. I’ve never been a huge punk fan, but the fact is, there were some really good rock and roll songs on those tapes and discs. I would keep an eye on this Jim Jacobi.
A couple of months later, I received the latest disc from Jim, housed in a plastic sleeve with liner notes- no annoying jewel box. Pretty cool. I weeded through a rather large stack of cd’s I was reviewing, and then two months later, finally got to Jim’s album.
Mixing sounds like surf music, heavy metal, country and blues, Jacobi once again manages to outdo himself. The record starts off with "Arm Drop," a really groovy instrumental that blends ‘60’s movie theme music with instrumental rock influences like The Ventures. This ain’t no punk rock, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin’ around. The song that follows is one of the best on the album, "Shit Happens," a rousing rockabilly number wrapped around a bumper sticker slogan. "Predator" has a kind of Black Sabbath meets Lou Reed feel to it, "Chicken Coop" goes at it, balls to the wall, no pun intended, with a beautifully delivered two-minute-twenty-second punk riot about the marvels of masturbation.
"Leav’n You" is a song about a breakup, with equal parts Zappa and Buddy Guy. "Bad Quarterback" is an alt-country romp that will leave you singing "Like a bad quarterback, she threw it all away" all day long. "Breaker" is more of that instrumental rock we spoke of on the set opener, only this time more structured, like Satan’s Pilgrims or Los Straitjackets. This here’s some fine rock and roll, boys and girls. Alice Cooper meets Metallica in "So Little Time," and "Toys" brings to mind early R.E.M., while "Lesbian Lover" is a funky little piece of originality that shows why Jacobi is a respected artist in the mid-West and throughout this great land of ours.
"Brad’s Two Minutes of Miles/Real Wild Thing" is pretty bizarre. Kind of like Miles Davis with a Jack Kerouac narration leading into The Ventures with Gene Simmons on vocals. If that ain’t weird enough for you, maybe you should try playing the cd backwards. When you do, it says "Eat at Chicago Norm’s," "Jim is dead," and "smoke crab grass." The set ends with "Millennium Blues," a rockin’ Y2K song to usher in the 21st century.
Throughout the record, Jacobi is accompanied by an excellent band including Dave Robel on drums, Craig Kingery, Dave Boye, Brad Krieger, and Phil Shoemaker. Recorded at Shithook Studios in Lincoln, the album was produced by Jacobi and Shoemaker.
--Michael B. Smith, Reviewer for Goldmine magazine
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"I've been a fan of Jacobi's music since I first heard 'Very Dangerous Man'. His latest release mixes blues, rock and the psydelic jazz that trademarked his earlier work. Jacobi knows how to turn heartbreak into pure hysteria. Some of his lyrics will make you laugh out loud!"
--Mary McPage, Associate Editor, Musician's Network Internet Magazine
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"Some weird shit with some rippin' guitar playing....It about took my head off."
--Jack Endino (Record Producer), Seattle, WA
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"I like it. I like the fuck outta it! I liked a couple tunes from all your CD's and records but I liked all stuff on the last one (Joe Jakimbi Band)."
--Rockabilly legend Bobby Lowell
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"I like the album and also the people who listen to my program. They ask sometimes for more." --Alex Pijnen, BRTO radio in Holland
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"It ain't old school, it's pre-school." --Dave Robel, Jakimbi drummer
Crap Detectors
"To be a good writer, one must have a built-in, shock-proof crap detector."
--Ernest Hemingway
"This particular release is a good one to have in your collection. Jim’s guitar playing is very consistent, and along with the content of his songs, anchors the sound of his bands through the years. At times, this CD comes off with a New Wave feel, primarily due to the female vocals and the very pop-like sound of some of the songs. I enjoyed hearing it, and I do look forward to hearing other releases from Jim Jacobi! If you haven’t picked up any of his releases yet, shame on you! This is must-hear stuff!" --Mark Lush on Cat Patrol, Midwestbands.com, 6/19/03
"Local punk-distorted-grunge-rock funsters Crap Detectors come out of the garage with 18 tunes guaranteed to liven up any Seattle party. Lyrically on the verge of cornball, songs like "Hot Nuts (Rick the Kingdome Peanut Man)," "I Dream of Jeannie," and "Full Speed Ahead (Have Fun Bein' Stupid)" best exemplify this. But songs like "Dangerous Man" and the Dead Kennedy's-like "C.A.B." will have you chorus screamin' and rockin' kinda intelligently. It's great hearing a local CD made for the hell of having fun rather than for the money, as is apparent in "Pop Band (the Seattle Story)." The trio of vocals by Andrea, Melinda, and Jim give the whole scheme a diverse appeal. Call your friends, break open some brews, and crank out Hidden Agenda for a night of rockin' fun."
--Mike Savoia (Music Critic, The Rocket), of 1995's release Hidden Agenda
"Dirty, crunchy guitars and splattery drums, no histrionics, no bullshit."
--Stephen Fievet, Baby Sue Music Review, Fall 1992 issue (of 1991's Deprogramming Time is Now)
"The best way to describe the sound of this album is 'throw some rockabilly, a touch of 60's garage-punk, a little heavy metal and 80's punk into the studio...give this one 5 stars!!"
--Tripin Thru the Midwest magazine, of 1985's Cut the Crap
"'Mausoleum' has a peculiar appeal, and I also like the labels and back cover."
--Jello Biafra, of 1983's Diseases on Display
"Along the lines of psychotic punk-jazz."
--Bart Becker ('Til the Cows Come Home), of 1981's Expatriots from Reality/Someone's Sick
"The punk side has Jacobi encouraging revolution and the other is a havy electronic drone."
--Option, issue #6, of 1979's Police State
"Jacobi's most commendable virtue is his total disdain for the mass media."
--Blitz! magazine, of 1978's Victims of the Media
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