The Jacob Conspiracy

Although they always got a lot of attention from the media and civilians alike, I never counted myself among the fans of Blue Shade. Their take on blues was just too conservative for me, so I wasn’t really thrilled when I heard that two members of that currently not too active band formed a new one called The Jacob Conspiracy with Lincoln Hawk bass player Raph and former Couchgrass drummer Dirk as their rhythm section.

One thing’s for sure though: their debut EP, although featuring still some marginal blues elements, heads into a much earthier direction, as can be heard on the catchy opener No Reason, which is followed by the equally straightforward Cigarette & A Drink which comes with nice organ sounds. The last two tracks are more indebted to their blues past. Devil’s Smile is a crunchy alternative blues rocker. Some would call this stoner light. The concluding Turn The Page is a short, moody ballad with warm guitars and an emotional vocal line.

This is not bad for a debut. The vocals could sound grittier for my taste, but otherwise The Jacob Conspiracy do everything right. The production, courtesy of Charles Manson Stoltz, is flawless and highlights the American tinged alternative rock sound the band must have been aiming for. The songs are all between three and four minutes long, never getting lost in tiresome doodling. Although at times they remind me somewhat of local alternative rockers Holy National Victims, it might be fairer that this is what music sounds like when they emotional depth of Blue Shade meets the dirty fingernails of Lincoln Hawk. More original than Blue Shade, less unrestrained than Lincoln Hawk, this quartet might actually find a large target audience with their appealing rock sound. It’s also a good idea that they decided to start their recording career with a short EP, because this prevents them from straining their listeners too much, and leaves them, hopefully, wanting more. - www.disagreement.net

““The Jacob Conspiracy” deliver a high-end mix of Rock and Pop music staying true to their bluesy roots. Don’t miss it!”

- RTL Radio Luxembourg
(Wednesday 21st Octobre 2009)
- RTL Radio Luxembourg

“This Demo CD by the new-formed band “The Jacob Conspiracy” shows that Luxembourgish Rock music has not gone down the drain! Keep your eyes and ears open for them!”

- Radio ARA Luxembourg
(Monday 19th Octobre 2009)
- Radio ARA Luxembourg

“Very refreshing tunes coming from Luxembourg these days!”

- Radio RFB Belgium
(Friday 16th Octobre 2009)
- Radio RFB Belgium

http://www.lessentiel.lu/rechercher/story/17782768 - L'Essentiel

http://www.lessentiel.lu/rechercher/story/24106961 - L'Essentiel

“This four piece rock band from Luxembourg has really caught on to something! Their sound is subtle enough to creep into your day without you noticing and then....BAM! You're "singing it again" as the song "Cigarette and a Drink" so eloquently puts it! They had me hook, line, and sinker with the transitions of the first song alone, "No Reason". I can see TJC doing some big things in the future if they keep making music like this. I have yet to see a live performance, but if they are half as good as they are on this demo, I can see it being one big sing along and a whole bunch of fun! Keep an eye out for these guys and make sure to bring your lighter, their melodies are perfect for holding your lighter up in the air and to sway back and forth. Throughout the demo you can pick up on influences from classic rock bands such as Zep, and Jimi, but also you can hear influences from more modern rock like the Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, and Jet. Let me put it simply: If you like good music, then you'll like The Jacob Conspiracy.”

- Mitch Johnson, “The native train wreck”
(Friday 27th November 2009)
- Mitch Johnson