A New Jersey native, singer-songwriter David Jacobsen recently released his album �Footprints,� a follow up to �Cubicle Wonderland,� which he released in 2003. The 23 tracks on �Footprints� deal with real life social issues like dating (or lack thereof) and love.
Jacobsen’s style is hard to define, but there are definitely strong folk influences in his music.
During his live performances, Jacobsen sings and plays acoustic guitar, but percussion is included on the album.
By Stormy Knight,
Arts and Entertainment Editor
A New Jersey native, singer-songwriter David Jacobsen recently released his album �Footprints,� a follow up to �Cubicle Wonderland,� which he released in 2003. The 23 tracks on �Footprints� deal with real life social issues like dating (or lack thereof) and love.
Jacobsen’s style is hard to define, but there are definitely strong folk influences in his music.
During his live performances, Jacobsen sings and plays acoustic guitar, but percussion is included on the album.
While listening to the music, I started to sense a theatrical influence in the vocals. My ears didn’tfool me, Jacobsen spent time writing musicals after a few years spent at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied bass guitar, composition, and arranging.
His voice is soothing, and some of the songs are spoken, which adds to his unique style and humor.
According to Jacobsen’s biography, he has an excellent understanding of music theory as well as the good sense not to use it.
Well, this also became a little apparent as I listened to �Footprints�; some of his chord progressions are choppy and I didn’tpick up on any hooks.
�Footprints� is definitely an album to listen to when winding down from a hard day at work, or when your significant other just won’tget off your back.
The songs are easy to relate to; one of my favorites, �Batteries,� tells the tale of a lonely guy at a bar, desperately trying every cliche pick-up line on a girl who responds with, �I�d rather stay home with my batteries.�
There are more sentimental songs on the albums as well, such as �Sorry� and �Postcard.�
The albums I receive are always listened to in their entirety, and I didn’thear one song on �Footprints� that stuck with me. I didn’tfind myself separated from the headphones, but still singing aloud.
The tracks did make me tap my foot and laugh, and they undoubtedly brightened my mood.
My honest first opinion of Jacobsen when I pushed play – he sounded like the men who stood on the street playing the lute during the Elizabethan era; I could just picture Shakespeare sitting next to him writing a sonnet.
Jacobsen has recorded 10 albums during the past 10 years, and owns a production company and recording label, Zbokth Records. His inspirations include Bob Dylan, Randy Newman and progressive bands such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Yes.
You can check out his Web site at www.davidwj.com.
Overall, I give �Footprints� a C+.
The songs were original and humorous, but failed to make me sing in the shower.
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