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Street Dogs - State of Grace

Local H

Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles?
2004
Studio E

Local H - Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles? (Cover Artwork)


Review by: KirbyPuckett
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Published on April 6th 2004

It’s late on a Saturday night. You and three of your buddies are hanging out at your friend’s house flipping through the channels. You stumble upon a flick that was filmed before anyone was born, however everyone’s watched it before and it holds a nostalgic value. An actor/actress pops up on the screen and everyone begs the question, “Whatever Happened to…”

The Chicago rockers Local H are asking just that, “Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?” is the title of their sixth record and first release from Studio E Recordings. The name’s not ringing a bell? P.J. Soles was one of the many female stars of the silver screen in the late 70’s and early 80’s appearing in such classics as, “Carrie,” “Halloween,” and “Stripes.”

It’s late on a Saturday night. You and three of your buddies are hanging out at your friend’s house listening to the radio. Familiar lyrics fill the room, “And you just don’t get it / You keep it copasetic / And you learn to accept it / You know it’s so pathetic.” Everyone begs the question, “Whatever happened to Local H?”

The twosome decided to answer that question with a guitar and a set of drums. For those out of the loop, long before the White Stripes struck the modern radio waves there was another rock duo creating tolerable music in the mainstream culture. From the ashes of 90’s Grunge Local H grew into popularity with their hit single “Bound for the Floor.” Since then maybe a few songs by the group graced the ear drums of those who spun their dials onto alternative radio shows, but for the most part the band lost their fame.

We all know that how successful a band is isn’t define by a hit jingle played every night at eight, but what’s wrong with dipping your hand in the honey pot now and then? I feel with this record Local H has the ability to etch them back on modern rock radio. The album’s single “California Songs” displays a sound so reminiscent of what you would have heard on the radio pre-Green Day. Upbeat jams like “Where Are They Now” and “Everyone Alive” might be the kind that restores their high marks with the big guys once again. Fueling the band with the ever-popular Garage Rock sound are “Dick Jones” and “Money on the Dresser,” but they don’t come across as tired or used. If the aggressive “Heavy Metal Bake Sale” doesn’t get you pumped up, then there’s something wrong with you. The fourteen tracks mix well and exhibit a great flow, even the ten minute song, “Buffalo Trace,” is distinctive enough that it won’t phase your attention span.

Is this enough to give the band another gold record? Perhaps, not everything is destined for mainstream success though. This is Local H and this is a Local H record. The group has a distinct rock/grunge/punk sound and if you’ve heard anything from their backlog then you know you’ll be saturating your ears with a rock formula that’s either a hit or a miss. As for those of you who are new, start here, this is their most diverse and finest effort thus far.



People who liked this also liked:
Shinobu - Worstward, Ho!Hank Jones - Saturdays Of ThunderAt The Drive-In - This Station Is Non-OperationalLucero - Nobody's DarlingsVarious - Beyond Warped DVDHeadlights - The EnemiesAnti-Flag - Death Of A Nation DVDVoice In The Wire - Signals In TransmissionThe Matches - Live At The House Of Blues DVDRehasher - Off Key Melodies



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    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 18, 2004 at 11:47 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Sure as hell beats all this cry baby shit nowadays. Damn good band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 6, 2004 at 3:08 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This has to be one of the greatest bands I ever heard in my life, live even better. Great energy.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 1:03 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "the song Fritz's Corner rules"

    Hell yes!

    Posted by TJmoney on 2004-04-11 22:08:12
    My Score:

    the song Fritz's Corner rules

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 12:51 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Bound for the used bin is more like it.

    They did have a couple of alright songs from their earlier lp's, but their last couple have been pretty horrid.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 at 3:05 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    latex generation is horrible. they were on onefoot records i know at one time.

    Posted by rightcliqificus on 2004-04-08 02:57:37
    My Score:

    You also used the word "backlog" incorrectly. I know I'm just picking stuff apart here, but why use it if you don't know the meaning. I'm assuming you meant "back catalog", but i'm beginning to think that you just use rarely used words to sound cool or something.

    Posted by rightcliqificus on 2004-04-08 02:53:39
    My Score:

    You used "begs the question" incorrectly..... and twice. Please don't use a phrase like that unless you can use it correctly. It makes you sound like a douche.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 at 1:00 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    bound to the floor is so badass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 8:14 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    born to be down!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 7:38 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Riff randall rock n roller!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 4:41 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Hmm, Local H. I just don't get it...

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2004-04-07 15:35:25
    My Score:

    Yeah, they're still huuuuuuge in Chicago and the greater state of Illinois. They hit every little crevice of it on their tours, which is nice to see.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 3:28 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Thats chicago though, there arent so many people outside of the windy city that care though. Good for us though, theres nothing like having something that no one appreciates until it kicks them in the balls.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 3:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This band is ROCK. While not as good as here comes the zoo, They are still a million times better than any band that they are usually compared too.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 3:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    that metro show is sold out. apparently people remember this band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 2:41 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "I prefer to the female-fronted version of this band on Thick Records. I cannot remember their name, and they probably aren't all that alike. Uh oh Spaghettio."

    Are you talking about Sullen? If so, they broke up. But that girl sings on Here Comes The Zoo on the song 5th Ave. Crazy.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 1:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Black drummer = Hotness?

    Posted by lieutenant on 2004-04-07 02:46:22
    My Score:

    I prefer to the female-fronted version of this band on Thick Records. I cannot remember their name, and they probably aren't all that alike. Uh oh Spaghettio.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 11:15 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    jack frost was a michael keaton move, not a tim the tool man taylor movie.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 11:03 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    why aren't they on thick?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 6:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah what the fuck PJ soles is riff randal from "Rock n Roll High School", WHAT THE FUCK. Oh yeah she was in jack frost also. the horror one not the tim the tool man taylor one. bitches

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 5:46 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    these guys haven't been as hot since they dropped the black drummer.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 5:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    no matter how popular or unpopular these guys are they'll still be one of my favorite bands

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 4:39 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    There was a 7 inch by latex generation called "whatever happened to p.j soles"....

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 4:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Great CD......this band has been awesome for a long time, PACK UP THE CATS and HERE COMES THE ZOO are their best records.

    Posted by TheNightProwler on 2004-04-06 16:15:26
    My Score:

    I'm not a huge fan of these guys but I'm going to see them this Friday @ The Metro since my buddy had a ticket to spare, hopefully it will be a good show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 4:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    ...and fuck new york too

    Posted by Mr_Pink on 2004-04-06 16:11:23
    My Score:

    PJ Soles = Riff Randall.

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