Local H - Here Comes The Zoo

Local H consists of two members, so when drummer Joe Daniels left the band it seemed like it could be the end. Fortunately, it turned out to be a complete re-invigoration of the band (or at that point a re-invigoration of guitarist/bassist/vox frontman Scott Lucas). New drummer Brian St. Clair (Triplefastaction, Political Justice) joined the ranks and production on Here Comes The Zoo began. It's obvious from the first track "Hands On The Bible" that the combination of a drummer with a punk background and the slight lack of success for 1998's Pack Up The Cats put the rock back into the band. That's not to say that all the albums have that terrible standard punk beat, or that the band is rehashing old material but they definetly picked up where they left off with As Good As Dead and progressed to a whole new level. Here Comes The Zoo has no evidence of rap rock, or sampling, or drum-machine beats, or anything not having to do with pure rock. The album is filled with hard rock riffs, intricate lead guitar (though not over the top), beating drums, and intense vocals that somehow remain memorable and catchy. Amazingly enough, this album is reminiscent of early to mid 90's alternative rock, but it doesn't feel or sound stale at all. "Hands On The Bible" starts off the album with a build up into a forceful chanting chorus (strings and rock guitar have never sounded better). The album continues in this vein of pure rock up until it's one weak point "Keep Your Girlfriend Away From Me," which is just a bit too much pop and not enough rock. So I've used the word "rock" to describe this album a ridiculous number of times but it's really the only way to sum it up. Local H has always been a rock band, but they hadn't gotten it down quite right until now. As Good As Dead has it's moments of greatness but it also has some moments that are a bit over the top. Pack Up The Cats seemed like the transitional phase of finding out what worked and what didn't, unfortunately a majority of it didn't work. With Here Comes The Zoo, they got it right. The final track "What Would You Have Me Do?" is destined for Rock Epic status. "Rock & Roll Professionals" sums up almost every "hard rock" band on the radio, and "Bryn-Mawr Stomp" is obviously designed to knock a few heads at your local moshpit. Along with the rest of the album, Local H's Here Comes the Zoo will surely be a worthy purchase for any rock fans CD collection and will more than likely remain in your CD player for a few weeks (and always sound good whenever you're in need of a pick me up). [www.localh.com]