Customer Reviews

Ham Fisted

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

All 12 of the songs here are probably the 12 most underrated songs around. Local H's semi-popular release, As Good As Dead (thanks to "Bound For The Floor"), is what got this band going, but Ham Fisted stands as an excellent debut. Coming only years after Kurt Cobain's death and the fallout of Nirvana, many people were quick to label the H's music as `grunge'. And if that label fits any of their CDs, it fits this one. But this 2-member group brings their own cynical, smart sound to the table. Although this release may not be as good as their next three, this is still an exceptional album. Besides, it's good to see a band progress in their career rather than regress. It's so sad to see good bands come out with great debuts and then disappear gradually with latter releases. Since you probably know nothing about these tracks, here's a short overview:

1. Feed -- This is a simplistic song, lyrically, yet it really gets you pumped for the rest of the CD. The line `I don't need my ego fed / I just wanna feel I can trust' is repeated over and over. But it never becomes bothersome. Even though it doesn't rank in the top five on the album, it's acts as a delicious appetizer.

2. Cynic -- I think the title kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it? This track is a real change of pace from the first, and really shows the lyrical talents of Scott Lucas. It's a truly inspired song; and will easily become a favorite.

3. Mayonnaise And Malaise -- I suppose you could consider this one a single. The sound is more well-rounded than the previous two, which is probably why it stands out so much. This is my favorite song on the CD; and that also goes for a lot of other Local H fans.

4. User -- There's no question this is one of the coolest songs on Ham Fisted. It's also my second favorite. The irony that Scott brings to the song and it's crude edginess allow it to be so great. It makes my top 10 list of Local H songs as well (it'd be at about #9).

5. Manipulator -- This one is very similar to "Feed". The lyrics are short-lived, but still not weak. The manipulative lyric `I never said no / I never said I wouldn't lie to you' probably makes this my third favorite. I have never found a better song with so few words.

6. Bag Of Hammers -- It may take you a while to come to like this track; as that's how it went for me. The lyrics aren't as catchy as the others, but they're great nonetheless. Also, the CD cover features a bag of hammers. Go Figure.

7. Scott-Rock -- This song could've been a single; as it's rather user friendly. Its lyrics are very good, and a bit more personal than the previous` are. It's very easy to enjoy it; hence it is one of the best on the album.

8. Sports Bar -- Again, Local H uses some great emotion and suspicious lyrics. The song is over five and a half minutes and carries itself on and on. The stellar line `they're ripping my favorite song' always brings out a laugh; as it's both amusing and intelligent at the same time. It's most likely the fourth best track.

9. Chicago Fanphair `93 -- I have to say this is the weakest song on Ham Fisted. The opening music/lyrics don't really mix... pleasingly... but once it slows down for the chorus it becomes more enjoyable. The song's not horrible, but it's not great either.

10. Strict-9 -- `You're not asking questions / that I don't have answers for' is how this song starts. It really makes you think; and you have just over six minutes to do so. As with "Bag Of Hammers", this one has grown on me over time. I like it, but others may not.

11. Skid Marks -- I never really liked this song. Until I heard it live. If you think it's annoying (you may not understand the words), just listen to its sound. The numerous, subdued screams of `no! no! no! no!...' are awesome and, in the end, quite witty. This is certainly a hidden gem within the H-song library.

12. Grrrlfriend -- Up till now, Ham Fisted lacked a slow, melodic song. But with this lasting, epic masterpiece the album is complete. Even though it's only 1:27 long, it's easily one of my favorites. It's a drum-less piece; and again could be considered a hidden gem.

If you are one of those people who know Local H as the [infamous] `copasetic guys', this is a great chance to get to know them better (also get PUTC and HCTZ). As I've noted, this is not Local H's best album. But on my listmania list for the best all-time albums, Ham Fisted rests nicely at around #18 or so. The whole album is well-formed, pleasing, and near perfect. 11 of these 12 tracks are excellent; and even the one that's not is still good. Scott Lucas and drummer Joe Daniels really started something special with this unheard-of CD. If you like rock music, you'll love this album. And if you like Nirvana, you'll love this band. Don't overlook this.

local h's first cd is by no way short of the quality of pack up the cats or as good as dead. the best song by no doubt is manipulator. if youre scared to get this cd because of its obscurity and it being the bands first effort, dont be.

This is Local H's heaviest album. These guys rock

And it got me thinking about this album. Now, I have always liked Local H...they seemed to be strictly grunge at the start, but have blossomed into something really great to experience. Of course the most mainstream these two artists have ever gotten is "Bound for the Floor" (which is a great song for the grunge crowd), but this album right here is probably my second favorite out of the bunch. Why? It shows the bands roots quite well, something that you can see in each and every album, and shows alot where that mainstream song came from.

Of course they could never top Nirvana for the grunge crown, but in all honesty they are number 2 simply because the progress in their sound after this album. It's sad though that they aren't recognized as such...grunge could have definitely gone a much longer way!

But this album is the roots, and as such it is heavier rooted in the grunge scene at that time. It has alot of seemingly Nirvana-esque ripoffs, but if you are a big fan of the bands later albums and realize they bring something different to the table, you will enjoy this album nevertheless, only to witness geniuses on "warm up".

For Prime Local H though, I would definitely recommend Pack up the Cats over this one. Still, this is a great album and shouldn't be missed.

Words can't explain how I feel about this album. This is tied with Siamese Dream as my favorite album. But Ham Fisted is meatier and more muscular. I think they're underated because people seem to write them off as minions of Nirvana. Yes they get their influence from Nirvana but they have their own sound (completely their own). Feed starts it all of with a bombast of drums and yells. Scott really let's all his emotion out on this one. Cynic starts to get the vibe more refined, (but the guitars are still throbbing). This song has alot of feed back which I like and lays it all out on the table for you to take or leave. Mayonnaise and Malaise is the reason I bought this album and was all I needed to hear. While all the guitars are blaring, the melody in this song coasts you up and down like a rollercoaster. The beginning drum rolls of User tells you that this song is going to rock the way it wants to, period...and it does. The drum beats though out are very very good. Manipulator is a strange one at first, but is still very much consistant with the rest of the album. It's a sly rocker and will grow on you after repeated listens. Bag of Hammers is another one Scott lets loose on. The melody on this on is unbeleivable! Scott Rock is a very sweet ballad with grungy guitars. Sports Bar is more introspective but rocks especially toward the end. Chicao Fanphair has the best melody in the whole album. I like the way he takes the chorus and rocks it towards the end while keeping the same melody, (the Smashing Pumpkins use that formula alot). You would think the intensity would wan by now but it doen't and the spiteful Strict-9 proves it. It's kind of slow but the guitars are still way solid. Skid Marks is the hardest rocking one but ironically my least favorite, (get ALL your aggression out with that one). Grrrlfriend is the quietest song but oddly at the same time one of the grungiest. It has a quiet beauty to it. Boy, the grunge era has the best music!!!! (Sorry I didn't mean to use the "G" word).

This is the H's heaviest album yet. Much different that Pack up the Cats or Good as dead but stick to ya the same way

I started listening to Local H with "as good as dead" cause I loved the grungy guitars. I got this cd on [line] and I loved it!!! My second favorite album by them! Since it's their first release, it's a bit under-produced (which makes it sound rough, but that's not a bad thing here.) and overall "untouched by fame" sound, y'know what I mean? It's like nirvana (and he actually sounds alot like kurt) without the pop-esque element ... That comes through a bit in "Pack up the cats". Overall "ham fisted" definately lives up to the rock in grunge/punk rock. Absolutely awesome, a must have for any rocker!

for me, the highlights are tracks 2 & 4 are awesome (especially with the screaming noises in the bridge) and the last track is also a very lyrically honest acoustic number.

Holy cow. I was blown away. I didn't know much about these guys and heard a few of their songs on the radio, so took the chance on this album. A TRUE gem. Get this for your rock collection - you will not be disappointed.

Call yourself a rock fan? You had better have this gem in your collection. Check it out above and then put it in your shopping cart and buy it. You won't be disappointed. Standout tracks : "Manipulator" "Chicago FanPhair", and my fave, "User"

Put this CD in your system and turn it up loud. Local H is a true heavy alternative band, with emphasis on heavy. And you won't believe that this band consists of only 2 people! If you like Silverchair, Helmet, Nirvana, or Bush, Local H is for you. And check out their other 2 CDs, As Good As Dead and Pack Up The Cats.