Local H prides themselves on being noisy. They out-due themselves on Hallelujah! I’m A Bum for their seventh studio album. The blast of the album outdoes any of their other records as a whole, Perhaps singer Scott Lucas has exercised his temptation for quieter music with his band Scott Lucas & The Married Men leaving nothing but a sonic blast for his output with Local H.

Hallelujah! I’m A Bum is an ambitious political record split into a side for the democrats and a side for the republicans. The songs are separated by colors; the blue and the red, just like America. Which side is better isn’t too important because the songs aren’t always exactly clear which color they fit under.

Lucas does blast through vintage sounding Local H rockers like “Cold Manor” “Feed A Fever” and “Here Come Ol’ Laptop” like they are second nature to him. As always Lucas and drummer Brian St. Clair hit the softer side as well with “Sad History” and “Say You Will” while never letting the songs turn into a mope. The album is held together by sounds of Chicago’s Blue Line train and howling dogs to fit along with political dialog.

The standard remains true; Local H is best when they are loud. The songs aren’t very hook-laden on Hallelujah! I’m A Bum but they still stick in your head. The best songs here are the fantastic “Another February” along with “Cold Manor” “They Saved Reagan’s Brain” (all rockers,) the (gulp) country, of “Look Who’s Walking On Four Legs Again” and the soft touch of “Say You Will” that promises to be a concert staple in the future.

Key Tracks: “Cold Manor” “Say You Will” “Another February” “Look Who’s Walking on Four Legs Again”