AMG Review of Outdebox

Robert Gabriel
All Music Guide

Soulhat made a name for itself in the early '90s by playing weekly gigs at ~the Black Cat Lounge on Sixth Street in Austin, TX. Outdebox, their debut studio release, makes for a fine representation of those smoky, beer-drenched nights. In the tradition of Austin legend Stevie Ray Vaughan, Soulhat livens up the blues into a rock & roll frenzy. Songs such as "Big Backyard," "Stink Pot," and "Build It up, Tear It Down" highlight the exceptional songwriting abilities of Kevin McKinney and Bill Cassis as extended studies in emotional release. Even with sappy folk-rock themes explored on tracks including "Brian Waltz" and "Here," Soulhat, aided by the presence of seasoned drummer Barry "Frosty" Smith, still manages to bridge the gap between hokey and funky with extraordinary ease.