Les Thugs - As Happy As Possible (2014)

Not too many bands from the European continent secure release in the U.S., but this French band (who sing in English), who still remind us somewhat of the super heights of '82-'83 Social Distortion, deserve it, and how. Brought to Seattle to be produced by the right man for the job, Kurt Bloch, their latest LP is even better than previous efforts, thanks to better developed chord changes, stronger riffs, more patient vocals by leader Eric, and most of all, that forest-thick twin-guitar attack courtesy of Eric and Thierry via Bloch, which, when piled on top of the expert rhythm section of Pierre Yves on bass and Christophe on drums, makes for the hardest-hitting, most powerful punk attack at slower speeds this side of the more manic Sugar and Moving Targets. The edge on this band's four/four sledgehammer-blow assault booms like a 50 pound weight dropped on your head. The songs are long and full, the tempos vary nicely song to song, the intensity never lets up, and the sweat is palpable. The faster songs such as "Harpo's Theme" and "Pa Pa Pa" don't fare as well, since they don't give the band as much chance to flex their awesome muscle, but even these are catchy and exciting enough. And on the more advanced melodies, such as the title track and the almost bubblegum-ish "Horror Toys," they strike gold. These are the only Thugs you should let in your door.~Review by Jack Rabid