The sunny OC has produced more than its fair share of quality hard rock, including Social Distortion, the Offspring, Lit, and Thrill Deluxe. Maybe you’ve only heard of the first three bands, but Thrill Deluxe belongs right up there with them; they’re just as hard (often harder) with the rocking, with a healthy bit of soul thrown in thanks to the heartfelt, powerful vocals of front man/guitarist Harlis Sweetwater. Ably and heavily backed by Larry Chronic, Jr.’s R&B tinged bass and the driving beats of drummer Joe Sykes, their self-titled second album features 13 tight, aggressive songs that will likely leave the listener nursing a sore neck and headache from the involuntary head banging that should result. That’s right; there’s no shame. Go ahead and just head bang when listening to this kind of rock.

Though emo, electronica, and rap have filtered into most rock music, Thrill Deluxe eschews all of that for straight ahead rocking and rolling on this album (aside from an effective bit of rap courtesy of guest artist Warbux on the party song “Let The Music Roll On”). Tracks like “Beautiful Still” prove that the band has heart, with Harlis belting out lyrics like “You’re wilted, but I love you still” without a hint of irony. They don’t hide behind it or any electronic tricks or sardonic wordplay. Their hearts are right on their sleeves, above the tattoos, and no apologies need be made.

With a classic rock three-piece of guitar, bass, and drums, everything’s out there for the listener to hear, so the band needs musical chops. Previous bands and frequent shows have really allowed the fellas in Thrill Deluxe to hone their musicianship, and it’s all on display all over the album. That is to say, these guys really know how to play. Unabashed guitar solos, like the clever one on track five, “Say It” or the rock ‘n roll lifestyle celebration showmanship of “That Bitch” (used as a compliment) really drive home the feeling that these guys are here to rock because they love it. And that love for old school pounding beats, thumping bass, and crunching guitars is infectious.

Again, though, what really impresses, on both the CD and their live shows, is the truly solid musicianship. While some bands do quite well keeping everything as simply and barebones a possible, Thrill Deluxe really embraces the showmanship of rock that occasionally harkens back to the likes of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin and some 80s rock bands like Whitesnake or Def Leppard (without the occasional cheese), not shying away from showing off on the solos once in a while, really celebrating the fun and craft of hard rock. They have a sound that’s all theirs, but fans of all the aforementioned bands, not to mention the likes of newer outfits Audioslave or Velvet Revolver, should really enjoy Thrill Deluxe. The self-titled album, as well as their first effort, Life, Religion & Love and their EP Five Naked Melodies, are all available via their website. If this review doesn’t convince you to give them a shot, the site offers some listening samples so that you can make up your own mind. Songs are also available via the band’s MySpace page.