Whisperin and Hollerin: 9 Stars!
European blog Whisperin and Hollerin gives Thugs and China Dolls 9 stars (out of a possible 10):
Something of Dukes’ offbeat observations are in the same territory as David Byrne and there are also traces of the literate evasiveness of Michael Stipe and REM. Overall, this is a great leap forward from Dare Dukes’ equally fine debut album enhanced by lively and inventive musical arrangements.