Pawn Shoppe Heart

The Von Bondies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sire / London/Rhino
• ASIN: B0001BRONE
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,692 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Garage Punk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Detroit's Von Bondies may never be able to successfully disentangle themselves from the shadow of the White Stripes, not so much because Jack White produced the band's first album and took them around the world, but because the punch-up between the two groups' front men is destined to go down as one of the most infamous moments in the annals of rock 'n' roll. At least the Von Bondies attempt to move on with their sophomore release, Pawn Shoppe Heart, shedding the makeshift garage-punk sound of their hometown and recruiting former Modern Lover and Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison as producer. The results are staggering, with tracks like "C'mon, C'mon" and "No Regrets" bouncing on big glam riffs and bruised blues wailing, while the band breaks through the door sounding at once shameless and victorious. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

The Von Bondies blend raw garage, punk and true soul into one sonic whole with the release of their third album "Pawn Shoppe Heart". Produced by Jerry Harrison (best known for his work with Talking Heads and Modern Lovers), "Pawn Shoppe Heart" rattles through a number of highlights including the exhilarating rush of "Broken Man", the fiery first single "C'mon 'C'mon" and the soulful dual-vocal rock 'n' roll of "The Fever". Essentially The Von Bondies blend the best elements of music from the sixties onwards with an uncompromising and electrifying delivery of raw power.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars.... Surely one of the best albums of 2004, May 29, 2004

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pawn Shoppe Heart (Audio CD)

The Von Bondies found themselves some notoriety when frontman Jason Stollsteimer got suckerpunched (literally) last Fall by The White Stripes' Jack White, who incidentally produced the Bondies' debut album "Lack of Communication" in 2001. I hope that will not distract attention from the Bondies' excellent second album.

"Pawn Shoppe Heart" (12 tracks, plus "hidden" track, 40 min.) is nothing short of brilliant. The opening track "No Regrets" shows the way, rocking all out, as does "Broken Man". "C'mon C'mon" is the irresistable single, just brilliant. Other standout tracks include "Not That Social", with Carrie on lead vocals. "Mairead" and "Right of Way" shows the bluesy side of the band, reminding me of Led Zep's hard blues songs. Don't miss the "hidden" track, the cover "Try a Little Tenderness", showing up some 3 min. after the last song, it just thunders!

This surely is one of the best albums of 2004 so far! And if you have a chance to see the Bondies live, don't miss them! I caught them on their current tour, and they raised the roof, playing many of the "Pawn" tracks but also throwing in some nuggets from their debut album. A terrific show, period.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Meg White sure can't drum this well..., March 17, 2004

By 

Willie D - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pawn Shoppe Heart (Audio CD)

While not a fan of over-produced sounds, I do find it nice to hear "garage rock" that doesn't sound like it was recorded with a Fischer Price cassete player. A little bottom end never hurt anyone.

The reviewer who said this is what the White Stripes would sound like with a rythym section was right on. What a difference it makes indeed. None of the compositions on Pawn Shoppe Heart are particularly inspired but the band's energy and sound manage to elevate this record above the sum of its parts. Stollmeier's rejection of traditional verses and choruses also keeps the songs more refreshing than they would be otherwise.

Unfortunately sheer exuberance will only get you so far and when the band slows tempo, the simplicty of the songs and lyrics become more apparent and my interest starts to wane.

That said, the Von Bondies best moments, like: Cmon Cmon, No regrets and The fever are among the more exciting sounds so far this year so I can't help but reccomend this album.

3.5 stars

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definition of Detroit, March 30, 2005

By 

Nicholas Gordon (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pawn Shoppe Heart (Audio CD)

The Von Bondies have helped to bring back Detroit as a hub for great music. With their sophomore album, "Pawn Shoppe Heart," they have created a blues/garage rock masterpiece. Tracks like "Broken Man" and "Not That Social" are exactly what true garage rock is supposed to be, while "Been Swank" and "Right of Way" are amazing blues numbers, evocative of what the original Detroit sound was all about.

Lead singer Jason Stollmeister is a genius at the guitar, and the rest of the band also excel. Stollmeister's husky voice is perfect for the songs he writes--at some points in the slower blues songs he almost seems to be crying as he sings... that's how much emotion his voice conveys.

The album's first single, "C'mon C'mon" as well as "The Fever" are the standout tracks here, but there are no bad songs on the record.