The Von Bondies - Pawn Shoppe Heart

Well here it is, another hot band for 2004, making their first album on a major label after the Jack White produced debut LP ‘Lack of Communication’, which brought them to the attention of the record buying public. There’s clearly something in the water in Detroit if they keep producing acts like this. So take a gander at the shelves of your local music emporium for The Von Bondies’ ‘Pawn Shoppe Heart’ because crikey it’s a corker. If this was an ice-cream flavour it would be raspberry ripple.

The opening track ‘No Regrets’ sets the standard beautifully with its chugging blues stomp and Stollsteimer giving his best impression of Elvis Presley with a hangover whilst announcing ‘you haven’t really lived life yet’, and you can’t help but believe him. Top Stuff. The recent single ‘C’mon C’mon’ lurks early in the album to catch you unawares with its horrifically catchy vocal hooks and bouncy style. Bassist Carrie Smith even gets a chance to croon her syrupy vocals on ‘Not That Social’, and a solo that sounds like the Kings of Leon even raises its head in the short but punchy ‘Tell Me What You See’.

In fact the majority of the album sounds like if it was made by the Kings of Leon. If they were from Detroit. And two were female. But that can never be a bad thing right?