The Von Bondies
Pawn Shoppe Heart

THE REVIEW

“…and then we’re not a fucking pop band that dresses in white and red.”
In other words: the student has surpassed the master and is also becoming wicked.

Let's be honest, when Jack White produced “Lack Of Communications” for these four youngsters in 2001, who shared his same passion for rock’n’roll, he hoped in his heart that it wouldn't backfire on him, in a game of comparisons. Well, in fact, there is no comparison to be made… because the music of the Von Bondies is something else entirely compared to the dry and rickety four-chord songs played by the White Stripes. Pawn Shoppe Heart confirms everything good that was thought from the Detroit side, at the debut.

Jason Stollsteimer has given a heart and soul to a bomb. Once the fuse of this album is lit, it will be impossible to avoid the damage. What will burst out from the stereo in the form of small sharp and poisonous shards will be grunge references, punk, garage, and if you're lucky, even some groupie (… but it's not guaranteed for everyone).
Anyone who loves Nevermind, Iggy Pop, the music of the Distillers, and so on, must own this album.

The female backing vocals (think of “In Love” by the Datsuns), a bass supercharged as if a gasoline pump had been plugged into the jack input, a drummer who hits like a lightning-fast assassin, give the album what has been lacking in recent albums of this genre. Add to this that, in some parts, the guitar strings seem to be played with a blunt stone instead of a normal plastic pick, and it will not be difficult to imagine the level of rock and adrenaline it generates. Ignore the noise restrictions and blast any track from the album at full volume. Then take a TV set (perhaps, maybe, a pack of cigarettes would be better) and throw it out of the window. But don't say I told you so…