In an attempt to be the next hot thing from Detroit, The Von Bondies have released “Pawn Shoppe Heart.” And although the band has little in common with the city’s most infamous musician, Eminem, The Von Bondies are closely linked to another Detroit group, The White Stripes.
Jack White helped produce the band’s first album, “Lack of Communication,” and last December, White attacked Von Bondies frontman Jason Stollsteimer. The incident resulted in White pleading guilty to assault and battery charges.
The Von Bondies also have a similar rock ‘n’ roll sound to The White Stripes, without the bluesy inspiration. “Pawn Shoppe Heart” reeks of T. Rex and Radio Birdman, which leaves it sounding like a less charming relative of The Strokes. The album, which is the band’s first major label release, sounds like The New York Dolls meets Sleater-Kinney, minus the social commentary and authenticity.
Besides Stollsteimer, the band also is comprised of Marcie Bolen on guitar, Don Blum on drums and Carrie Smith on bass. All members contribute vocals.
The lyrics are often dull and derivative. The song “Broken Man” is reminiscent of the poetry a ninth-grader would write. Stollsteimer sings “I’m a broken man/This here’s my broken band/From a broken land/We take the good with the bad/Yeah.”
The most annoying song is “Right of Way.” The track begins with Stollsteimer whining (over a bassline) that, “These feelings I have can’t be wrong/The signs say I’ve got the right of way.” At this point, a sort of surf guitar noodling is added while Stollsteimer continues, “Self-destruction is my destination/This is how it pains my days,” and then finishes with the same blandness.
Which isn’t to say the album doesn’t have its moments. Tracks like “No Regrets,” “Not That Social” and especially “C’mon C’mon” are full of energy and swagger. Considering most of the members have been playing music for less than five years, they’re a tight band with decent musicianship. However, the talent the band does display is thinly spread across the album’s 12 tracks.
Like the countless other bands being hailed as the return of rock ‘n’ roll, The Von Bondies best serve as a persuasive argument for dusting off those albums from the 1970s by groups like Television and Suicide. Those contemplating purchasing “Pawn Shoppe Heart” should skip it and pick up a copy of “Electric Warrior” instead.