CD Review

It’s been nearly three months since most of America first heard of The Von Bondies, in that now infamous bar fight where the one and only Jack White pummeled lead singer Jason Stollsteimer. Stollsteimer was a bloodied mess and White has now been convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery, but it would be entirely unfair to judge The Von Bondies on a scrapple between Detroit’s rock revivalists. With their major label debut, Pawn Shoppe Heart, The Von Bondies have produced the hard kick to the face, sock to the stomach Stollsteimer needed that night in Detroit, but this time it’s aimed directly at the punk-funk of American garage rock, and boy did it need a beating.

The Von Bondies are the new face of American rock and roll, a two-guy, two-girl quartet that pulls as much from The Doors, as they do from Danzig-era Misfits and even The Go-Go’s. From the opening chainsaw feedback of “No Regrets,” this album attacks with such relentless, unapologetic ferocity, after a single listen, you’ll coming crawling back asking for more. Stollsteimer’s vocals are gutsy and soulful, perfectly complemented by the sexy, feminine harmonies of guitarist Marcie Bolen and bassist Carrie Smith. Songs such as “Crawl Through Darkness,” “The Fever” and “C’mon, C’mon” all feature the band’s heartfelt coed vocals; dismissing the age-old adage that women can’t rock with the big boys. Stollsteimer might be the band’s most visible member, but it’s Smith and Bolen that truly differentiate and elevate the band above the conglomerate of today’s modern rockers.

Pawn Shoppe Heart is a riveting rock album, one that seizes today’s garage rock complacency, stirring the status quo and challenging it to keep pace. Already popular in the UK, The Von Bondies are geared up to prove that they belong among the top echelon of America’s rock elite, and if Pawn Shoppe Heart is any indication, they’re not only there, they’re also leading the way.