MCR ALBUM REVIEW: The Von Bondies

There are a couple common topics that continue to arise in thinking about the new Von Bondies’ album Pawn Shoppe Heart. The first and foremost of these is the production. For those that have heard the Von Bondies’ previous album Lack of Communication, there is quite a surprise in store with the first spin of the band’s debut major label effort. The dirty, nitty-gritty and bluesy garage sound that permeated Lack of Communication is lurking around in spirit, but the album is crisp and clean from start to finish. Vocals are clear, never muddy and balanced with clockwork precision.

How do people in Detroit Garage Rock City feel about this phenomenon? The sentiments are as varied as the ice cream selections at Ben & Jerry’s. Detroiters love the messy garage rock sound that bursts from the seams of Jim Diamond’s Ghetto Recorders. Still, it is intriguing to hear a Detroit band release a record with gleaming, crisp production. There is the possibility that everyone in town has secretly wondered what that would sound like. For the most part, it sounds pretty good. For the first time, it truly pulls the Detroit sound out of the garage and aligns it closer to the sound that mainstream America is used to hearing on the radio. While Pawn Shoppe Heart doesn’t have the Raw Power and energy of Lack of Communication, it is most certainly an enjoyable listen.

Particularly enjoyable is the single “C’mon C’mon.” The opening riff provides an outstanding hook and the tune is undeniably catchy. Produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and Modern Lovers fame, this track satisfies the desire to hear a Detroit band with clean, big budget production. If this production experiment could be continued, it would be fascinating to hear what Harrison would do with some other Detroit acts like The Go.

The use of the girls' vocals on several tracks is a welcome addition to the VB's sound. The call and response in "C'mon C'mon" breaks up Jason's howling vocals and adds a fun boy/girl playfulness. One of the catchiest tunes on the album "Not That Social", is sung by Carrie Smith - who surprises us with her appropriately timid, but endearing voice.

Though the Von Bondies have attempted to distance themselves from Detroit and have stated that the city has shown them a tough time, they offer the track "Been Swank" as a salute to the Soledad Brothers' Ben Swank. It's an interesting tribute, but in terms of guitar riffs and chord structure it might be more fittingly called a salute to the song "It Came From Japan" from the Von Bondies' previous album.

Does Pawn Shoppe Heart have the originality and artistry of other recent major label releases from the Motor City such as The Eminem Show, Elephant or Devil Without a Cause? That would be a tough argument to make. All in all, however, Pawn Shoppe Heart is an enjoyable listen and certainly one of the better things that can be found on mainstream radio today. -- Ryan Sult