Pawn Shoppe Heart
Pawn Shoppe Heart gives the Von Bondies a clear sound without smoothing away their force. Guitars and drums come firmly forward, but Jason Stollsteimer's deep voice has space of its own. That makes the songs easier to follow than a dense wall of garage noise. The band preserve their aggressive side and use the improved finish to deliver it more convincingly.
No Regrets begins with a thick guitar movement and a stomping rhythm. Its movement suggests glam rock, although the performance remains rough enough to avoid becoming a tidy style exercise. This is a strong opening that immediately establishes the balance between melody and attack. Its directness helps the main ideas register quickly.
C'mon C'mon brings those elements together best. Rapid shifts in force and answering voices give a short song plenty of movement. Its chorus sticks easily without requiring guitars to lose their sharpness. The simplicity becomes a strength, allowing the different parts to work towards the same immediate impact.
Not That Social gives Carrie Smith the lead and lets another voice change the band's character. The Fever also benefits from the contrast between singers. Mairead instead takes more time, letting Stollsteimer's full delivery work above slower, reverberating blues surroundings. Songs need not share one speed to make an impression. The voices give the familiar instruments additional possibilities.
The record does not maintain its strongest single's level throughout. Melodies become less effective when the band remain longer within their darker blues side. Mairead could be shorter too. Yet Pawn Shoppe Heart offers more than one striking song. Vocal interplay, firm drumming and recognisable riffs provide enough character. This is uneven music whose strongest moments show how powerful that combination can be.
