Love, Hate, and Then There’s You | The Von Bondies
Rating: 3/5 stars For fans of: The Killers, Band of Horses, The New Pornographers Tracks to download: “She’s Dead to Me” and “Accidents Will Happen”
Posted February 11, 2009 at 6:08 pm
It’
s been more than five years since The Von Bondies’ last album and frontman Jason Stollsteimer’s altercation with Jack White of the White Stripes. Stollsteimer, beaten soundly, lost not only a fight but also the respect of the public.
The Von Bondies looked poised to flourish in the limelight after their 2004 album, “Pawn Shoppe Heart,” and its hit song “C’mon, C’mon” (the theme song of TV show “Rescue Me”). But their light faded, and no one expected a fourth album. Had this been 2004, some of these songs may have made it to the top of radio playlists. And it’s a shame because there are some gems within this glossy garage rock album.
The Detroit rockers keep the songs short, with only one song exceeding four minutes. The songs end before the listener can become too tired of them but also before a true connection can be made. The hard-hitting guitar riffs, fast paced drums and lively backup vocals pass by in a blur of energized urgency that would have taken hold had there been any hooks within the song.
Most songs exhibit little exploration in terms of sound and are stereotypical pop. Within this expected fluff, the hidden gems struggle for attention. One song is “She’s Dead to Me.” Although it’s only a minute and a half, it’s rich in its variation, including a wailing Stollsteimer, smooth and at times pulsing guitar riffs, steady drums and complementary ’60s-esque female backup vocals. Its ends in a flourish that leaves the listener wanting more, which probably could and should have been worked out.
Stollsteimer lulls you into “Accidents Will Happen” with his softened voice and intense but endearing lyrics, “She set herself on fire/ I was burned from head to toe/ please don’t tell anybody/ I can’t bear them to know.” He continues these contrasts by intensifying his voice for the chorus and then falling back into lulling tones.
The Von Bondies exude a cool attitude and retro sound but neither is enough to carry an album. “Love, Hate and Then There’s You” is full of expected, built up choruses and unimaginative song structures. The female backup vocals differentiate the album, and the lyrics and Stollsteimer voice are adequate to gain the Von Bondies new fans. But the Von Bondies surviving may be the best part of the album.
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