Love Hate and Then There's You

The Von Bondies celebrate 9 years of existence

The American band The Von Bondies has been playing alternative rock since late 1990s its name and line-up being changed several times and today it includes vocalist and guitarist Jason Stollsteimer, bassist and vocalist Leann Banks, guitarist and vocalist Christy Hunt and drummer Don Blum. The real fame came to the musicians in 2000 after one performance on which the owner of Sympathy for the Record Industry label noticed them. It was the label that released the band’s 2001’s debut album Lack Of Communication recorded in the unprecedented short time, three days. Yet the sophomore effort Pawn Shoppe Heart has proved to be a real breakthrough after which everyone around America and Europe knew about this constantly touring band. This year marking the nine years of the band’s existence the musicians release their third record Love, Hate And Then There's You, preceded by the single Pale Bride. The new album was produced by the front man Jason Stollsteimer and also Butch Walker who had worked with Hot Hot Heat and The Donnas, and Rick Parker.

The band’s two different sides on Love Hate And Then There’s You

The album Love, Hate And Then There's You consists of 12 tracks and can be conventionally divided into two parts: in the first one The Von Bondies offer some dark, aggressive and powerful pieces while the second one demonstrates the band’s more cheerful side. The album opens with a stadium perfect composition This Is Our Perfect Crime with unimaginable guitar hooks, crazy drums and great harmonies of male and female vocals. Ironically hostile song Shut Your Mouth is a bit reminiscent of early Depeche Mode while the single Pale Bride does not only please with the memorable tune especially on a sing-along chorus but also the guitarist’s faultless work. The most easy-going, vivid and boldest in the album’s first half is the song 21st Birthday, here the guitarists, drummer and vocalists also do not disappoint and the rebuff She's Dead To Me is sure to linger in your mind for quite some time. Another highlight is the songs with which the record’s second half begins, Chancer – one can find contagious guitars, some less restrained vocals and more humorous lyrics on it. The track Accidents Will Happen built on the verses-chorus contrast proves to be one of the most complicated in the respect of tune and changeable tempo, and the song Earthquake is good with its romantic atmosphere. The album closes with Modern Saints, a catchy, heavy and desperately bold composition about modern world.

The most contagious and eclectic album

Before releasing the album Love, Hate And Then There's You, The Von Bondies was famous for its single C'mon C'mon from the second album. Everything was fine about that song but the main was the unforgettable incendiary mood that the musicians had previously managed to create on stage only. It has been their long time dream to render all the live performance’s drive to the recording studio and they remained satisfied with the second record but still something was missing. The Von Bondies got to working on the third album with the same thoughts and judging by all this time it has managed to find the missing component and finally has made the longed for cocktail tasting which you are sure to feel the exciting flavor of reality. No doubt Love, Hate And Then There's You has resulted to be not only full of colors and moods but also the most energetic of the band’s works. Of course a more careful listening will reveal that the songs’ texts are positively more interesting, the rhymes are more unexpected and the themes are more topical than ever but what is certain is that until now The Von Bondies has definitely not released such a contagious and eclectic album.