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Pawn Shoppe Heart Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: The Detroit garage rockers make their major-label debut with this sophomore album, which was produced by Jerry Harrison.

Top Track

Maireed
Oh, Mairead Your love is beyond compare You have streaks of ivory hair Two lips I wouldn't dare - Oh, Mairead Sweet, sweet Mairead Love of my life,... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Spin
    100
    The Von Bondies' calling card is the urgency of [Jason] Stollsteimer's voice as it sands down the shop-worn chord progressions. [Mar 2004, p.92]
  2. Pawn Shoppe Heart is the most electrifying album to have trawled its way out of the Detroit gutter in ages, effortlessly showing up [The White Stripes'] White Blood Cells in the process.
  3. Uncut
    80
    Where on 2001's Lack of Communication their cranked-up Stoogeisms were adorably desperate, here they're glibly glamorous, energised by a Pixies-like concision. [Mar 2004, p.87]
  4. Pawn Shoppe Heart is a pretty kick-ass rock n’roll record.
  5. Swathed from head to toe in ecstatic fuzz.
  6. The four Von Bondies remain terrific players, and Stollsteimer's sustained indignation is always good for a laugh. But at times, the calculated nature of it all is distracting, and you long for the harebrained rawness which made "Lack Of Communication" the best record (besides those by The White Stripes) that the Detroit revival has produced.
  7. The A.V. Club
    60
    Occasionally catchy and exciting. [17 Mar 2004]

See all 25 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. markf
    Mar 12, 2004
    9
    Alright, so the album starts out with a slowed-down nod to "Immigrant Song." These two guys/two gals may not be in The White Stripes' Alright, so the album starts out with a slowed-down nod to "Immigrant Song." These two guys/two gals may not be in The White Stripes' league yet, and they might be semi-responsible for Jack White's conviction for assault, but this album is a pure rush of rock and roll. It sounds like a collection of old Standells/ Kinks/ T. Rex hidden treasures brought slightly up to date by doing everything the 60's bands would have done twice as much. Occasionally, the male lead singer sounds like he's as possessed as Roky Erickson. The female lead/ backing vocals are another welcome addition (especially if you can remember The Pandoras, r.i.p.) There isn't much original here, but it sure as hell is entertaining. Expand
  2. leighw
    Sep 6, 2004
    9
    kicks the ass out of rock n roll blues.
  3. missgolightly
    Apr 17, 2004
    9
    I don't know how Stollsteimer pulled this one out the bag, but it must have been a tight squeeze because this album is huge. As I don't know how Stollsteimer pulled this one out the bag, but it must have been a tight squeeze because this album is huge. As rifftastic, if not more so than Lack Of Communication, the production (sorry Mr. White)far exceeds the debut, and shows they can outshine any other detroit darlings. If you haven't seen this band live by now you've missed out. Expand
  4. franzferdinand
    May 1, 2004
    9
    great great great ! i love both the white stripes and the von bondies. i don't think they're music is similar. i just think that great great great ! i love both the white stripes and the von bondies. i don't think they're music is similar. i just think that the both two bands rock like noone else in the world. that's what i like. highlights: broken man, c'mon c'mon, the fever, posion ivy, try little tenderness (hidden track). anyways the album is incredible... Expand
  5. SnakeyesD
    Mar 19, 2004
    8
    Overall its a very entertaining disc, carrying the listener along with flair and while the songs seem for the most part a little more shallow Overall its a very entertaining disc, carrying the listener along with flair and while the songs seem for the most part a little more shallow and less honest than those on Lack of Communication, the have a polished luster that can't be ignored. Expand