More pop...Fewer tormented psycho vocals...
DigitHead | NY | 02/05/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Like many people I was first introduced to The Von Bondies through the FX television show Rescue Me. C'mon C'mon is used as the theme song. I purchased the CD, Pawn Shoppe Heart and was blown away. C'mon C'mon was one of the very few popish songs on it. The CD was filled with vocals that were borderline psychotic and I loved it. Love, Hate and Then There's You, has reversed the trend. Gone are the twisted screams and warped vocals. There is a sameness throughout Love, Hate and Then There's You. The bright spot for me being Only To Haunt You. It sticks out from the crowd although it still lacks the intensity of much of the Pawn Shoppe Heart CD. I fully understand that musicians change as they age and must freshen up their sound to survive but I still miss the insanity."
Best so far
jump jump | 02/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Easily the best written von bondies record to date. And though the sound has changed since their first album 8 years ago, the emotion and energy is still very much alive.
Stand out tracks are "accidents will happen", "she's dead to me" and "pale bride"
If your a rock/pop fan then this album is for you."
Party like it's 2004!
Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 03/01/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Von Bondies really broke wide open with their second album, 2004's "Pawn Shoppe Heart", one of the best albums for me that year (it made my top 3 of the best of that year), which contained one of the best singles of this decade, bar none, the ultra-catchy "C'mon C'mon". The band toured widely on that album, and then.... nothing, for years. The band went through several line-up changes, although core-members lead singer/guitarist Jason Stollsteimer and drummer Don Blum always remained. Now finally comes the new album.
"Love Hate And Then There's You" (12 tracks; 35 min.) starts off with a blazing "This Is Our Perfect Crime", which picks up where "Pawn Shoppe Heart" left off. First single "Pail Bride" (released just before the album) is an equal great short burst of garage guitar rock. "Chancer" starts off the second half of the album, and is for me the best track on here, and an obvious candidate for another single, a 3 min. energetic and hook-filled song (with the great line "You don't look so cool/But you looks so alive"). There are no weak tracks on here, and at 35 min. this albums clips by in no time. The closer "Modern Saints" is the longest track of the album, but it builds up nicely and is a great way to finish off things.
In all, this album brings nothing revolutionary from the Von Bondies. In fact, it's like time has stood still for the band, as they are still partying like it's 2004 when "Pawn Shoppe Heart" came out, not that this is a bad thing. If you likes that album, I can guarantee you'll like this one. But since then the music world has changed, and I don't know that this release will get the exposure it deserves. The only place I know that plays this is WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-rock in the country, bar none."