Sounding as a cross of the lines between a younger Steve Earle and a drifting Bobby Bare Jr. is former Verbena singer/guitarist Scott Bondy (aka A.A. Bondy). Adjusting to self-confinement in the Catskill Mountains Bondy determined his musical career to be finished after his group disbanded in 2003. Slowly warming up to the process over time again, he began writing and recording some three years later, culminated by the release of the recent American Hearts album. Buried within are deep songs of retrospection, redemption and personal protest.

“Rapture (Sweet Rapture)” speaks of Bondy’s interest of Biblical imagery and his ultimate search for truth within, “I don’t wanna talk about Jesus, I just wanna see his face.” Conforming to his acoustic, singular-voice style of music are Bondy’s lyrics from the title track, “Don’t tread on me, for I am your brother, I was born with an American heart.” And similarly throughout there are words or passive protest, but what ultimately weighs in as the conquering theme is that search for truth in faith. “Sweet, sweet cocaine, won’t you be all mine. Heart will pound, my hands will shake, I’m doin’ mighty fine,” rings the first line from “Vice Rag.” Posing as a literal drug ballad, the track expresses the superficial glorification of the vices and addictions many in Bondy’s line of work have succumb to. Passing through cocaine, heroin and whiskey, Bondy ultimately begs of the devil, then Jesus, to join him, “Sweet, sweet Jesus, won’t you be all mine, if you take my sinner’s hand, we’ll walk down the line.”

A.A. Bondy “There’s a Reason” (mp3)
A.A. Bondy “Vice Rag” (mp3)

(MySpace)