The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Critic Score
Based on 24 reviews
2009 Ratings: #228 / 923
Year End Rank: #23
User Score
Based on 278 ratings
2009 Rank: #118
Liked by 35 people
February 3, 2009 / Release Date
LP / Format
Slumberland / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

91
A.V. Club

In spite of that earnest, staunch reliance on its blueprint, TPOBPAH’s debut full-length is refreshingly watertight throughout.

90
Spectrum Culture

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart proves itself to be a rare work capable of holding its own against its obvious influences. Regardless of whether the band goes down the same rocky road towards mediocrity as so many of their predecessors, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart have crafted a debut for the ages.

90
Prefix
There is something distinctly perfect about the naivety that the Pains of Being Pure at Heart seem to effortlessly inject into every bouncy ballad of young love and young living that makes their self-titled debut not only a welcome throwback but a much needed vacation from over-calculation.
90
No Ripcord

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart can easily be at the forefront of this scene because, simply put, they have the best hooks.

86
Beats Per Minute
The songs are uniformly well-crafted, yes, but most importantly, they convey an aching, vulnerable heart. When confronted with focused, coherent skill such as this, one is tempted to call it “perfect”. But this record isn’t perfect, it’s something else–pure.
85
XLR8R
This album is hopefully just the beginning of many more pop gems to come from this adorable bunch.
84
Pitchfork

Like plenty of other bands in the internet era, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart seem poised to attract an audience that will far outstrip that of their easily identifiable precedents-- in their case, groups like Rocketship or Shop Assi

stants, each obscure these days even by Approved Indie Influence standards. A few other twee/noise-pop revivalists arguably pulled off that same trick last year, but Pains of Being Pure at Heart are likely to appeal to listeners beyond online name-droppers and Brooklyn scenesters.

82
Coke Machine Glow
The album’s accompanying trappings do little to dull its impressiveness or the band’s command of its lineage.
80
Drowned in Sound

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart have crafted an impeccable debut way beyond their years, and any misconceptions about them being mere revivalists of a scene only their elders could recall at first hand will surely be diminished instantaneously upon hearing this most accomplished of long players.

80
The Irish Times
While it helps enormously that the Pain have got that sound sussed, this album really finds its feet when such tracks as Come Saturday, Stay Aliveand The Tenure Itchplay to the band's strengths.
80
God Is in the TV

As the last guitar howls into a feedback screaming scree, the album comes to a stop with the perfect finality, and it all felt like - if not a first rate debut album - a cracking, smart exemplar of achingly pretty things to come from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

80
NME

It’s much more than the sum of its parts and too effortlessly effervescent to be studied. Pure indie-pop to hold close to your heart.

70
Under the Radar
With such impeccable taste, it's just as hard to ignore what an irresistible cocktail it is.
70
Sputnikmusic
Despite some shortcomings pertaining to variety and originality, this is a charming debut from a band worth watching.
70
Rolling Stone
This quartet's exciting debut is a dark bodice-ripper for the buttoned-up-cardigan set.
70
AllMusic

A little more variation from song to song, a little more of their own sound, or another song or two as compelling as the best stuff here and the POBPAH's debut would have been classic. Settling for impressive is fair enough and good enough for fans of loud, fuzzy, and heartfelt indie noise pop.

70
Gigwise
It’s all over in under 35 minutes and you’re free to remember where you are again. You’re left with the taste of Jesus & Mary Chain’s 'Just Like Honey' in your mouth from album closer 'Gentle Sons'. But it’s definitely over. But just maybe you’re a better lover for it.
60
The Guardian

Anyone convinced that the C86 bands represent a nadir of tweeness will hate it - while anyone who thinks that Britpop and dance music ruined indie will fall hopelessly in love.

60
Uncut
Their sound is an accident born of naivety, but their unabashed love for '80s indie is unmistakeable.
60
Mojo
Hugely enjoyable, with nagging tunes too, but let's move forward next time.
60
NOW Magazine
These kinds of shameless retro-isms would usually be cause for a scathing review. But as much as we’d like to snub their lack of originality, it’s hard to deny that the Pains do what they’ve set out to do quite well.
60
musicOMH

All told it’s a slightly patchy album, but one which is nonetheless savedby a couple of pop gems.

50
PopMatters
It is a love song to the bands they grew up on, at times purely imitation as flattery, and, in those modest goals, it succeeds.
50
Tiny Mix Tapes

Crafting a "singular" sound is as idealistic as the next musical virtue, but this album -- the band's debut -- is glaringly commonplace.

HotelRestaurant
85

Ah, another installment of the eternal quandary:
Is this album Shoegaze or Dream Pop?

I'll tell you what it is! ... ok, maybe I can't yet tell the difference, but it's a jolly good time! Go check it out!

Highlights: Contender, ☆Young Adult Friction☆, The Tenure Itch, This Love Is Fucking Right!, Stay Alive, Everything With You, A Teenager In Love, Gentle Sons

ZeroTaste
90

Very good.

Lucmun
78

What a special little record this is. Simple, nostalgic shoegaze blanketing an absolutely delightful show of pop hooks and endearing duel vocals. It's just adorable.

kamrynsheadphon
85

If The Smiths made shoegaze, it would sound kind of like this.

Favorite: Stay Alive
Least Favorite: Hey Paul

steelflora
90

one of my absolute favorites. call it shoegaze, call it noise rock, call it dream pop, one thing is true: this thing slaps. the melodies are delicious, the vocal harmonies (somewhat sparse but so tasty when they kick in) are delectable. the guitar work is impeccable, a wonderful fuzzy yet bright tone. great pacing, great songwriting, just a really enjoyable album to listen to, no matter the situation.

godaberi
83

Bursting with charm and sweet, catchy hooks.
*Young Adult Friction; Stay Alive; A Teenager in Love

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