The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: reviews, albums, facts

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Musical Group

Forfans of indie pop, shoegaze, and twee who enjoy melodic hooks and 2000s nyc guitar bands.
3 Reviews 0 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

American indie pop band formed in New York City in 2007, led by Kip Berman. They debuted with a self-titled album in 2009, followed by Belong (2011), Days of Abandon (2014), and The Echo of Pleasure (2017). The project concluded in 2019.

Debut album released in 2009; Belong (2011) produced by Flood and Alan Moulder; associated with Slumberland Records (US) and Fortuna Pop! (UK); known for blending twee pop melodies with shoegaze and noise-pop textures.

Three reviews chart the band’s path from fuzz-kissed indie pop to cleaner, jangly sheen. The debut is praised for sunny hooks; Belong is competent but divisive for its mainstream polish; Days of Abandon is melodic and pleasant, if lightweight. References abound to Sarah Records, The Smiths, and The Cure, with melodies consistently highlighted.

Notable Quotes

❝ There’s no danger that the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, if it wasn't clear, sound original.

❝ "Belong" is indeed an album that does not shy away from twee melodies or dreamy atmospheres ... it incorporates elements of grunge and American college rock that make it more appealing to the general public.

❝ Sweet and crystalline pop, pure secondhand jangle. Entirely gone are the background noise and fuzz, and welcoming are the dreamy atmospheres of Sarah along with constant nods to the Smiths and the Cure.