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Belong - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Belong Image
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Band members: Kip Berman, Peggy Wang, Alex Naidus, Kurt Feldman
  • Summary: The NYC indie rockers channel the early '90s alternative sound on their second full-length album, working with famed producers Flood and Alan Moulder.
  • Record Label: Slumberland
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Pop, Noise Pop, Shoegaze
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Billboard.com
    Apr 15, 2011
    93
    The 10-track set barely has a weak moment and actually ends too soon. It's like '90s alt-rock had a child who suddenly grew up beautiful.
  2. NOW Magazine
    Jul 21, 2011
    60
    The slick production values and mighty arena-filling guitar and drum sounds will jolt fans of the New York City band's charming lo-fi debut.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 25, 2011
    30
    Undersexed and over here, let's send them back to where they, indeed, belong.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. ZeCatalist
    9
    One standout, "My Terrible Friend," pushes The Cure vibes to the limit, prompting listeners to get in their car, pick up some friends, turn it up and drive all night. It's the same fuzzy and chime-y sound we heard on the debut, but here the fun and drama is thicker, bigger, more complete. Luckily for us, the songwriting is also on par with the debut. What we end up with is the best MBV/Cure/Smashing Pumpkins/Smiths hybrid we could ever hope for. Belong ends up being maybe the best youth soundtrack since the first Strokes record all those moons ago. Better than the eponymous debut? Tough call. One thing's for sure - both are essential pop and/or rock listening, regardless of your age. Read more of our music- and film-related writing at ZeCatalist.com.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. lesoruble
    9
    When I saw it for the first time, I loved almost everything - the name of the band, the cover, but I was a bit afraid that it might sound much worse than I expected. But fortunately it's quite the opposite. It sounds like it was recorded by your closest friends who liked the same music as you and tried one day to juxtapose all of you favourite bands in one album. If I tried to record the album of my dream, i wish it would be like that. It has the loneliness of the Smiths, the sensitive aplomb of shoegaze and the bright senses of the Drums. I'm almost sure that this album undoubtedly would be a classic after a while, and you would need to share your feelings with thousands of someone else, so take a chance and listen it before that sad moment.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. Ricko
    8
    Second album from the fantastically named indie band. Although its similar in style to their debut, overall it shows progression. The production is better, the vocals are a bit clearer and the songs are stronger. Their first album reminded me of the Smiths, but this time they remind me a bit of The Cure. There are plenty of upbeat Indie rockers on this and it's a really enjoyable album. Their sound isn't exactly original and I can't say the band excite me that much, but there is something about their music that's really positive and really attracts me to them. Heavens Gonna Happen Now, Heart in Your Heartbreak and My Terrible Friend (the closest thing to a cover of The Cures "In Between Days" you'll ever hear) are all great tracks and are the kind of tracks that you'd find on those Teen Summer Film soundtracks that are usually so much better than the films themselves. Having said all that, they could do with some variation as well.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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