The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
by
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

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  • Summary: This is the debut full-length album for the New York indie-rock band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    They’re sensitive and sublime.
  2. Prefix Magazine
    90
    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.
  3. Pitchfork
    84
    The Pains of Being Pure at Heart simply made a slyly confident debut that mixes sparkling melodies with an undercurrent of sad bastard mopery.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Everything sounds vaguely familiar, but rarely has it been done with such pristine confidence.
  5. Under The Radar
    70
    With such impeccable taste, it's just as hard to ignore what an irresistible cocktail it is. [Winter 2009, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    This quartet's exciting debut is a dark bodice-ripper for the buttoned-up-cardigan set.
  7. PopMatters
    50
    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.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. fate23
    Aug 19, 2010
    10
    A freshness retrospective of twentyfive years of indie music (Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Twee Pop, Jangle Pop, Noise Pop, C86. I've forgottenA freshness retrospective of twentyfive years of indie music (Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Twee Pop, Jangle Pop, Noise Pop, C86. I've forgotten anyone?).
    And '80s has been a great decade, it's cool a revival still now.    … Expand
  2. spacecadet
    Jun 5, 2011
    9
    although the album IS a bit repetitive and limited (as someone here mentioned before me).
    as with all shoegaze albums - it's part of the    although the album IS a bit repetitive and limited (as someone here mentioned before me).
    as with all shoegaze albums - it's part of the charm
    these songs, despite being so melodic, are not catchy at all. as with all shoegaze (in my opinion) it is suppose to leave you with a great feeling inside, but not remembering a thing. just like waking up from a sweet dream. and it does the job marvelously    … Expand
  4. 2hip2beahipster
    Jun 18, 2011
    9
    Being 18, I obviously never got a chance to actually live through the 80's. However, 80's pop culture references are always around, theBeing 18, I obviously never got a chance to actually live through the 80's. However, 80's pop culture references are always around, the references that state that the music was such better then, and with glam metal being existent during that era, I can't agree. However, there were bands like the Smiths, the Jesus and Mary Chain and so much more great indie bands. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, remind people who were able to lived through the 80's that there WAS actually some great music, and it makes people like ME, realize that same thing. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, noisy, and innocent sound work so perfectly here that it's almost impossible to not love this album, with it's straight forwards lyrics and sound. My Terrible Friend and Heart of Your Heartbreak are the two best tracks here, accompanied by a handful of other solid songs. Great album, great debut. Haven't listened to their sophomore effort yet, and I can only hope that they built towards their own identity, but still having the ability to help some of those relive the highlights of the 80's.… Expand
  5. LeeH
    Mar 6, 2009
    8
    Were the Primitives resurrected? This is a album is full of catchy hooks and pretty melodies. Be sure to wipe the Velveeta out of your ears Were the Primitives resurrected? This is a album is full of catchy hooks and pretty melodies. Be sure to wipe the Velveeta out of your ears when you are done!… Expand
  6. MusicMaven
    Mar 10, 2009
    8
    No, they're not particularly original. But there's not many bands out there with similar influences writing songs good enough to No, they're not particularly original. But there's not many bands out there with similar influences writing songs good enough to measure up to their predecessors. If you're a fan of 80's indie-pop, you must give this a listen.… Expand
  7. Vampire25
    Nov 28, 2012
    7
    The Pains of Being Pure At Heart is an indie pop gem. Each track is incredibly catchy and surprisingly has some very deep depth to them. AllThe Pains of Being Pure At Heart is an indie pop gem. Each track is incredibly catchy and surprisingly has some very deep depth to them. All In All, this isn't the pop record to end all pop records, but it surely is a well-written, indie rock record that shouldn't go missed. B… Expand
  8. Seriously
    Mar 13, 2009
    5
    These no-fi/"noise pop" bands are getting out of control. Do we really need another one? The genre has been milked dry after only a couple of These no-fi/"noise pop" bands are getting out of control. Do we really need another one? The genre has been milked dry after only a couple of years in the mainstream. Do they have some cool toons? Sure. But I've officially lost my patience. How hard is it come up with a sound that is remotely original? I've gotta stop reading Pitchfork.… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Shared Album of 2009

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