The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35

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  1. 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 measure up to their predecessors. If you're a fan of 80's indie-pop, you must give this a listen.
  2. Masahiko
    Mar 12, 2009
    9
    In Japan, there was great guitar-pop band "Supercar". POBPAH is as pure as them. This is their "Three-out change!!" It's time to forget what is "Stone Roses", who is "MBV" and how great "Smiths" was. Yes, I'm ready. Sorry for my poor English.
  3. 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 when you are done!
  4. 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 forgotten anyone?).
    And '80s has been a great decade, it's cool a revival still now.
  5. 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. 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
  6. 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 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
  7. 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, 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 atBeing 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
  8. Ricko
    Mar 13, 2012
    8
    They have a pretty original name but the same can't be said of the tunes. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. Like you'll see in most reviews of this band, these guys are obviously big 80's early 90's indie fans. The influence of The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine is prominent. The guitar playing is reasonably simple and the vocals aren't great - really low, but there is somethingThey have a pretty original name but the same can't be said of the tunes. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. Like you'll see in most reviews of this band, these guys are obviously big 80's early 90's indie fans. The influence of The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine is prominent. The guitar playing is reasonably simple and the vocals aren't great - really low, but there is something about this album that I really like that I can't quite put my finger on. It's far from a classic but it's not got any bad tracks on it, its full of upbeat indie pop and it. The singles Hey Paul and Everything With You kind of embody everything about this record so if your looking for a taster before you dive in check those out.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    70
    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.
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  2. cokemachineglow
    82
    The album’s accompanying trappings do little to dull its impressiveness or the band’s command of its lineage.
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  3. Dusted Magazine
    80
    They’re simply better songwriters than many others in the field, and their ability to recontextualize these sounds into something so subsequently fresh and familiar is a stunning achievement.
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