The Pains of Being Pure at Heart sounds like a title for a book similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul. This is no book but a New York based indie pop band. Debuting in 2007 with their self-released EP under Painbow label, the band released their second album, “Belong” on March 29, 2011, through Slumberland Records. The album was recorded in 2010 after extensive touring off their debut album. Produced and mixed by U2 and Nine Inch Nails collaborators Flood and Alan Moulder, vocalist/guitarist Kip Berman explained that the band wanted the songs to exist in an immediate and instinctual place. The first record had a lot of remembered experiences lyrically. Thus, Berman wanted to continue on that feel of making an impression on the listener.

When released, the album was positively received by music critics, earning a 76 on review aggregator site Metacritic, indicating “generally favorable reviews” and a user score of 8.2. Billboards.com stated that the 10-track set has barely any weak moments, and actually ended much too soon for taste and rated the album a 93. Similarly, Pitchfork gave “Belong” an 82, stating that the album is a bigger, brighter and bolder follow-up that adds new dimensions to Pain’s sound. Mojo gives an 80 stating that album stands up to the touchstone indie classics it references. On the other hand, NME gave the album a 30, stating that the album is “sexless, meek, and flaccid.” They continued to state the band approaches the subject of sex with an “embarrassed grin and to your disappointment.” For example, NME asserted that “track ‘My Terrible Friend’ is a Wendy house dry-hump between The Cure and The Only Ones, with choice lyric Everyone is pretty and fun/Everyone is lovely and young.” The site continued to ridicule the rest of the tracks with the overall subject of a sad portrayal of sexual references. Q Magazine also felt the same, rating the album a 40 and stating that only the title track matches the idea with execution.

Personally, I think NME was very harsh with their comments. When I listened to this album, I liked it, but in no way did I think that this album was strictly based on sex. I thought this album had a relaxing texture to it, like background music to writing or reading. Maybe I did not fully listen to the lyrics, still I enjoyed this album. I would have to say that my favorite track would be “Heart in your Heartbreak.” I wouldn’t place this album as my top of 2011 but I would most likely put it somewhere in the middle of my list. Thus, I agree with the Metacritic’s score of 76.

Track List
1. Belong
2. Heaven’s Gonna Happen Now
3. Heart in Your Heartbreak
4. The Body
5. Anne with an E
6. Even in Dreams
7. My Terrible Friend
8. Girl of 1,000 Dreams
9. Too Tough
10. Strange

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