New York band, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, released its self-titled debut album earlier this month on Slumberland Records. For anyone in dire need of a worthy rock record, it has finally arrived.
The band has borrowed inspiration from its new wave predecessors, but they’ve utilized it in an impressively novel way. “Stay Alive”, a standout from the record, nostalgically sounds like Lush meets the Sundays, while “Everything With You”, another highlight, could find itself on any Smiths or Jesus and Mary Chain album. “Come Saturday” fuses noise-drenched, distorted guitar fuzz, a la My Bloody Valentine, with a pop beat and winsome chorus, featuring playful boy/girl vocal interplay. Singer/keyboardist, Penny Wang, contributes airy vocals in playful harmonies, adding a charming layer to Pure at Heart’s sound. They may make clear nods to their 1980’s-era influences, but The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are resurrecting such sound in an innovative way, achieving the ideal median of a knack for crafting sunny pop tunes as well as a matched talent for a darker side of dreamy, melancholic songs.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is a wistful nod to the new wave prototype, but it successfully maintains the innocent charm and infectious melody of pure pop songs.
Visit them on MySpace.
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