The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong 87/100

Justifiably, some indie bands receive meager criticism for driving straight when they arrive at a fork in the road. Whether it's the fear of detractors or losing fans, many artists attempt to hedge their ambitions by choosing to superficially fold in new sounds while maintaining a carbon copy of what made them attractive in the first place. Although not a major crime, releases that seem like a balancing act between the old and new often end up sounding timid to a fault. Thankfully, Belong, the second album from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, manages to successfully forge ahead while retaining all the charm of their prior work.


Belong introduces some new influences to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, most noticeably Smashing Pumpkins. The title track and "Even In Dreams" feature the warbling guitar sludge found on many of that band's heavier works. Each song benefits greatly from putting that sound up front, knowing when to dial it back and maneuvering in between with flawless execution. The tension created by the chilly breathe/singing of Kip Berman in place of the nasally assault of Billy Corgan gives these tunes some unique identity. If "Belong" starts appearing on more than just college radio stations (car commercials) you've been warned.

Pains also ventures into brooding love ballad territory during "Anne With an E" to scintillating effects. Never before has the band bared this much bone on a song and hardly any muscle; gone are the layers of guitar fuzz and upbeat tempos so crucial to many of their past triumphs ("Young Adult Fiction" or "Higher Than the Stars"). They utilize another new tool by opening "Heaven's Gonna Happen Now" by stampeding through the opening bars with a snare mashing worthy of the first Clash album. "Strange" closes the album with that exact sentiment; never before has The Pains of Being Pure at Heart sounded so doubtful and unresolved. Even with darker songs ("Contender") the band used to stay more upbeat. Not always relying on charm hints at some serious songwriting maturation throughout this album.

Belong hangs on to enough of the twee pop sensibility of the EP and debut that listeners shouldn't mistake what band made this record. "My Terrible Friend" could have easily fit onto Higher Than the Stars and "Heart In Your Heartbreak" onto the The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The former pulsates with a meandering snyth and grounded bassline while the latter follows the structure of a danceable rock rhythm chugging along underneath chimes and whirls of My Blood Valentine-inspired fuzz. Although they revisit some familiar places, the evolution prevalent here makes the EP released between the first album and this more of a companion piece to the debut than a foreshadowing of Belong.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart stormed out of the gates by defying their young age with an unbelievable debut and equally successful (albeit somewhat sidestepping) follow-up EP right on its heels. Most artists heaped with such high levels of praise struggle to maintain momentum, but not this band. Belong not only confirms the seemingly out-of-nowhere greatness showcased on prior releases, it propels them closer to their revered contemporaries. Given their track record, the possibilities seem endless with another few years of refining. Belong continues the hitting streak with the possibility of a homerun well within their abilities.