The Pains of Being Pure At Heart's 2009 self-titled debut album was truly an out-of-nowhere smash, garnering widespread acclaim from the likes of The New York Times ("sensitive and sublime, Best of 2009), Pitchfork (Best New Music, Best of 2009) and NME ("pure indiepop to hold close to your heart," Best of 2009) to countless indiepop forums and blogs, and landing the band a dedicated following that endures to this day. 2011 follow-up "Belong" aimed for the stars and hit the mark resoundingly, full to the brim with monster tunes and polished to powerful perfection by the production and mixing team of Flood (Depeche Mode, U2) and Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Jesus and Mary Chain, Ride). The combination was a resounding success, vaulting the Pains to a spot in the alt-rock firmament rarely reached by indiepop bands and cementing their status as one of the seminal guitar-pop bands of the era.
