The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Belong (Slumberland)

Two things are apparent after the first listen of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart‘s Belong. The first is that they have never heard of a sophomore slump. The second is that they must love John Hughes movies. Belong is still shoegazy enough to satisfy those thrilled by the genre revival that POBPAH helped usher in while also sounding like the ideal soundtrack to a lost brat pack flick. The first three tracks dare you to sit still and “Anne With An E,” is a classic high school movie slow dance number. It’s easy to say now, without the benefit of time, but this album sounds transcendent. It could be as comfortably heard in a dance club as on college radio. It is sincere and sappy without segueing into cheesy. It’s an album a macho guy could be embarrassed to like if it wasn’t so damn good. Their debut was the best album of 2009 and, while it is very early, Belong may be the best album of 2011. OK, I’m going to stop gushing now. This album brings out the sap in me.

Stream the album below: