Belong (album)
Belong | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart | ||||
Released | March 29, 2011 | |||
Recorded | Fall 2010 | |||
Genre | Indie pop, noise pop, shoegazing | |||
Length | 39:20 | |||
Label |
Slumberland Records (US) Fortuna Pop! (UK) | |||
Producer | Flood | |||
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart chronology | ||||
|
Belong is the second studio album from New York indie band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.[1] It was released on March 29, 2011 through Slumberland Records in the US and Fortuna Pop! in the UK. The album was recorded in the fall of 2010 after extensive touring in support of the band's debut album. It was produced by Flood and mixed by Alan Moulder.[2]
Background and recording
In an interview with Pitchfork, vocalist/guitarist Kip Berman explained that the band "wanted the songs to exist in an immediate and instinctual place. The album sounds like we're taking away what we were hiding behind before. Lyrically, the first record had a lot of remembered experiences that I was looking back on and trying to make more clever, which can sound contrived. I like the idea of lyrics that don't get beyond themselves but catch you and make an impression. I think that's more emotionally compelling." [3]
Track listing
- "Belong" - 4:21
- "Heaven’s Gonna Happen Now" - 3:54
- "Heart in Your Heartbreak" - 3:45
- "The Body" - 3:54
- "Anne with an E" - 4:08
- "Even in Dreams" - 4:24
- "My Terrible Friend" - 3:11
- "Girl of 1,000 Dreams" - 2:49
- "Too Tough" - 4:32
- "Strange" - 4:22
Japanese Bonus Tracks | ||
---|---|---|
No. | Title | Length |
11. | "The One" | 4:04 |
12. | "I Wanna Go All The Way" | 2:42 |
13. | "Steel Daughter" | 3:37 |
14. | "Tomorrow Dies Today" | 3:59 |
- The vinyl was released in standard black with limited versions in white (US) and blue (UK).
- Four tracks from Belong were remixed for Record Store Day. The Acid Reflex EP was announced, and streamable, on February 24, 2012.[4]
Release and reception
Professional ratings | |
---|---|
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [5] |
Pitchfork Media | (8.2/10)[6] |
Slant Magazine | [7] |
Spin | (8/10)[8] |
Sputnikmusic | [9] |
Clash (magazine) | [10] |
Consequence of Sound | [11] |
February 2011 saw the announcement of Belong.[12] The sophomore LP was preceded by the release of "Heart in Your Heartbreak" and "Belong", the title track.
The album's release was followed by a national tour, supported by indie pop/electronic artist Twin Shadow. On March 10, 2011, The full album was posted on their website for streaming.[13]
The album has been received positively by music critics, earning a 76 on review aggregator site Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]
On March 23, 2011, "Heart In Your Heartbreak" was performed on the Late Show with David Letterman.[15][16] Tours across the United States, Europe, and United Kingdom saw the year out for the five-piece. In 2012, the band returned to Australia and New Zealand for the St. Jerome's Laneway Festival in January and February.[17] After this, Japan, China, and Singapore were visited by the performers.
Personnel
- Kip Berman – guitar, vocals
- Kurt Feldman – drums, percussion
- Christopher Hochheim – guitar
- Alex Naidus – bass, background vocals
- Peggy Wang - keyboards, vocals
References
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart". Thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Talk New LP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Talk New LP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Talk Release Record Store Day EP". This is Fake DIY. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ Pitchfork Media review
- ↑ Slant Magazine review
- ↑ Spin review
- ↑ Sputnikmusic review
- ↑ Clash (magazine) review
- ↑ Consequence of Sound review
- ↑ "Tiny Mix Tapes announce Belong". Retrieved 2012-03-13.
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart". Thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ↑ "Critic Reviews for Belong at Metacritic". Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart on Letterman". Noisevox.org. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
- ↑ "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart on Letterman". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
- ↑ "Laneway Festival homepage". perth.lanewayfestival.com.au. Retrieved 2012-03-13.