The Student Playlist

Showcasing the Best New Music, Curating the Classics

REVIEW: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – ‘The Echo Of Pleasure’ (Painbow Music)

  • 7/10
    - 7/10
7/10

Summary

Kip Berman resurrects The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart for a first album in nearly four years, and it contains all the elements that made them great without really pushing the envelope.

The fourth LP from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, The Echo Of Pleasure, is a typically confident release with a lot of charisma. The most interesting thing about the album is its overall energy, carried by the warm music which often contrasts with the underlying introspective and poignant meaning of Kip Berman’s pained and insightful lyrics.

The seriousness comes early on the album, when ‘Anymore’ brings a big dose of melancholy to the table. The heart-breaking guitar makes the song even more emotional and sets the tone for the whole record. At the same time, The Echo Of Pleasure does bring in some sweeter contemplation than reflecting on wanting “to die with you”. Ironically, ‘The Cure For Death’ finds its roots in a livelier mood, while is still plaintive enough to fit the context of the album. Most of the songs on The Echo Of Pleasure drift in that nostalgic aura created by the band. ‘Stay’ is definitely one of the most emotional moments on the record. The surprisingly quiet arrangement and simple lyrics suit perfectly as the ending for the album.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart continue to sound strong on the alternative and indie scene, where it is not always easy to find the right angle to become noticeable. Fortunately, the band possess certain lightness which makes their music easy to absorb and familiarize yourself with. Vocals delivered by both Berman and recurring guest Jen Goma (of American shoegazers A Sunny Day In Glasgow), glue the record together nicely, but they also leave enough room for the guitars, bass, drums, as well as horns, and sugary synths to shine through.

The album has a very familiar sound which, although quite pleasant, may seem a little tiresome after a few tracks. The thematic diversity can hardly be found on The Echo Of Pleasure, while Berman’s performance simply stops to surprise and elevate while the record develops. However, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart do possess an emotional effectiveness and have proven to be able to find a clear direction in their music, by releasing an album with more than intriguing sound. (7/10) (Alicja Rutkowska)

Listen to The Echo Of Pleasure here via Spotify, and tell us what you think below!

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.