This Love is Fucking Right!

Over the last couple of months the self-titled debut album of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart has received a fair amount of critical acclaim. I, for one, have been enjoying this record ever since its release early January. The record is passionate, fragile but above all heart-warming from start to finish. Nevertheless I always wondered if they would be able to come across just as affectionate in their live shows. Before headlining at the Windmill tonight they played an instore at Rough Trade this afternoon. As the crowd gathered I couldn’t help but notice the irony in the fact that the (brilliant) Vaselines re-issue cd was scattering through the store. Is it just me or has twee definitely revived? I’m not complaining, as spring is the perfect time of year to blow the dust off your Talulah Gosh, Shop Asssistents, Vaselines and Pastels records, bands that the POBPAH can be linked to. Even though the band is clearly influenced by the late 80s sound they have seemed to found the right balance, hence, creating a distinct and wonderful sound.

From the advent of the set my attention is drawn to the genuine joy the band seems to obtain from playing. Opener, Doing All the Things, which featured on their EP, is followed up by This Love Is Fucking Right. Powered by hooky guitar riffs and upbeat drums the song sets the tone for what is to become a great afternoon. Latest single Young Adult Friction is welcomed with an enthusiasm that is rarely present at London gigs. As landmark song Come Saturday refers to the formation of the band when they had yet to find a drummer “a wasted summer with no drummer, we're gonna stay in”. Stay Alive is equally great and captures the harmonious vocals and sweet keyboards that leave you restless for love. After playing new song 103 the set is rounded up by Everything With You, leaving me with a tremendous feeling of satisfaction.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart has removed all my prior doubts about their live capabilities and left me with the knowledge that I will experience their album with even more pleasure from now on. Make sure you catch them at a small venue before it's too late:




2009 Tour Dates
5/16 - London, UK - Brixton Windmill
5/17 - Leicester, UK - The Musician
5/18 - Wrexham, UK - Central Station
5/19 - York, UK - The Duchess - tickets
5/20 - Glasgow, UK - Nice and Sleazy
5/21 - Leeds, UK - Cockpit - tickets
5/22 - Manchester, UK - Chorlton Irish Centre
5/23 - Bristol, UK - Dot to Dot Festival
5/24 - Nottingham, UK - Dot to Dot Festival
5/25 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix - tickets
5/26 - Paris, France - Batofar - tickets
5/27 - Toulouse, France - Le Cri De La Moutte
5/28 - Montpellier, France - Rock Store
5/29 - Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Festival
5/31 - Ravenna, Italy - Hana Bi
6/01 - Milan, Italy - La Casa 139
6/02 - St Gallen, Switzerland - Palace
6/03 - Munich, Germany - 59 to 1
6/04 - Koln, Germany - Luxor
6/05 - Berlin, Germany - NBI Club
6/06 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
6/07 - Utrecht, Holland - Ekko
6/08 - Amsterdam, Holland - Paradiso
6/09 - London, UK - Madame Jojos - Whiteheat
6/10 - London, UK - Cargo - Sold Out
6/11 - Oxford, UK - Jericho Tavern
6/12 - Cambridge, UK - Soul Tree
6/13 - Southampton, UK - Joiners Arms
6/14 - UK Isle of Wight Festival - Big Top Stage
6/18 - New York, NY - Cake Shop w/ Crystal Stilts

7/04 - Denmark - Roskilde Festival
7/05 - France - Eurokeennes Festival
7/10 - New York, NY - South Street Seaport
7/18 - Chicago, IL - Union Park - Pitchfork Music Festival
7/20 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo % (All Ages) %
7/21 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop (All Ages) %
7/23 - Portland, OR - Backspace (All Ages) %
7/24 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret (19+) %
7/25 - Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart