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The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart play a second sold out show in as many nights, this evening it’s to a packed and sweaty Cargo in East London. This band seems to have been provoking universal praise since cutting their eponymous debut towards the end of last year. I’ve come to get a second dose after witnessing their support slot for Vivian Girls back in December.

It was at that winter show in Brixton that I first heard TPOBPAH and picked up their album. Since then it’s become a mainstay on my stereo although admittedly I didn’t start to give it serious attention until the spring started to show its face. For me it’s a near perfect record. Sun drenched, distorted riffs set to poppy boy-girl vocals, although mostly boy. It’s lyrics too are thoughtful, to the point and funny. A must buy.

Live though? Can these nicely dressed, combed haired Brooklynites cut the mustard? In short yes they can. The band creates a glorious warm wall of noise punctuated only buy Kip’s vocals. He’s not the most natural of singers and his voice does occasionally tremble live but it works just fine with the music, which is impeccable. They have a knack for making three minute distorted pop gems like the epic ‘Young Adult Friction’ sound effortless when they are far from it. Kip’s guitar riffs backed up by a tight rhythm section of Alex (bass), Kurt (drums) and a psychedelic edge courtesy of only female member Peggy on keys and vocals.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart seem to appeal to a variety of listeners too. Who would have bet that they would inspire a mosh pit for heaven’s sake? More to the point who would have bet it would be instigated by a group of 40 year old males and a genuine Mohawk toting punk? It’s good to see. ‘This Love Is Fucking Right’ gets us going. ‘Tenure Itch’ gets us thinking. An unknown (to me) track with a repeated chorus of “We are so sure/We will never die, no no, we will never die” is as epic as indie gets. Their sound reminds me a lot of some British greats, the twee of Belle & Sebastian and the jangly riffs of The Smiths. Take all that and drench it in Jesus And Mary Chain distortion  perhaps and you have The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart who even before they are willingly lead into playing final track , single ‘Hey Paul’, have made this venue their own. It’s early days to talk about greatness but if they keep up this momentum who knows?

mp3: The Pains OF Being Pure At Heart – This Love Is Fucking Right!

live: Relentless Garage, Aug 4th.

buy: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart  CD/LP DL