{"title":"The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pains Of Being Pure At Heart is an indie pop band from New York City, founded in 2007. The live members of the band include Jessica Weiss, Jacob Sloan, Anton Hochheim, and Christoph Hochheim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a recent Facebook post, Kip Berman, the founder of the band, announced his departure from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart to focus on his new project called The Natvral. This decision comes after significant life changes and a shift in musical direction. Despite different lineups throughout their career, what animated their music remained consistent until now. With this change, Kip aims to express himself in a new and different way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Kip pursues his solo endeavor with The Natvral, other former members have also embarked on various projects such as Massage by Alex Naidus, Store Front by Peggy Wang, The Ice Choir \/ Tenser Timpani by Kurt Feldman, Ablebody + live performances with Jerry Paper by Christoph Hochheim, Dondadi by Connor Hanwick, Jeanines \/ Dream Diary by Jacob Sloan,\nBeverly \/ Public Practice by Drew Citron,\nBeach Fossils by Anton Hochheim,\nShowtime Goma by Jen Goma,\nFear of Men by Jess Weiss,\n@shopnoctiluca (Elspeth Vance),\nJess Krichelle (visual artist) by Jess Krichelle Rojas,\nArch Of Love by Chris Schackerman,\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"belong-1","title":"Belong","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pains of Being Pure At Heart's 2009 self-titled debut album was truly an out-of-nowhere smash, garnering widespread acclaim from the likes of The New York Times (\"sensitive and sublime, Best of 2009), Pitchfork (Best New Music, Best of 2009) and NME (\"pure indiepop to hold close to your heart,\" Best of 2009) to countless indiepop forums and blogs, and landing the band a dedicated following that endures to this day\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2011 follow-up \u003ci\u003eBelong\u003c\/i\u003e aimed for the stars and hit the mark resoundingly, full to the brim with monster tunes and polished to powerful perfection by the production and mixing team of Flood (Depeche Mode, U2) and Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Jesus and Mary Chain, Ride). The combination was a resounding success, vaulting the Pains to a spot in the alt-rock firmament rarely reached by indiepop bands and cementing their status as one of the seminal guitar-pop bands of the era. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Slumberland","offers":[{"title":"Blue LP","offer_id":50401485947211,"sku":"2011509","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Belong_a88184ea_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726523439"},{"product_id":"a-portrait-of-sylvie-vartan","title":"A Portrait of Sylvie Vartan","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Natvral (Kip Berman, former frontman of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) shares \"A Portrait of Sylvie Vartan,” his first physical release since his 2021 debut LP \u003ci\u003eTethers\u003c\/i\u003e. It is limited to 240 copies on pastel green vinyl, and the 2 tracks exclusive to this release ploughs similar territory to the debut album i.e Rolling Stone era Bob Dylan with a dash of Neil Young. About the track, Kip says, “‘A Portrait of Sylvie Vartan’ is about the allure and the limits of self-invention, and the ways we relate - or don’t - across oceans, language, and time.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prefect Records","offers":[{"title":"Green | 7\"","offer_id":50422080864587,"sku":"1147423","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7c2372a3-69cb-4a8d-b36f-c2011d11efb6_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726762344"},{"product_id":"summer-of-no-light","title":"Summer of No Light","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Natvral (Kip Berman, former frontperson of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) returns with his second solo album, \u003ci\u003eSummer of No Light \u003c\/i\u003eon Dirty Bingo Records. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn his second album as The Natvral - a spirited, beautifully observed collection of rough and ready songcraft - the former Pains of Being Pure at Heart frontperson was eyeing the past while dealing with an inescapable present. In 2020, in the early stages of lockdown, Berman began writing songs that reflected on a world that had seemingly ended – while contending with the needs of his young family seeking solace in the familiar. “After putting my children to bed, I spent many a late night in the basement with my guitar and let my mind wander to the places where I could no longer go,” he says. “Initially, a lot of the songs were about getting as far away from the reality of my moment as possible.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe drew parallels with another tumultuous summer. “The record’s title, Summer of No Light, is taken from the climate crisis of 1816,” he says. Often referred to as The Year Without a Summer, that year a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia darkened much of the world’s sky. The resulting ash brought dramatic global cooling and widespread famine, hitting Western Europe especially hard. While he initially sought escape from the isolation in which he found himself, soon the solace of home and family life began to seep its way into the music “The routines of domesticity were often unwelcome, and always exhausting - but probably mentally helpful. I was isolated, but not alone.” Despite the many graveyard romps that populate the record, it’s the moments that celebrate home that gives this album its heart.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSummer of No Light\u003c\/i\u003e is an album that’s born of a precise moment, yet revels in anachronism. Collapsing time to make a little bit of sense of this one, Berman feels artistically rejuvenated, drawing on histories large and small to breathe new life and perspective on his own. “It was a time that is now almost unspeakable – not because the tragedy was too profound or in any way trivial – but because we were all there.” \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dirty Bingo","offers":[{"title":"Green LP","offer_id":50443266752843,"sku":"2048673","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Summer_of_No_Light_359b6092_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727011705"},{"product_id":"days-of-abandon","title":"Days of Abandon","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhereas both its predecessors put a heavy emphasis on distortion and feedback, 'Days of Abandon' lets the songs breathe and ultimately speak for themselves. Gone are most of the original band members and as a result so are the older style of arrangements. Instead, the ten pieces display an emotional fragility and insecurity that proves quite endearing. Now essentially a vehicle for songwriter Kip Berman (although long-time drummer Kurt Feldman also remains), 'Days Of Abandon' finds itself steeped in reference points borrowed from the Eighties. Fuelled by Berman's propensity for detailed storytelling of a sweet and sour nature, it manages to sound like neither of its predecessors while still retaining an identity reserved exclusively for The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. For example, opener 'Art Smock' takes the form of a lovelorn lament. Stripped down to just Berman and an acoustic guitar, its creator baring his soul for all to see (and hear). While not entirely representative of the album as a whole, it sets the scene for what follows, with any suggestions of this being Belong part 2 quickly dispelled. Recent single 'Simple and Sure' underlines Days of Abandon's pop sensibilities, its killer hook marrying insatiably with lyrics like \"I'll never find anyone as absolutely right as I found you\". Interestingly, the vocal contributions here from A Sunny Day In Glasgow's Jen Goma coincide with Days Of Abandon's best moments. Upbeat pop number 'Kelly' sounds like it could have been lifted off the soundtrack of The Breakfast Club, while the penultimate 'Life After Life' finds Goma's smooth tones comparable to those of Debbie Harry during Blondie's Parallel Lines heyday.CD - Digipack.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fierce Panda","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471001391435,"sku":"375457","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d8d2911f-3604-4f62-a4a0-fc93253ee100_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727387506"},{"product_id":"the-echo-of-pleasure","title":"The Echo Of Pleasure","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pains of Being Pure at Heart have long set the benchmark for big-hearted, idealistic pop songs. With \u003cem\u003eThe Echo of Pleasure\u003c\/em\u003e, The Pains push beyond their many inspirations and embrace their role as indiepop heroes in their own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShowcasing the deft songwriting of frontman \u003cstrong\u003eKip Berman\u003c\/strong\u003e, The Pains' fourth album is their most confident and accomplished. After three critically-acclaimed records, 2009's \u003cem\u003eThe Pains of Being Pure at Heart\u003c\/em\u003e, 2011's \u003cem\u003eBelong\u003c\/em\u003e and 2014's \u003cem\u003eDays of Abandon\u003c\/em\u003e received praise from The New York Times, Pitchfork, The Guardian and Rolling Stone, they have put together a collection of songs that possess a timeless grandeur, deeper and more satisfying than anything the band has done since their iconic debut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's an album that reflects the band's most joyous moments while maintaining Berman's candid and critical lyricism, free of the self-abasing insecurity of youth. \"\u003cem\u003eThe Echo of Pleasure\u003c\/em\u003e is loving. The music is heavier, more expansive,\" he says. \"To me, songs about love shouldn't be thought of as light. Love is big- sometimes it's emphatic, overwhelming or simple - other times it's tense, anxious or just exhausting. But at its best, it makes you want to be something better.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Painbow","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50471360233803,"sku":"1016094","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471360397643,"sku":"1016093","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a90ad802-24e6-4444-96be-09e5df54301e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727399698"},{"product_id":"the-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart-reissue","title":"The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart","description":"\u003cp\u003eSince its release in 2009 The Pains of Being Pure At Heart’s self-titled debut has attained the status of a modern indiepop classic, and even more crucially a record that continues to have an impact well beyond the indiepop scene. As one of the key bands in Brooklyn’s late 00s guitar music revival (alongside Crystal Stilts, Grizzly Bear, Vivian Girls, Frankie Rose and others) The Pains paid tribute to everything from C86 to early Slumberland, Sarah and Creation label pop, but with a distinct American flavor drawn from groups like Smashing Pumpkins and The Pixies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir debut album exploded immediately, going places that indiepop records and bands rarely do (like TV appearances on Carson Daly's and David Letterman's shows) and leading to several years of constant touring and the further release of two more well-received albums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Slumberland","offers":[{"title":"White LP | Rough Trade Exclusive","offer_id":50497115455819,"sku":"1149059","price":16.66,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Silver LP","offer_id":50497117126987,"sku":"2218064","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":56163600400715,"sku":"R7724-5829","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/4fa2e1f2-01b4-45ab-87d2-83690d4202ac_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727726375"},{"product_id":"tethers","title":"Tethers","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs the frontman of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Kip Berman wrote songs about the thrills and ills of young adult life with the care and concern of a cool older sibling. Enter \u003ci\u003eTethers,\u003c\/i\u003e Berman’s first solo record as The Natvral, where Kip finds his new project more aligned with the sounds of Bob Dylan, Neil. Young, and his long time hero Leonard Cohen. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut in this time away from the life of a touring artist, Berman discovered an unvarnished, broken folk rock sound - a marked departure from his previous work. Recorded over 7 days with producer Andy Savours (My Bloody Valentine, Black Country New Road, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart), \u003ci\u003eTethers\u003c\/i\u003e is as raw in sound as it is nuanced and empathetic in its lyricism. Without effect pedals, overdubs or even a metronome, the resulting album feels free and unpretentious, recalling the strident obliqueness of Bob Dylan and Neil Young’s sonic primitivism - but drawn from a set of vividly detailed experiences all Berman’s own. Throughout, he is supported by former TPOBPAH collaborators Jacob Sloan (bass), Brian Alvarez (drums), Sarah Chihaya (backing vocals) and Crystal Stilts\/Woods Kyle Forester (organ).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dirty Bingo","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50500762304843,"sku":"1113777","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/db90c42b-4da4-49d6-8b56-a8e7fad9f235_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727779669"},{"product_id":"rock-n-roll-queen","title":"Rock n‘ Roll Queen","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne and a half years after their debut album that created surprise in the world of AOR \/ Melodic Rock, French group Heart Line founded by guitarist Yvan Guillevic is once again \"back in the game\" with a new album that will be released on June 23, 2023 on the German label Pride \u0026amp; Joy Music.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pride and Joy Music","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50529772241227,"sku":"2025206","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Heart_Line_-_Rock_N_Roll_Queen_7d032a80_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728066285"},{"product_id":"perfect-right-now-a-slumberland-collection-2008-2010","title":"Perfect Right Now: A Slumberland Collection 2008-2010","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pains of Being Pure At Heart exploded out of the late 00s Brooklyn indie scene with a bright, distinctive sound that paid tribute to everything from C86 to early Slumberland, Sarah and Creation label pop, but with a distinct American flavour drawn from groups like Smashing Pumpkins and The Exploding Hearts. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir 2009 self-titled debut is rightly considered a classic, and with \u003ci\u003ePerfect Right Now\u003c\/i\u003e we're thrilled to round out the story of The Pains' early years. The ten tracks here compile the much-loved (and LONG out of print!) b-sides from the 7\"s that accompanied that first album, the follow-up \u003ci\u003eHigher Than The Stars\u003c\/i\u003e EP, a couple of scarce tunes from split singles, and finally \"Say No To Love,\" a spectacular tune that points the way forward to the band's next chapter. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are some proper lost classics, songs like \"Kurt Cobain's Cardigan,” “Side Ponytail” and \"The Pains of Being Pure at Heart\" that still pack the dancefloors at indie discos from Göteborg to Glasgow and beyond. We couldn't be more excited to make them available again in this fine package that includes liner notes by the band’s Kip Berman and rarely-seen pictures from the group’s early days. Perfect right now indeed!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Slumberland","offers":[{"title":"Clear LP","offer_id":50861888569675,"sku":"2233411","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50861889192267,"sku":"2233412","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0749846029218_c37a158a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732038835"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_b13edb81_thumbnail_4096_68edc438-a242-4444-9cc0-b4c202767f51.jpg?v=1726523418","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/the-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}