the pains of being pure at heart

5 Bands to Listen to if You Like The Pain of Being Pure at Heart

Andy Fenstermaker
April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart gave us their debut, self-titled LP in 2009. The band created this interesting blend of indie pop with hints of shoegaze and even emo. The songs featured on the Pains of Being Pure at Heart were romance and relationship based with a youthful edge. Their music was packed with catchy vocal hooks, fuzzed-out melodic guitar riffs, and an overall dreaminess to it.

Fense is Getting Married! Love Song Night on KSVR

Andy Fenstermaker
June 26, 2013May 20, 2023

Yep, I’m getting married in a few days, so I figured it was time to put together a love-themed radio show. I tried to keep it centered around positive love songs, but with indie music, but a few oddities slipped in. In true form, I also made it my latest vinyl-only night.

Fense’s Radio Show: November 9, 2012

Andy Fenstermaker
November 14, 2012May 18, 2023

Last week I returned to the present with only a few throwbacks to the 90s toward the end of the show. The split digital/vinyl show featured new tracks from Sleeping Bag, The Babies, Sweater Girls, Gospel Claws, Suturee and Thunder Power. We also featured a few favorites since the year 2000 with tracks by The Anniversary, Tvärvägen and The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir.

Andy Fenstermaker
May 18, 2010May 16, 2010

One of last year’s top bands is at it again with a new single out next month on Slumberland Records for their new song “Say No To Love”. To mark the occasion, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart also given us a video of the recent dream pop single “Higher Than The Stars”. The video starts out in black and white, with the sole addition of the color orange, but switches to full color in the middle. From Dylan Mulick, the video gives TPOBPAH a playful side to their typically moody music. Read More »The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: Higher Than The Stars [Video]

FensePost Top 50: The Best Albums of 2009

Andy Fenstermaker
December 31, 2009May 12, 2023

2009 is a tough year to judge. I’ve checked out more albums this year than any year in the past. Well over 1,000. And there have been quite a few great ones as well. When this list began, it had 110 albums. I abandoned my top 33 and 1/3 for 45, and then said “screw it” and upped the number to an even 50. These are the top notch albums of the year, all worthy of praise.

FensePost Top 20: Best EPs of 2009

Andy Fenstermaker
December 30, 2009May 29, 2023

Not surprisingly, this list is filled with EPs by quite a few bands you know and quite a few you probably don’t. Of the ones you don’t know, many are likely from Washington; a quick count leaves me with five bands, or 1/4 of this list. Many of these bands I consider among the most promising artists to surface in 2009. All are worth checking out, and you’ll want to keep an eye on them as we head into 2010.

Andy Fenstermaker
October 9, 2009October 19, 2009

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart is definitely one of this year’s biggest hype bands, and it’s obvious why: their fuzzy pop is undeniably catchy and not overly drowned in the forced underproduction that can often plague the sub-genre. After a wildly successful self-titled debut LP, they return with Higher Than The Stars, an EP whose title track matches the best tunes in the TPOBPAH library thus far. Read More »The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: Higher Than The Stars [Album Review]

10 Must-Hear Albums From The First Half Of 2009

Andy Fenstermaker
July 3, 2009November 6, 2009

We’re now half way through 2009, so I figured it was about time to collect a few favorites from the year thus far. I’ve put together 10 must-hear albums from the first half of 2009. To alleviate any bias, and because I’m totally obsessed with this style of categorization, I’m putting them alphabetically. Read More »10 Must-Hear Albums From The First Half Of 2009

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: Everything With You [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
February 19, 2009April 11, 2009

Ever since Up Against The Legends by The Legends came to dominate my playlist, I’ve been obsessed with super distorted pop music, and I’ve spent countless hours attempting in vain to find an adequate compliment to that album. There have been several close calls, but none have had the power The Legends packed into the jewel case until now. Introducing: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. What a lovely name for a band! Read More »The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: Everything With You [Video]