Stereo Jealousy

#28 – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – S/T

It is hard to believe that this band are New Yorkers. For this is a band whose sound so perfectly fits in with several strands of British indie, from the Shop Assistants to Sarah Records, it’s a shock that they’re from across the pond. Geography aside, they’ve created a debut that fits into the best that the genre (shoegaze? twee? indiepop?) has to offer, past or present. It’s all washes of guitar, little higlighted riffs and back-in-the-mix vocals and it works. The obvious stand out is Stay Alive with its melancholic/elegiac chorus, although over the course of its ten tracks, there’s barely a skipped beat. Indeed, there’s enough quality here to overcome any notion that the band are mere revivalists though what they do next will be intriguing.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Stay Alive

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Myspace

Buy The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

Photo: Oliver Lopina @ South Street Seaport, NYC, 10/09

Gig Of The Week: The Twilight Sad & Factory Floor @ The Lexington

Summer season finally starts to bite, with a much slower week this week. Still, there are still a few great shows dotted around town. The plumb draw has to be The Twilight Sad at the Lexington on Wednesday. The show happens in advance of a month long jaunt around North America, and in support of their new single, I Became A Prostitute, out on Monday. Their support comes from a fantastic London band Factory Floor, whose hypnotic, swirling songs blew Piano Magic off the stage at Barden’s earlier this year.

Otherwise, catch Fucked Up at the relaunched Higbury Garage on Monday – surely a fabulous venue in which to catch such an intense live band. Tuesday sees The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart backed by Hatcham Social at the same venue.

The Twilight Sad – Modern Romance
The Twilight Sad – I Became A Prostitute (video)
Factory Floor – Taxidermist

Photo: Jacob Earl, Metropolis, Montréal, 03.05.08

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Gig Of The Week 1: Underage Club @ Scala

Oh, to be young again! Under 18 special featuring some of 2008’s best artists, and some great picks for the coming year. Headlining are the excellent White Lies, who have to be the favourite in the recent BBC Sound of 2009 longlist. Backing them are the immense Metronomy, currently riding high in the cumulative Best of 2008 charts. Also on the bill are the great live act Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, whilst the eclectic mix is topped off with Rolo Tomassi. Head down to Scala early on Saturday as things kick off at around 2pm, if you’re young enough that is.

White Lies – Death

Metronomy – A Thing For Me

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – The Beat That My Heart Skipped

Golden Silvers – Magic Touch

Gig Of The Week 2: Fee Fie Foe Fum @ Cargo

Fantastic folky sorts populate Cargo on Tuesday as Laura Marling headlines a strong line up including Jay Jay Pistolet and Johnny Flynn, in celebration of the Fee Fie Foe Fum tour, which many of the artists present took to the USA earlier this year. Somewhat unsurprisingly due to Marling’s ever-growing popularity this is well sold out. But – if you have a chance to pick up spares by hook or crook this could be one of the last great shows of 2008.

Laura Marling – Night Terror

Mumford & Sons -Roll Away Your Stone

Johnny Flynn – Cold Bread

Jay Jay Pistolet – Holly

Laura Marling photo: ipickedmynose

Continue reading for a selected list of what London has to offer this week…

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