The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #33: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

2014 was quite a year. Not the best of years, on a personal level, but a rather good year from a music standpoint. Having given a listen to record after record after record from the year that was, I’ve pulled together a list of favorites, finding it next to impossible to whittle the list down any further beyond 60 (I tried). In this group of 60 you’ll find records from old, faithful friends, upstart newcomers, and even a headscratcher or two. You’ll probably see some records that were a Big Deal not on this list. I either didn’t bite or didn’t buy the hype. I’m pleased as punch with this list, and I hope you’ll come across something that might have otherwise passed you by. And so, without further ado, my favorite records of 2014.

WHO: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

WHAT: Days of Abandon

WHEN: May 2014

WHERE: Yebo Music

WHY: I've been in smit with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart for several years now, and with each record I fall further under that sweet, smart, ridiculously cute dream pop spell. Days of Abandon saw some major changes in terms of band structure, but the result was a triumphant cache of effervescent pop daydreams too lovely to resist. Driven by the breathless charm of Kip Berman's forever young, forever darling vocals, this record makes an excellent addition to the TPOBPAH oeuvre. At this point, resistance is an exercise in futility. 

My jams: “Art Smock,” “Simple and Sure,” “Kelly,” “Beautiful You,” “Eurydice,” “Masokissed,” “Until The Sun Explodes,” “Life After Life”






[posted 4.25.15]