New Pains of Being Pure at Heart EP

Release of four new songs to coincide with Fall tour.

By Blurt Staff

Acclaimed indie popsters the Pains of Being Pure At Heart are back with a new EP, Higher Than The Stars, four brand-new songs that should tide fans over who were smitten with by their self-titled debut, issued this past winter by Slumberland. (Reviewed HERE at Blurt.) The EP is due Sept. 22 on CD, 7", 12" and digital formats. Expect to hear the new material showcased on the band's fall tour, itinerary below.

Here's the scoop on the EP's tracks, courtesy the band's label:

"Falling Over" has also become a staple of the band's live sets and shows a new side of the band. A brooding synth-led tune that recalls New Optimist touchstones like Orange Juice and Aztec Camera, "Falling Over" is as yearning, lovelorn and dreamy as pop gets, and an excellent addition to The Pains' canon.

"Twins" turns up the fuzz, a mid-tempo rocker with a sing-along chorus and catchy-as-heck guitar lead as the hook. This is quintessential Pains of Being Pure At Heart -- slot it into a mix tape between Teenage Fanclub and an old Lilys song and you'll be happy as a clam.

"Higher Than The Stars" races along on arpeggiated keyboards and quickly strummed guitars, a perfect pop nugget that could be ripped from Robert Smith's songbook. Its unstoppable energy is pure Pains, though, and we expect to see a lot of ear-to-ear grins when the band busts this one out on tour.

"103" has quickly become a favorite of the Pains' live set and it's easy to hear why. A fizzing slice of summertime noise-pop with all the melody, fuzz and fun you've come to expect from The Pains and a snazzy little stun-guitar solo to boot.

Meanwhile, also look for an exclusive limited edition 7" single on Sept. 8. The tracks are "Come Saturday" and "Side Ponytail."

Tour Dates:

July 23 2009 Backspace Portland, Oregon *
July 24 2009 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC *
July 25 2009 Capitol Hill Block Party Seattle, Washington
Sep 05 2009 Middle East Downstairs, Boston, Massachusetts &+
Sep 06 2009 La Sala Rossa Montreal, Quebec &+
Sep 07 2009 Horeshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario &+
Sep 08 2009 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois &+
Sep 09 2009 Stage Door at the Orpheum Madison, Wisconsin &+
Sep 10 2009 The Slowdown Omaha, Nebraska &+
Sep 12 2009 Monolith Festival Morrison, Colorado
Sep 13 2009 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, Utah &+
Sep 14 2009 Neurolux Boise, Idaho &+
Sep 17 2009 MFNW / Doug Fir Portland, Oregon &+
Sep 21 2009 Casbah San Diego, California &+
Sep 22 2009 Club Congress Tucson, Arizona &+
Sep 24 2009 Lola's Fort Worth, Texas &+
Sep 25 2009 The Mohawk Austin, Texas &+
Sep 26 2009 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, Louisiana &+
Sep 27 2009 Club Downunder Tallahassee, Florida &+
Sep 28 2009 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia &+
Sep 29 2009 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina &+
Sep 30 2009 Black Cat, Washington DC &+
Oct 01 2009 Ottobar Baltimore, Maryland &+
Oct 03 2009 New York, NY Webster Hall &+
Oct 05 2009 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania &+

* = w/ Girls
& = w/ The Depreciation Guild
+ = w/ Cymbals Eat Guitars