The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
I got this record after seeing lots of good reviews, and I have to say I'm sorry I did. Even the best reviews of this album admit that originality isn't its strong point, but claim that it makes up for it in strength of songwriting. While I certainly hear the musical influences (so much that recalling where I've heard bits of the songs before takes up most of my listening experience), I don't hear the songwriting quality at all.
The album, to me, suggests nothing more than some kind of average mean of every passable album filler track and b-side released by a British indie band from the mid-80s to the early-90s. It's pleasant and immediately familiar and has no discernible personality of its own.