All That We Needed

Essentially exuberant power-pop in emo-punk dress, Plain White T's trade in the kind of clean, modern, sugar-sweet radio pop that Jimmy Eat World made a career out of. While their hit "Hey There Delilah" is included here, its gentle acoustic treatment is not typical of the overall sound. The opening title track is like the Strokes with a haircut, a shower, and a new set of clothes, with a jumpy, shuffling beat and Everyman vocals. "Revenge" is anchored by a pounding beat and hard-rocking fuzz guitars, and "Take Me Away" is anthemic, zooming, and melodic.
Elsewhere, "What More Do You Want" cops moves from new wavers like the Cars and Romantics and "Sing My Best" is a summer radio hit waiting to happen. In fact, many of the airwave-ready tunes could be the perfect addition to the soundtrack of an '80s comedy, which is far from a sin. ALL THAT WE NEEDED is bright, slickly produced, and as unfussy as the band's name implies.