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Although All That We Needed hit store shelves several months ago, only in the past month have I begun to listen to it. And listen to it. And listen to it. Simply put, the members of the Plain White Ts are good songwriters. The band doesn't necessarily pursue terribly complex song structures, technical playing, or deep lyrical writing. But All That We Needed was designed to be driving, easily accessible and memorable, and the Plain White Ts make such simplicity as effective as it can be.
Not only do the Plain White Ts pen sing-along-friendly, catchy choruses, they also do so without being victimized by a barrage of tired trends. The band uses distorted guitars, upbeat drum parts, and a set of confident, widely appealing vocal chords. There are very few electronic inclusions, studio tricks and, thankfully, no feeble attempts at being heavy. All That We Needed is straightforward, melodic rock -- much in the vein of Jimmy Eat World's upbeat offerings -- with an endless supply of sugary hooks, vocal harmonies and slick guitar leads.
Part of me doesn't give a shit about the lyrics if the accompanying music is as catchy as the Plain White Ts', but there are a few passages that are downright cheesy. In "Take Me Away," vocalist Tom Higgenson sings, "I thought she was perfect / She thought I was perfect too / Perfect until she found someone new / Now I'm stuck here watching her / I can't take this abuse / What does this guy do that I can't do?" Broken hearts and lost loves are the topics for most of the songs, but "Breakdown" gets into a tumultuous childhood and the speedy "Lazy Day Afternoon" is all about enjoying doing nothing. I relate.
My unexpected embrace of All That We Needed came at just the right time. It's getting warm out and school's done. Despite its melodramatic lyrics, this is the type of feel-good music I associate with the atmosphere of summer. All That We Needed will certainly get a bunch of repeat listens, if only to cover up my incessant humming of its songs.
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