I’m under the impression that when the PLAIN WHITE T’S selected their name, they probably didn’t think they’d ever get signed to a national label – nor did they think they’d ever get stuck with such a moniker. Anyway, this Chicago based band’s debut album, “Stop” is chock full of catchy, melodic emo-rock fanfare, and with the exception that most of the standout songs sound like other bands, it’s a rather complete listen through all twelve songs. The biggest influence on the band is clearly JIMMY EAT WOLRD, and most specifically that blazing power-pop sound from “Bleeding American.” I swear, the tenth track, “Can’t Turn Away” has to be a b-side from the aforementioned (and is actually is a very, very good song). The second tune, “Please Don’t Do This” boasts some huge, chunky guitar riffs, but chord progression is something we’ve all heard before by various rock bands. The vocal intro to track eleven, “Penny (Perfect for You)” is decidely fierce, and I think just about any casual listener would perk up upon hearing it. The rest of the song is just rippin’ and helps the album close up on a major upswing. Fortunately, I’m a believer in the “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” philosophy when done well, and the PLAIN WHITE T’S certainly have the musical skills to pull off the style of music that they do, even if JIMMY EAT WORLD might call them and demand their sound back . The production, credited to Loren Israel, is well balenced, and fluid, fitting the genre just fine. The more I listen to “Stop,” the more it grows on me, and that’s as good a sign as any. The PLAIN WHITE T’S are definitely a band to check out if your looking for something with a little more integrity than your average melodic emo-rock band.

Fearless

www.fearlessrecords.com