Plain White T's has come a long way since it released its Fearless Records debut album, Stop, in 2002. The band has toured with just about every emo/pop-punk band that exists in the last few years, and now it has a solid sophomore release with All That We Needed.

The T's shows some songwriting depth this time with more focus on harmonies and less on being loud, a change from the decent, but mostly generic Stop. Insanely catchy choruses and riffs, and even a really great acoustic track, are some of the strong points of All That We Needed.

The album opens with the title track, an infectious poppy tune about trying to salvage a relationship that is almost over. The very next track, the hard-rocking "Revenge," serves as a second part of the story, as vocalist Tom Higgenson sings, "I've got the microphone so don't go to far, 'cause I'm gonna tell the whole world how you really are."

Although most of the lyrics deal with heartache and relationship trouble, the surprisingly upbeat tunes complement Higgenson's voice, keeping the album digestible instead of making it like a trip to the guidance counselor.

Plain White T's has that songwriting thing down. It has perfected the art of writing tight, power-pop songs -- and good ones at that. The only problem is the band's lack of identity. Some of the songs on All That We Needed could be misidentified as Jimmy Eat World, which isn't necessarily a horrible thing. However, in the leaps and bounds Plain White T's has made since its debut, it will be interesting to see what a couple more years of maturity will do for this band.

-- Reviewed by Brandon Linton