When the World Sings

Fine China aren't just obsessed with the '80s; on their debut album, When the World Sings, they seem joyfully trapped in a decade where men could sound like women and jamming on cheap Casio keyboards represented the height of cool. Listeners too young to remember the '80s might not be able to comprehend Fine China's appeal, but anybody who fondly recalls cranking up Erasure and Pet Shop Boys tapes in Walkmans during high school will understand the world that Fine China inhabit. Fine China aren't bashful about revealing their '80s new wave heroes; traces of the Smiths, the Ocean Blue, Bronski Beat, Erasure, and New Order are littered through the CD like guilty fingerprints. New Order-esque droning basslines abound, especially on "We Rock Harder Than You Ever Knew," "Comforting, Gondoliering," and the climax of "Labor Saving Device." The effeminate whine of vocalist Rob Withem is endearing; like Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds, there's a boyish innocence in his voice that invigorates the songs. Fine China have a sense of humor as well, keenly aware of how their adoration for synth pop is anachronistic in the post-grunge alternative scene. Fine China aren't as good as their idols; however, that's too much to expect from a young band. Judge When the World Sings for what it is: a charming, hook-filled first album that affectionately revives the era of Pac-Man and parachute pants.