The Exploding Hearts

In 2003, a van carrying this Portland, Ore., band crashed, killing members Matthew Fitzgerald, Jeremy Gage and Adam Cox. They released this perfect power pop debut nearly three months earlier. Listening now to these infectious songs, which pull wiry hooks from the Only Ones, the Real Kids and Mick Jones of the Clash, you can't help but wonder how big they could have been.

Should have stayed, but they had to go ("Sleeping Aides and Razorblades," "Rumours in Town") (Grade - *)