The Smithereens distinguished themselves from other '80s bands by combining power pop with garage rock cut straight from the British Invasion. More often than not, the feisty New Jersey combo have opted for buzz-sawing guitars ("A Girl Like You"), arpeggiated jangle-pop riffs ("Beauty And Sadness") and undulating harmonies ("Strangers When We Meet"). On other tunes like “Especially for You”, however, the band jazz up their sound with moody saxophone and piano, while noir-pop gems like “In a Lonely Place” are boosted by the vulnerable singing of the group's late frontman, Pat DiNizio.