Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Could well be the best of the new breed this year, 14 Mar 2005
By A Customer
Saw the Bravery at Koko's in Camden in early March and they were great. I couldn't wait to hear the album. And now it's here, it really doesn't disappoint. Opening with the disco rock of An Honest Mistake, there is no let up - No Brakes is a pretty apt name for a song with a great chorus hook, with a nod to Joy Division. One of the reasons why this album is so good is its downright funkiness - Fearless is reminiscent of the stomp of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus, with Sam Endicott's amusing delivery a tad camp but certainly none the less enjoyable for it. Of the songs the Bravery showcased on their recent tour, I really enjoyed the slow burning Tyrant Mouth - a great church organ and customary Sisters of Mercy electro-gothness provides the background to what is probably the best song on the album. It's difficult to see how the Bravery can match the consistency of the first four songs and they struggle with Give In, although the punky Swollen Summer will definitely be a live favourite. The band really seem to excel with the mid tempo funk workouts and this is the case with Public Service Announcement. PSA is easily as funky and danceable as Franz Ferdinand's Matinee, and the repetitive "stop, drop and roll" refrain will make this song stick in your head just as much. Which is a good thing. Out of Line was another really strong new song I heard when I saw them as well, and sounds just as good on record. Like pretty much everything else on the album, it sounds like it was recorded in about 1983 - unoriginal but still really enjoyable. Unconditional was of course the rare-ish EP released a couple of months ago. It rocks like hell (you've heard it advertising the TV show "No Angels" on Channel 4)and is probably the song that sounds the closest to the sound of The Killers. Whereas Brendan Flowers would have made it a cynical pseudo-arrogant song, Endicott makes this sound like a desperate plea for some love and attention like his most obvious influence, at least stylistically, Morrissey. The Ring Song is a sort of ballad and seems a little out of place on the album, sounding very poppy. Rites of Spring and Hot Pursuit are a bit filler though, letting down the overall brilliance of the rest of the album. Original? No, is anything indie does these days original? Good? Yes, absolutely brilliant, much more consistent than the Killers, and if any justice will sell more than them as well. Possible best new bands' album this year? Would be if only for the Bloc Party's record, the sort of album that comes around once every five years. Surprisingly, well worth the hype, and very enjoyable. Buy it.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shimmering with awesome promise, 21 Mar 2005
After hearing "An Honest Mistake" way back in 2003, I knew that this would be a band to listen out for. I waited, and waited and waited, and finally in late 2004, the news of the Bravery album arrived.Formed barely a year ago in their native New York, The Bravery are about to de-flower(s) Killers-obsessed indie nations across the globe. In a world where Hot Fuss seems to be the essential album, musically, The Bravery matches it 12 months on. The album won't dissapoint. Kicking off with the stunning "An Honest Mistake", a tragic tale of post-twin towers love and loss, and then following through with the fantastic "No Breaks", a confession about life slipping out of control, ending with the line "I never know what I should do, can I leave it up to you". Needless to say, after the first listen you'll be hooked. Naturally, The Bravery's mission is to provide us with thourough electro-indie/rock rather than engage us in deep emotional thought, but lyrically, The Bravery are superb. Other tracks to listen out for are "Tyrant", "Fearless" and the fantastic "Unconditional". Without a doubt, The Bravery will become one of, if not THE biggest band of 2005.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Possibly my favorite album ever!, 1 April 2005
By A Customer
I couldnt agree more with the positive reviews i read for this album. I am always a little weary about buying a record based on one amazing single. I first saw the bravery perform on a friday night show, and thankfully recorded it. Mesmorised by Sam Endicott's pleading performance the song grew on me very quickly and when I ordered it as cheaply as i could and once i received it i was already playing it in my car and LOVING some of the lyrics.True- songs like 'hot pursuit', 'give in' and even 'unconditional' really do nothing for me- whereas i cant get enough of 'honest mistake', 'fearless', 'tyrant', 'swollen summer' and 'out of line'. These are for me the best tracks and i am forced to play them as loudly as possible while i drive to work. Since buying this album i have listened to it constantly; the way Endicott sings is so emotional and charged with a desperate melancholy and attitude. It evokes such a positive reaction within me that i dread the day when i finally have heard it too many times. In conclusion, this album is just my cup of tea- it is original, despite some strange connections made to Duran duran and the killers; i personally only hear the bravery, and their unique style; it's an awesome first album.
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