So Indie Britain (perhaps even Mainstream Britain) are in the midst of a love affair with Mr Flowers et al. And Casablancas and co. are back in the studio and only (reportedly) five weeks away from completing their much anticipated third album. So how dare these quiffed, kohl-eyed upstarts charge in and upset the momentum!
But, that's The Bravery all over. Bigged-up by the music press and hailed as the new Indie darlings in late 2004, The Bravery have stormed into Britain claiming every bit of the hype surrounding them is true! And if you choose to disagree, they'll see you outside, round the back, sharpish!
While this eponymous debut is never going to be hailed as one of rocks' finest first offerings, it certainly gives the current competition a run for its money. Let's be clear - nothing on this album will set you on fire like say the first time you heard 'Last Nite' or the elation you feel when they play 'Mr Brightside' at the end of the night in your regular Indie haunt. But there are more than a few tracks on this album that will get right under your skin and take hold without you really understanding why. The comparisons with The Killers are easy to comprehend, but the finished article isn't nearly so slick. This album is grainier, grittier and sounds like, and probably was, recorded in one of their garages. The lyrics are darker, the vocals coarse and the early 80's electro-pop synths perhaps just a bit too 'obvious' in places. But would you really want this album to be anything more? Sometimes things can be, well, just too smooth.
If the current single 'Honest Mistake' isn't reason enough to give this offering a chance, then tracks 'Fearless', 'Public Service Announcement' and debut single 'Unconditional' certainly are. The album is fast-paced, punchy and more than a little bit cheeky! (Can someone please tell me if Sam really does use the word 'treacle' in the chorus to 'Fearless'?!).
The Bravery certainly have the trousers alright. They're just perhaps still a few sizes too big!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I've just got myself a copy of this and still getting into it but liked what I've heard, they seem to have a bit of the retro 80's feel to them a little like The Killers but in a totally different way.
COOOEEE 25.03.2005 22:43
Well I had to reach for my dictionary when I saw the word eponymous. Nobody else has mentioned this so I guess I am the only one to shout what do you mean. I know now of course. At least I knew it was a music review and not a film Lol even though I have never listened to them. Fionaxx
![Bravery, The [Digipak] - Bravery](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/normal/906/product-5867906.jpg)
![Overall user rating: Bravery, The [Digipak] - Bravery](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars40.gif)
very helpful by (4%):
helpful by (96%):
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
