I'm as nostalgic as the next guy. I like reruns of Cheers, “Take on Me” by A-Ha, and Sixteen Candles. The 80s were scored perfectly by plenty of one-hit wonders and some superior groups that stuck around long enough to occupy a permanent home in my CD collection even today, not the least of which being Depeche Mode, The Pet Shop Boys and Duran Duran.
New Yorkers, The Bravery clearly love the 80s, too. So much so that they devoted their debut album to the sort of New Wave vibes that made the decade such great musical fun. Unfortunately, their first effort isn't good enough to inspire repeat listens of the whole album. A few singles, perhaps.
The album starts out strong with the highly danceable disco infusion "Honest Mistake". After that, it’s a hodge-podge of same-y songs that never seem to set themselves apart from any of the others, with the exception of "Tyrant". It’s a synth-filled track that slows the pace down enough to allow the listener to catch a break among 10 other breakneck tunes. After 4-5 listens to the entire album, it really is hard to find discernable differences between all but a couple of songs on it. The filter that Sam Endicott's voice is transformed through is passable for “Honest Mistake”, but by the 10th song, it seems tedious and contrived.
It would be easy to dismiss The Bravery as derivative of 80's New Wave pioneers, or even The Killers for that matter, if they weren't so maddeningly close to producing something remarkable. The programming and synth work make for a great complement to the danceable rock riffing and lively drumming that canvasses the disc. But the album is just too unfocused to be taken as seriously as other recent releases of similar ilk. The band's talent is palpable. Their patience to make a distinctive, interesting album is not.
There is far too much fine music being made today. So much so that the rare moments we have to immerse ourselves in music must be spent wisely. If you're looking for throwback tracks to the 80s, get yourself "Honest Mistake", and then check out The Kaiser Chiefs' fine debut Employment.
El Bicho has his own take on the album here. I recommend reading it as well.
More music and other stuff at The BM Rant.
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