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Review: Jack Foley
THE New York revival shows no sign of letting up, it seems, if
the current crop of new bands is anything to go by.
The Bravery are the latest bright lights to emerge from the Big
Apple, combining the post-punk sensibilities of The Strokes and
StellaStarr* with the disco-roots of The Rapture.
There's also elements of the brilliant guitar sound of Modest
Mouse as well as the all-round brilliance of The Killers, making
this outfit worthy of the hype surrounding them.
The Bravery first started to attract attention following the
release of their excellent Unconditional EP last year,
before current single, An Honest Mistake, really set
tongues wagging.
Both emerge as highlights of the album, combining some killer
hooks and expertly crafted guitar riffs with Sam Endicott's raw
vocal style.
Unconditional, especially, could well become a long-term
anthem for the band, with its energetic disco beats providing
a neat bedding for the guitar loops that run rife throughout.
But there is plenty more to admire, not least in the endearing
electronic sound of The Ring Song, during which comparisons
with the vocal style of The Strokes is all but guaranteed.
And Swollen Summer, which emerges as a triumphant rock-out
that could well serve as one of the signature tunes for the coming
months.
The organs feature strongly again on another of the album's undisputed
highlights, Fearless, which is also notable for its deliciously
malingering bass-line and another teasing set of vocals from Endicott.
With lyrics such as 'something wicked this way comes' and guitar
solos that really showcase the band at their breathtaking best,
it would be foolish to write this band off as mere copycats.
For while they may clearly be influenced by the distinct post-punk
sound that is sweeping New York at the moment, they have enough
about them to ensure that when the euphoria dies down, they'll
be among the bands still standing.
We would urge an Unconditional surrender to their many charms..
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