New album proves Bravery only gets you so far

Indie. Post-Punk. Art-Rock. New Wave Revivalism. It doesn't really matter what you call it. In a scene where it’s commonplace for bands to sport women’s pants and wear eyeliner in order to get a better view of the ’80s high life, finding an act that can separate itself sonically from its peers can feel like struggling through a book of Where’s Waldo. In many ways, highly touted New York rockers, The Bravery, fit the stereotypical indie sound of muffled vocals, garage electronics, nimble bass lines and wiry guitars. In other ways, they don’t.

Since forming two years ago in New York’s Chinatown, the five-piece fronted by lead vocalist Sam Endicott have polished a brand of heavy electric, synthesized music that will surely draw comparisons to bands like The Killers, Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes when their self-titled debut drops in stores March 29. The album opens with “Honest Mistake,” a catchy song fueled by techno dance beats and a steady bass line. Together they hint at why The Bravery will soon enter the record collection of club DJs everywhere.

The dance motif permeates the album and, for the most part, it’s a progressive step forward for a genre that often relies on static guitar riffs and deadbeat vocals copied by artists time and time again. Unfortunately, such ingenuity only goes so far on this CD, as the band reverts back to ’70s disco sounds reminiscent of the Village People and Saturday Night Fever on songs like “Public Service Announcement.”

The Bravery is a band entering the proverbial scene a few decades too late. It's not that the record is bad; in fact, many parts of it are quite enjoyable. From an artsy perspective, the best song on the LP is “Tyrant,” a slow and ominous love ballad that craftily blends multiple guitar layers with very distinct, laser-like keyboard sounds.

By and large, however, the album leaves little for the ear that hasn't already been done before, which is okay if you're satisfied with all the retro-rock on radio these days.

Although The Bravery’s live performance is not as tight as their album, expect to see them sporting that traditional rock star swagger as they bring a piece of New York City to the Cat’s Cradle this Friday.