The Bravery

Retro trends, like most fads, follow a predictable pattern. The first purveyors of a nostalgia-friendly sound seem fresh in a comfortably familiar way, and the affection they earn brings other artists of their ilk to prominence. At a certain point, though, the number of bands using the formula exceeds the...

By Michael Roberts

March 31, 2005

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Retro trends, like most fads, follow a predictable pattern. The first purveyors of a nostalgia-friendly sound seem fresh in a comfortably familiar way, and the affection they earn brings other artists of their ilk to prominence. At a certain point, though, the number of bands using the formula exceeds the intrinsic appeal of the approach itself, leading to an inevitable and well-deserved backlash -- which is why the members of the Bravery find themselves in a precarious position. Tastemakers have predicted mega-stardom for singer/ guitarist Sam Endicott's New York-based combo, which is joined on this bill by Ash and Alaska!, and maybe it will hit such heights. Yet The Bravery, the outfit's debut full-length, is so incredibly indebted to the early-'80s style already being plied by acts ranging from Interpol to the Killers that the hype could easily curdle. Predicting which fate awaits the group is impossible at this point, but the level of mimicry inherent in "An Honest Mistake" and "Tyrant," neither of which can be even superficially described without making direct (and tiresome) references to performers from the past, doesn't bode well for long-term success. As a result, the time is now for the Bravery to cash in on then.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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