Influence is the greatest catalyst for art. If one person wasn’t influenced by another, art probably wouldn’t exist. Influence provides the inspiration, the passion and love for the craft. Every artist remembers the moment their lives were changed by someone else’s work. But at what point does the influence become a direct tribute?
The Bravery is in a precarious position, as most young rock bands are. Their first album was part of the neo new wave revival of the early 2000s. Their second album was a more conventional modern rock record that didn’t produce as many dividends as its predecessor, so the original sound is back. Stir the Blood is a collection of post-punk jams with a rock n’ roll backbeat. Sam Endicott’s voice is melodramatic and monotone at the same time. The music is downcast but also danceable. If this sounds familiar to you, it should. Stir the Blood is dangerously close to being a New Order tribute album.
To the average rock fan, Stir the Blood will be something brand new. The Bravery is no longer flirting with post punk and new wave, they have embraced it entirely. The rousing waves of synthesizer and Endicott’s muted vocals on “Adored” are unlike anything on conventional rock radio. It’s interesting and dangerous, and he enunciates “bucket of blood” with relish.
Beyond the harsh Canadian saturated waves of modern rock radio, other listeners will be less impressed. The Bravery is a competent facsimile of a much better band. It’s damn near impossible to listen to this record without immediately thinking of New Order.
It’s easy to make an argument in the band’s defense, because New Order is a great band. Stir the Blood is The Bravery’s third record. The debut is supposed to drip with influence, but by the third album, you need your own sound. A successful band is able to take their influences and synthesize them into something of their own. The Bravery needs to find its own voice. To quote the English teacher from the The Sure Thing: “You express your ideas very clearly, but there is not enough of you.” Stir the Blood is one of the best sounding records of the year. The production is good, the musicianship is excellent, and the hooks are strong. Unfortunately, Sam Endicott is too busy trying to channel Bernard Sumner to create his own persona. There’s something underneath that stylish exterior, he just needs to set it free.
The Bravery’s core fanbase will love this album, because it has more of what theyliked the first time around. If you weren’t impressed in 2004, this album won’t bring you to the fold. Stir the Blood is a pleasant diversion, but when push comes to shove, you are better off with a copy of Substance.