If The Bravery were Irish...

in the 60s it was the Stones v. the Beatles. In the 70s it was Queen v. synthisiszers until they sold out, bastards). In the 80s it was the-who-the-fuck-knows v who-the-fuck-cares. In the 90s it was the as it turned out mediocre Oasis v. the-never-that-big-in-the-first-place Blur. Now its the noughties and in true music fashion we have a media driven rivalry between two similar bands: The bravery v. The Killers. Note The Bravery come first. For the press this has everything. The hard living New Yorkers v. the non-drinking Mormons from Vegas. The rasping guitars of The bravery v. the Fleetwood Mac like, more relaxed pace of the Killers. For me this is not a contest. The Killers get fucked over badly by The New Yorkers. They both may have synths, they both may sound a bit liken the still great New Order but there is a raw energy, a passion that M
ormons seem to lack. From an honest mistgake to the raw energy of No Breaks thru to rights of spring there is a stripped down Jam with synths feel to their album. The Killers on the otherhand, rely on catchiness for popularity. And this has obviously worked. Apart from the Chain-like "Smile Like You Mean It" the album Hot Fuss is too straight, too conservative. Its as if they were following a formula for new Order-influenced pop. They offer nothing that The Bravery dont have in abundance. "Andy you're A Star" is the only other track of note on Hot Fuss.

I've been crucified for sayhing this but it has to be done. Bravery v The Killers? There's only one winner. And it ain't The Killers...