Each day in December, I’ll be reflecting back on a song from the 2000’s. The decade saw the return of post-punk and the popularization of folk music, all while some of music’s biggest acts gained their indie footing. Thankfully, it’s a period that I can look back at fondly without cringing. #31DaysOf2000sSongs
These guys were from my hometown. And they say this about New York City: if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere, Well, that certainly worked out for The Bravery. They started out as scrappy, hard-working musicians. Handing out CDs, playing in small clubs and plastering posters all over the Lower East Side. They eventually earned a residency at Arlene’s Grocery, produced an EP and opened for Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They hit their stride during what was probably the height of the post-punk revival scene in the city. Fortunately, global success didn’t take too long to find the band — and a big reason for that is “An Honest Mistake”.
It had elements of Interpol’s dark edges, The Killers’ new wave vengeance, and The Strokes’ garage rock sound. That opening synth hook is irresistible. It pulls you in, and before you can try to release yourself from it, another synth hook layers on top of it with this soaring motif. We’re now sandwiched by two slabs of reimagined 80’s synth pop. But the guitar solo at the 3:10 mark give the song some extra muscle just as the track is about to wrap up. It ensured “An Honest Mistake” was just as much a rock song as it is a dance song. However you want to categorize it, this wonderfully catchy song is one that I will forever associate with 2005.
“Don't look at me that way. It was an honest mistake.”