A Brilliant Mistake is a full-length album by American alternative rock band Tsunami, released in 1997.

[7] The Washington Post wrote that "Tsunami still doesn't compose outgoing melodies, but the band's control of mood and texture has become formidable.

"[7] CMJ New Music Monthly called the album "heady and beautiful," and praised Jenny Toomey's "rich, liquid voice.

"[8] Nashville Scene called the album the band's best, writing that "the instrumentation on A Brilliant Mistake is a remarkable achievement—an absorption of some of the prettier sounds of the 'post-rock' movement while retaining a fundamentally aggro-punk edge.

"[9] The Courier-Journal wrote that "Tsunami hasn't forgotten how to write challenging pop songs, and Toomey's voice remains one of indie rock's most beautiful instruments.