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THE KILLERS
"Day & Age" (Island/Vertigo; 2008)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
My first listen to this disc had me pointing out the new wave references more than the rock ones. It's quite different from "Sam's Town." It's good but in a way that pulls you from their previous sound toward a new one. The Killers claim that this is a more playful record than their "Sam's Town" was.
If you've never heard The Killers take to heart that they are from Las Vegas, Nevada; that should help when you start listening. Sometimes a song will have an airy beginning but then it will kick into a funky groove and then end with some odd guitar. Just picture a stage show behind the music or use them as a soundtrack to a movie. Either it's an experimental ride
The vocals are simple and almost pop sounding; the drums are unique when given the chance. The guitar is weird but cool enough to make you want to keep listening. It's never at the forefront of a song but it's original sounding and that makes this disc odd and a listening experience.
You can hear piano, horns and a saxophone on a bunch of tracks. You might think U2 helped out a few songs, too, although The Killers list their influences for this CD as Elton John, David Bowie and Lou Reed. If you listen for any amount of time you can spot the references.
Download these: "Losing Touch," and "Joy Ride."
The Killers: Brandon Flowers — vocals, keyboards, bass guitar; Dave Keuning — electric guitar, vocals; Mark Stoermer — bass guitar, vocals, electric guitar; Ronnie Vannucci — drums, percussion.
For more information, check out http://www.thekillersmusic.com or http://www.myspace.com/thekillers.
"Sam's Town" (Island; 2006)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
I've never listened to The Killers. I tried to get around to it but I heard they sounded like this or sounded like that and any reviewer worth his salt just cues it up, absorbs it and then pens an opinion. The Killers have a post-punk revival sound that's coupled with an alternative slant. The vocals are good and Brandon Flowers has a signature sound, although, sometimes he sounds like Robert Smith of The Cure.
Some songs have a unique guitar intro causing you to lean in for a closer inspection. After that the guitar is all over the place meaning it doesn't just stay in one place but it can be strong and funky but also mellow and soothing. There are some keyboards in the background that sound like the '80s did; the bass guitar grooves right along with the drums. There isn't too much straying from the traditional sound of alternative except the interesting guitar.
If you haven't ever listened to The Killers then I've listed the best songs from this disc to help you get started; after that you can venture on yourself. Their influences for this album are U2, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers plus "The Boss."
The killers: "Sam's Town," "When You Were
Young," "Read My Mind," and "Uncle Jonny."
The Killers: Brandon Flowers — vocals, keyboards, bass guitar; Dave Keuning —
electric guitar, vocals; Mark Stoermer — bass guitar, vocals, electric guitar;
Ronnie Vannucci — drums, percussion.
For more information, check out
http://www.thekillersmusic.com or
http://www.myspace.com/thekillers.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2010 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
18 Nov 2024 12:46:17 -0500.
