2008 Woodie Awards
Review: The Killers' new album 'Sam's Town' hit miss
Damian Boudreau
Issue date: 10/18/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
I can only imagine that it's a ton of pressure to release a new album following a hugely popular one. The new album must meet the expectations of an increasingly bored pop culture - quick to move on to the next one-hit wonder. That's definitely the issue facing The Killer's, whose first album, 2004's Hot Fuss, was a monster hit. Featuring songs such as the catchy (annoying?) "Somebody Told Me," and "Mr. Brightside," the album went on to sell 5 million copies.
Their follow up, "Sam's Town," is different, progressive, and will probably disappoint fans expecting an album of the same caliber as Hot Fuss.
The opening song on the album, "Sam's Town," is an epic fueled with Springsteen-infused lyrics, strings, and heavy on electric guitar. "I took a bullet and I looked inside/and running through my veins an American masquerade/I still remember Grandma Dixie's wake/I never really known anybody that died before/The white and blue upon a birthday cake/My brother he was born on the Fourth of July and that's all." It works.
The second "song" is 49 seconds long. Can you say filler?
"When You Were Young," echoes Coldplay. This is the song you're more than likely to hear on the radio until your ears bleed.
"Bling (Confession of a King)" begins with front man Brandon Flowers doing his best Bono imitation. The song sounds a little like 80s U2, with a heavy, up-tempo that melds guitar and bass. "For Reasons Unknown" is probably the worst piece on the album.
The album recovers with the up-tempo "Read My Mind," which combines Flowers' strong vocals with synth - and is a damn good song.
"Uncle Jonny" is a little slower, light on the synthesizers, and again, heavy on electric guitar. The mingling of trumpets and the disco beat of "Bones" just didn't work.
The bottom line is that while probably not destined for the same mega success as Hot Fuss, I recommend this album.
Other recommendations: "The Note," Escapist; "Looking for an Exit," Seven Degrees from Center.
Their follow up, "Sam's Town," is different, progressive, and will probably disappoint fans expecting an album of the same caliber as Hot Fuss.
The opening song on the album, "Sam's Town," is an epic fueled with Springsteen-infused lyrics, strings, and heavy on electric guitar. "I took a bullet and I looked inside/and running through my veins an American masquerade/I still remember Grandma Dixie's wake/I never really known anybody that died before/The white and blue upon a birthday cake/My brother he was born on the Fourth of July and that's all." It works.
The second "song" is 49 seconds long. Can you say filler?
"When You Were Young," echoes Coldplay. This is the song you're more than likely to hear on the radio until your ears bleed.
"Bling (Confession of a King)" begins with front man Brandon Flowers doing his best Bono imitation. The song sounds a little like 80s U2, with a heavy, up-tempo that melds guitar and bass. "For Reasons Unknown" is probably the worst piece on the album.
The album recovers with the up-tempo "Read My Mind," which combines Flowers' strong vocals with synth - and is a damn good song.
"Uncle Jonny" is a little slower, light on the synthesizers, and again, heavy on electric guitar. The mingling of trumpets and the disco beat of "Bones" just didn't work.
The bottom line is that while probably not destined for the same mega success as Hot Fuss, I recommend this album.
Other recommendations: "The Note," Escapist; "Looking for an Exit," Seven Degrees from Center.
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