Killers, The - Sam's Town

Year of Release: 2006
Label: Island
Catalog Number: 000722102
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

Some may say this is not progressive. Don't let that rumor ruin your moonlight. This is a concept album of sorts and that alone qualifies it for the grindhouse. So I stand firm on my guilty pleasure. Also, with a name such as The Killers, it's ideal for my favorite holiday: that would be Halloween. While the place they reference isn't in the cornfields of Gatlin, the swamps of Crystal Lake or the streets of Haddonfield, there is something creepy about this storied nondescript city. You'll be on edge when the author's flashbacks come to light and the boogeyman in his closet strikes.

I greatly adored their debut, Hot Fuss. Plus, this neighboring suburb resides in the same borough as my sister Samara. For that reason, I had to get it. I was online and bought it for a trite price out of impulse. While it has some melodic cud to chew on, it's more or less pallid melodrama.

The opener and title track demonstrate countless production qualities and skill, but that alone doesn't save it. The best they have to offer is slightly above average while the remaining aldermen they've elected into office are insipid pundits. The busyness in their meters doesn't make up for an abundance of these missteps either. Then again, I've played it numerous times and don't mind visiting these happily anodyne precincts.

The "Enterlude" and "Exitlude" are clever; but alas, it's not enough to fix this bloody mess.

I did enjoy "Bling (Confession Of A King)." Its glitz is similar to their Billboard toppers: "Somebody Told Me," "Mr. Brightside," "Smile Like You Mean It," and "All These Things That I've Done."

"For Reasons Unknown" is all right, too. It has the sensibilities of The Beatles; only it smash-cuts into Big Wreck.

"Read My Mind" is a four-star general due to its regal singing and the ecstatically syncopated beats from their percussive detachment.

Alternatively, "Uncle Jonny" is totally sleek since the guitars are quite cheeky. Moreover, the bass caught slashing its fleshy tissue is effing fantastic.

In a last ditch effort, they score handily in the end?

"Why Do I Keep Counting?" is an original piece carved from Meat Loaf's juiciest gristle.

On the repeat, I had a nicer stay and could better appreciate this roomy suite. Its abstract themes are loosely tied together, but they excel as a whole. Regrettably, their vocals are sometimes lazy.

As a surrogate merit in lieu of a generous tip, I must admit that the compositions do have a certain marketability. It's just that they're not as tight as some of their more radio-friendly singles from the past, which is probably why those - and not these - have dominated the airwaves.

This might be a step in the wrong direction, but these hit men choose a move that's closer to progressive. At times, this ticklish screwdriver touches upon Queen, Moody Blues, and Bob Dylan. With influences such as these, who can complain? As long as they don't rush into the next release, they should be back in the game.

To be fair, the album has its moments past track four, but its deliverance seems a little hasty. I guess this is what you get when you sell your soul to the mainstream devil.

These days, it seems as if bands fear that fans will be lost if they take too long and that they will desiccate their well if their choice cuts are used. In turn, they try to hang onto their select material for as long as humanly possible; making it hibernate for future-dated resuscitation. Ultimately, they bite off their nose to spite their face and risk premature imperil. Hopefully, they correct for their mistake and club a barnburner out of the park the next time they step up to the plate.

I really like this band. Actually, I was thrilled to see them showcased on Saturday Night Live. With furious trepidation, I dread that this album will relegate them to the minor leagues.

It's rare to see something like The Who's Who's Next; where every song is golden. If there were a contemporary band to do it, I believe this is the one. My criticism has more to do with repulsion of their spoiled sanguinity than it has to do with any perceived failure.

This is eighties music sans drum machines and computer loops. Where they've been incorporated, they're used sparingly. All around, this is a bonus, but I would have liked to see more of their trademarked goodies stuffed into the sack. Suffice to say, the deficit of sonorous building block is higher than expected.

If you're a fan of The Killers, I hate to inform you that they've botched their opportunity to deliver something on par with the debut. Add them to the pile of one-hit wonders and chalk this up as the sorry aftermath in a long line of bands who have tried but were unable to defend their title. It's both amazing and sad to acknowledge and hear this when it wasn't too long ago when they were it! And by this, I don't mean John Carpenter or Stephen King's assailants.

[Not Prog Rock in the definitive sense, but I felt compelled to review my guilty pleasure. Unlike Rick Dees' "Disco Duck" or C.W. McCall's "Convoy" (perhaps they are closer to Frank Zappa, Lenny Kravitz, or Faith No More); this group definitely has the potential to be an exception to the rule.]

Tracklisting:
Sam's Town (4:06) / Enterlude (0:49) / When You Were Young (3:40) / Bling (Confession Of A King) (4:08) / For Reasons Unknown (3:32) / Read My Mind (4:06) / Uncle JOnny (4:25) / Bones (3:47) / My List (4:08) / This River Is Wild (4:38) / Why Do I Keep Counting? (4:24) / Exitlude (2:26)

Musicians:
Brandon Flowers - vocals, keyboards
Mark Stoermer - bass
Ronnie Vannucci - drums
Dave Keuning - guitar

Guests:

Corlene Byrd - background vocals
Louix XIV - background vocals
Maryam Haddad - strings
Adrina Hanson - strings
Neeraj Khajanchi - trombone
Tommy Marth - saxophone
Tristan Moyer - strings

Discography:
Hot Fuss (2004)
Sam's Town (2006)
Sawdust (2007)


Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: December 11th 2007
Reviewer: Joshua "Prawg Dawg" Turner
Score:
Artist website: www.thekillersmusic.com
Hits: 2674
Language: english