Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3.5/5 Released: October 3, 2006 Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
For months leading up to the release of Sam’s Town, The Killers were mocked for trying to ape some of music’s biggest stars. Lead man Brandon Flowers was too Bowie. The band was too Depeche Mode. And while it’s true that the similarities are there, they do a good enough job of paying homage to their idols without being totally derivative.
As a slap to the face of his critics – which he loves to do – Flowers turns up the kitsch factor here, especially on the title track, where his Bowie-isms are less than subtle. The band however, veers away from the synth-heavy sound and turns towards more of a Queen meets U2… in the ‘80s. Pulsing guitars and bass, and Flowers’ uncanny theatricality are what makes this thing go.
The Killers don’t shy away from the guitars on their second album – ‘Uncle Jonny’ and ‘This River is Wild’ almost (almost) manage to steer clear of the keyboards altogether. But, as the old saying goes, you dance with who brought you: lead single ‘When You Were Young’ rips the synths right out of ‘Mr. Brightside,’ resulting in another mile high chorus.
The Killers are supremely comfortable with what makes them successful, and Sam’s Town is just adventurous enough not to be repetitive. A solid, if not totally mesmerising, second effort.
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