The Killers' third collection of new material, 'Day And Age', is said by frontman Brandon Flowers to be 'a continuation' of the concept used for their second album, 'Sam's Town'. Produced by Stuart Price - who the band came across after hecreated the 'Thin White Duke' remix of 'Mr Brightside' - this is their first original release in two years. The distinctive Paul Normansell-designed artwork that houses 'Day And Age' has received praise from many critics including MTV, while the album itself includes the single 'Human'.
Track Listing
Losing Touch - Stuart Price, The Killers, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole, Tommy Marth
Human - Stuart Price, The Killers, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
Spaceman - Stuart Price, The Killers, Robert Root, Ted Sablay, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
Joy Ride - Stuart Price, The Killers, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole, Daniel de los Reyes, Tommy Marth
A Dustland Fairytale - The Killers, Stuart Price, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
This Is Your Life - The Killers, Stuart Price, Robert Root, Ted Sablay, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
I Can't Stay - Stuart Price, The Killers, Robert Root, Ted Sablay, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole, Daniel de los Reyes, Tommy Marth
Neon Tiger - The Killers, Stuart Price, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
The World We Live In - The Killers, Stuart Price, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
Goodnight, Travel Well - The Killers, Stuart Price, Robert Root, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
A Crippling Blow - Stuart Price, The Killers, Robert Root, Ted Sablay, Dave Emery, Alex Dromgoole
Success came fast for The Killers, maybe too fast. The impossibly hooky “Mr Brightside” from their debut, coupled with faultless synth anthem “Somebody Told Me”, turned them into the most ubiquitous band in the world overnight and had them batting away Glastonbury headline offers before the Hot Fuss campaign was even over. Sam's Town followed all too quickly, trying to stylistically catch up with their status as stadium rock giants in waiting, but like their debut was really only carried by a couple of strong singles. Which would make this the perfect--or necessary--time to deliver the masterpiece the world expects. By shamelessly cherry-plundering the number 1 acts of the 80s not only have they managed to dramatically shunt the concept of filler from the record, but every track acts like it's performing last on Top Of The Pops circa 1987. Result. From the sparkling Pet Shop Boys obedience of “Human” to the massive Human League via Starship chorus of “Spaceman”, the Paul Simon’s Graceland as done by Talking Heads on “This Is Your Life” to the bang-on Cure desolation of “Goodnight, Travel Well” they barely put a foot wrong, though the saxophone ‘n’ steel drum funk of “Joy Ride” does momentarily test the patience. Their mission to become the next U2 continues apace and infiltrates most nooks on Day & Age, see especially Brandon’s very best Bono on “A Dustland Fairytale” and “This Is Your Life”. Third time lucky--they really do come very close to that masterpiece. --James Berry
How The Killers Have Grown
The first thing I will say about this album is that you have to give it 3 or 4 listens before you can really appreciate how good it is. When I first listened to it I thought I might be disapointed as none of the tracks seemed to stand out to me as they had done instantly on Hot Fuss and Sam's Town.
However after hearing it a few times I can say that this is without a doubt The Killers best album yet - and that is saying something.
What is new in this album is that a lot of the songs are written about the personal lives of members of the band. For example "A Dustland Fairytale" which tells the story of how Brandon Flowers' parent's met and his mother's battle with cancer.
This makes the album very full of emotion which is something that The Killers havn't really done before, and they have pulled it off brilliantly. The Singles "Human" and "Spaceman" are both very good tracks, more in the style of earlier Killers work. But the true beauty of this album is, as I said, in the slower, more emotional tracks. My personal favorite is probably "A Dustland Fairytale". I also really like "The World We Live In" and "I Can't Stay".
If you are a fan of the Killers then no doubt you will already have bought this album. If not then I would strongly recommend it as there is something on here for everyone.
One Final Point: The Track "Goodnight, Travel Well" is truly breathtaking. It was written about the death of Dave Keunig's mother and it really captures the emotions of anyone who has lost a loved one. The Album is worth it just to hear this song. You won't regret getting this Album.
Good Album Def Grows
After listening to this i would say you need to give it a chance, the killers have always changed their style by album and i would say this is a bit of sams town and hot fuss, it grows on you the more you play it so give it a chance, i think it will brilliant live and can't wait to go and see them
Nearly perfect
OK I won't review each track as there are enough crits below but...
In a nutshell, this is musically brilliant, as original as ever, the production is brilliant, Brandon's voice is a as strong and lilting as ever and the album is more pleasing to the ear than the slightly hard edged sound of Sam's Town. Just one clear fault. The songs need to have a more coherent narrative at times. Too often Mr F starts on one theme/point, heads off down some other poetic highway, and ends up somewhere totally unrecognisable from, well the previous line not to mention the beginning of the song. This is esspresso fuelled lyrical originality and sometimes when there's a bit more repetition, ala The World We Live In, it's more effective. If they'd nailed that it would truly be a world-wide classic but it's still a stunning acomplishment and great to listen to.
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