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I've been a fan of The Killers since the beginning. The more I've listened to the album, the more I've grown attached to it. Day & Age accomplishes a rare feat; it takes you away to another place, another state of mind.
I bought Hot Fuss soon afterwards, and I was blown away by the band's fantastic music and meaningful lyrics. Brandon Flowers is a very poetic lyricist. I remember hearing Somebody Told Me on the radio back in 2004.
You can hear the Vegas sound in the music, as well as the desert influences, but it goes much deeper than that. Since then, The Killers have given us many great hits and albums, including the Americana-Arena Rock of Sam's Town, and Sawdust, the solid collection of unreleased songs and B-sides As you can probably imagine, the anticipation of Day & Age was very high for me. From the opening blasting notes of "Losing Touch", to the solemn closing of "Goodnight, Travel Well", The Killers deliver, in my opinion, their best and most solid album to date.
A lot of his lyrics really make you think about things. I've been listening to the album constantly since it came out in November I recommend this album to anyone who is a Killers fan, but also to anyone who just loves good music
It's an ok album at best. Really a huge letdown, hoping they would get back on track after 'sams town'. Oh well, there is always next album I guess. And, the new KOL album is awesome so i will listen to that instead.
"Hot fuss" was an awesome album that was decorated with all the band members' qualities that made most of the songs memorable. But what I found was The Killers trying to sound so 80's by moments like Blondie or The Cure and the problem is that they seem to try so hard to achieve that goal that they forgot all about the way the songs should sound. The killers have this special and unique style to come up with songs that have always been so cool and catchy and cool again. Here are the reasons why. I'm going to go straight to the point with this record. I really hope that next time Brandon Flowers and company makes another pop record if they want but one where they can find their own identity while making the music (e.g. It's important to take into account that when I thought that I assumed that the band would come up with their own techniques and qualities again to realese a pop record. maybe the whole album might be poppier that the other two".
The band plays like they were trying to sound like The Cure back in 1987 when the band realesed the "Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me" record but, they don't sound like the killers at all. Afterwards "Day and Age" is realesed and when I heard the song "Human" I remembered thinking: "cool. It's not a good album in my humble opinion. If I say earlier that this wasn't a good album is because the songs in here have no passion nor attitude whatsoever. Then "Sam's town" came up and showed us that Brandon Flowers had this particular way to rock out too with the band in his own way and I must say that eventhough "Sam's town" wasn't better than "Hot fuss" was still a great record. this is a nice "Pet shop boys" tune. There are good songs here like the singles "human" and "the world where we live in" ("Spaceman" wouldn't been an option for me as a single, it's just too dull and uninteresting by moments) but, honestly most of the album is just 80's pop music made by a great band that doesn't sound so great here. The Sounds as the best example to mention here with their latest album "Crossing the rubicon").
Expect excellent lyrics as wellThe Spaceman (4 stars)The firt time I heard it I put down this song as the usual attempt by well known bands to push a song just because they made it. First the disclaimers: - I am a Killers fan. For me this is one of the few bands right know that can combine toughtful engagins lyrics with excellent instrumentation. with an excellent arrangment of horn or synthetisers in this case. good happy song overall with a good drum support. not limited to the usual sinthetizer, drums, guitar so prevalent today in the alternative turned mainstream bands.For me this is review of the top 3 songs in the album:Human (5 stars)The base guitar chord is amazing and it carries the song from beginning to end with succesive layers of instrumentation that give it a melancholic dance tempo beat.
Brandon Flowers vocal hability is clearly demonstrated in this song, as well as his synthetisers ability (wich I did not know that he played). - I have all their CDs.Having said that I will try to be honest as possible in giving these review. but it does have its value.aside from the story line of the guy who was abducted by the aliens. with the usual excellent Killers lyrics. Pay my respect to grace and virtue.The World We live In (4 stars)Thi song is not the usual Killer fare, but is does carry a very groovy rhythm, vaguely remicing of 80s pop. remicing in a way of early Depeche Mode.
also with a touch of 80s pop.
"Day and Age" is fantastic from start to finish. To call the Killers sell-outs says more about the reviewer's expectations and personal preferences than it does about the band. The album contains 9 pop gems and one slow burner at the end.we have worn the CD out in the player.
Everyone in the family loves this album - the toddler, the five-year old, the seven-year old, my wife, and I. If "sell-outs" (as several reviewers tagged the 'Killers') make music this fantastic, then so be it. The songs are eminently singable and every song has a memorable hook.
Put aside your "expectations" and just listen to the songs and enjoy them. We sing along in the car. My daughter has every word to Spaceman and Human memorized.
But it is great music. In the end, it is pointless and a waste of energy to talk about what a band SHOULD do; makes more sense to critique what a band HAS done.
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