The Killers - Sam's Town
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Music CD Cover
Artist: The KillersBrand: Baker & Taylor
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2006-10-03
Music Label: Island
Product features:
- KILLERS THE SAM`S TOWN
- Sam's Town
- Enterlude
- When You Were Young
- Bling (Confession of a King)
- For Reasons Unknown
- Read My Mind
- Uncle Jonny
- Bones
- My List
- This River Is Wild
- Why Do I Keep Counting?
- Exitlude
Free Music Notes for Sam's Town
Free Music Review: The Killers Are Back and Better Than Before
Hit: 5 Stars
I have listened through the 40+ minute Sam's Town album 5-6 times and each time it gets better. I wanted to give it a good listen through in order to be able to accurately review it.
I have read several professional reviews (and amatuer ones) that want to bring Springsteen comparisons. I, frankly, don't get that. Maybe they are referring to the lyrical imagery of the roads, small towns--the image of America, which is so prominent in this album versus the Brit-inspired sound of Hot Fuss. Other than that, The Killers are very different and original.
The album opens with Sam's Town. It is a great opener with a short drum roll, and right into some very strong vocals, guitars, and percussion. I could see this being a single. It has a strong sense of patriotic imagery with lyrics like "Red white and blue upon a birthday cake, And my brother, he was born on the fourth of the July..." Flowers even seems to take a stab at the critics--though maybe only coincidental--when he says "And I am sick of all my judges."
The next track, Enterlude, is questionable at best. It is a 48-second acoustic track that appears to be more of a gimic track than an actual song. The Exitlude track at the end is just as questionable, though it does add a little bit more with background vocals and some percussion. To me, a $11.00 album should never have songs under 2-3 minutes. These two tracks are unique, nonetheless, and are in sync with The Killers' overall style.
When You Were Young is the safe first single. I actually think Sam's Town, Bling (Confession of a King), and Bones would have been better, more unique first singles. The guitars are strong throughout, overwhelming all other instruments, with the exception of the use of some synthesizer. Very good commercial song, not that much unlike Hot Fuss' Somebody Told Me.
Bling (Confession of a King), is one of my favorites of the new album and I think one that is overlooked quite a bit. Flowers starts with basically an acoutic-synthesizer intro and it goes right into fast paced guitar and drums. The guitar hook in the chorus is quite addicting and the song is just a real standout and pure Killers.
For Reasons Unknown is a strong song--what some may consider filler between the top songs on the album--but what I consider a great song nonetheless. It appears to be about lost love and is one of the few "love songs" on the album. Again, Flowers starts in a slow, deliberate acoustic manner, and it quickly shifts to a fast-paced song.
Read My Mind is an okay song, nothing spectacular. It is basically the "other love song". With lyrics like "Breakin' out of this two-star town..." you can tell it is kind of a "go your own seperate ways" song.
Uncle Jonny is a stand-out song on the album and cleverly original. How can it not be a good song with an opening of "When everybody else refrained, My uncle Johnny did cocaine"? It actually reminded me of a song maybe Tom Petty would have done in the '80's. It has some very good instrumentation and vocals.
Bones is supposed to be the second single. I don't agree with that, but I do agree it is a great song. Instead of it being a "love song", it is a "lust song". With lyrics describing bones rubbing against bones, you can clearly see their intention. The vocals are some of the best as is the instrument playing. Definate hit!
My List is not one of my favorites. It does have a tendency (after multiple listenings) of sounding like some of the other songs on the album and is just not unique enough. It's not bad, but it could be better. The lyrics and music just aren't The Killers at their best.
This River Is Wild is a favorite. It is a fast-paced song and different than a lot of typical Killers's music. It has some surprising lyrics in it--I'll leave it at that. Very good chorus as well.
Why Do I Keep Counting? is another favorite. It has strong vocals and instruments. The chorus is infectious "Help me get down, I can make it, I'll make it down". The band, like on so many songs, seems to be having a good time and letting you know it.
Since I already mentioned Exitlude earlier, I won't review it, other than to say it is just like Enterlude, but a little longer.
Overall, this is a superb sophmore effort from The Killers. If you liked, Hot Fuss, you will definately like Sam's Town (though Flowers seems to have given up--though not entirely--his faux British-like accent, which doesn't really affect the album at all). You will have to listen to it all the way through several times before some of the songs will catch on. But you won't be disappointed--this is outstanding music from The Killers.
Sam's Town Poster
Import edition of the 2006 sophomore release from the hugely successful band from Las Vegas features one bonus track: 'Where The White Boys Dance'. It's been a long wait but a new Killer's album has finally appeared on the horizon, with preliminary reports suggesting they've dropped the fixation with English based Indie Rock n Roll to concentrate on a more homespun sound (having heard "Hot Fuss" it may surprise you to learn that they are actually Americans hailing from Las Vegas). With songs taking their cues from, amongst others, Springsteen, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, U2 and Iggy Pop this new musical offering should be ace. Island.The Killers five-million-selling debut, 2004's Hot Fuss, saw the stylish Las Vegas quartet mining inspiration from its favorite '80s British acts Duran Duran, the Cure, and the Smiths. On its follow-up, the group turns its focus homeward. First there's the album title, Sam's Town, which pays tribute to the old-school local casino where the band got its start. Then there's the music inside, a collection of windswept rockers in the vein of Bruce Springsteen that leave the indie-disco vibe of "Mr. Brightside" in the desert dust. Working with producers Alan Moulder and Flood (best known for their work with U2, Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails), everything here sounds bigger and shinier, with full-blown strings and choirs coloring epics like "When You Were Young" and "The River Is Wild." Coming soon to a stadium near you. --Aidin Vaziri
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