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Sam's Town by The Killers (US) (CD, Oct-2006, Island (Label))
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On the 2006 follow-up to their wildly successful debut, HOT FUSS, the Killers' continue their torrid affair with1980s New Wave, but manage to incorporate the sounds of that era, particularly heavy use of synthesizers, more seamlessly into the mix. This is due, at least in part, to the presence of veteran producers Flood and Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, U2), who help to make the tracks on SAM'S TOWN both brighter and edgier than earlier Killers tunes. While the Las Vegas-based act's Britpop-influenced songs are still marked by Brandon Flower's emotive vocals and bold synth lines, Dave Keuning's guitar riffs are amped up on much of the record, as exemplified by the urgent single "When We Were Young," which easily stands as one of the quartet's finest tunes. Other highlights of this brooding album are the dramatic "Bones" and the yearning title track, songs that prove that the Killers may have unforeseen substance lurking under their carefully rendered style.Read full review
‘Sam’s Town’ is The Killers’ follow-up to 2004’s ‘Hot Fuss.’ That latter album was quite the monster throughout the world with rich production values – showing enormous vision and competency on the part of the band and its production team – that clearly showed how deeply The Killers were in thrall to British influences as diverse as The Fall, U2, and Oasis. But, had ‘Hot Fuss’ been nothing more than an imitative and/or derivative paean to Britpop, it would likely have died like an unwanted hooker on the streets of Las Vegas. But, the music – while familiar – was part of an atmospheric aural vehicle that carried dense, thoughtful narratives about relationships and their demands and responsibilities. The explosive success of ‘Hit Fuss’ resulted in The Killers becoming a world-wide phenomenon that was heavy rotation on both sides of the pond. Among the events the band had as campaign streamers were Glastonbury, Live 8, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with David Letterman, Top of the Pops as well as a host of edgier shows; quite a step ahead for a band that was formed in 2002. Along the way the band has gained some notoriety for what might be referred to as rock star bravado. Between claims that the follow-up album would be "one of the best albums in the past twenty years," to critical, caustic comments about other bands, some have wondered 1) is the band full of themselves and 2) can they deliver an equally strong second offering. I’m here to say that the answers to these questions are “Yes,” and “possibly no.” While ‘Sam’s Town’ does contain some strong insightful observations on life, music and the cost of stepping out on the notional global stage, when one views the CD as a whole, it is less consistent in song quality. There is also a decided shift in some of the underlying foundations from which this band draws its inspiration. Where ‘Hot Fuss’ was the band’s view of Britpop, “Sam’s Town’ has a strong element of American influence. This is most obvious in “When You Were Young,” and “This River is Wild;” both hark to the wall-of-sound thunder of ‘Born to Run.’ There are also nods to Bon Jovi in “Uncle Jonny,” which – while coming down against cocaine – takes a somewhat sympathetic view of the abuser. After several listens, I had to conclude that the band was talking about someone they know. The overall album is a bit of a concept product, too. The title song addresses the issue of success, with its chorus “You know I see London, I see Sam's Town/holds/pulls my hand and lets my hair down/Rolls the world right off my shoulder/I see London, I see Sam's Town couplet “I’ve seen London,” a retrospective view of what success entails. The next nine songs are contained within a song cycle structure that starts and finishes with “Enterlude” and “Exitlude,” respectively. They set the stage – in tone and content quite similar to the works of Ray Davies – for the aforementioned nine songs that follow the band’s penchant for analytical study about relationships. However, whereas ‘Hot Fuss’ was about interpersonal relationships, “Sam’s Town’ addresses the more problematic issue of being in rock ‘n’ roll. This is not to say that you will be listening to a concept album. The songs are not linked in that manner. (So, it is not Endless Wire/Wire and Glass!). But, you are aware that Flowers et al have been doing some thinking about whom and what they are. The problem I’m faced with is that the issue remains unresolved as to whether the bRead full review
The Killers' follow up to Hot Fuss isn't what many expected and so I think they will lose some of those fans who want more of that heated, fast pop and fresh sound that the Killers completely embraced on the first record. However, Sam's Town is a solid record. It flows when played in it's entirety and has songs that can stand on their own, "Read My Mind", "Bling" (my personaly fav), and the title track "Sam's Town" are perfect examples of such. Much has been made about this record not being as good as the first or not being as catchy as the first. My first impressions of Hot Fuss were not favorable. It took a well-meaning best friend to keep playing it whenever we were driving for the songs to start to click with me. Sam's Town is different for me, maybe because my expectations weren't as high as others, and also because I hoped this band would show more edge, more teeth, because they have the talent and the song writing chops to be something better in the world of rock and roll-- and the Killers achieve all of this on Sam's Town-- much to my delight. Maybe this isn't 'one of the greatest records to be made' in the last 20 years, but one couldn't deny that it's a good record and a solid effort towards artistic maturity. It's lush and at times dark and beautiful. It won't be all things every one, and it may not be for everyone...either way, the Killers have proven that they are here to stay. I wrote the above review three months ago, as of today's date they are close to having sold 3 million copies of Sam's Town world wide and is still building momentum. It's only been out for 16 weeks. Between touring and the release of their third single, Read My Mind, I think The Killers will shut all the naysayers down.Read full review
To me Sam's Town shouldn't be compared to Hot Fuss because although it's the same band they've gone through some mayor stylistic differences. Hot Fuss faces the world from a simplistic point of view whereas Sam's Town takes it to to next level. This next level consists their surprisingly emotional dillema's and lifetime experiences written into amazing lyrics but to me also lakes a little bit of variation in the construction of the songs. In the beginning I thought this was a terrible piece of crap album but I was somehow driven to it and now a few months later Sam's Town, Read My Mind, For Reasons Unknown and All The Pretty Faces (English Special Edition) will forever be locked in my chamber of not to ever be erased.
In short, my least favorite song is Uncle Johnny, and my favorite is a tie between every other song on the CD. No, it’s not an exact echo of Hot Fuss, but the essential Killers ingredients are still present; Brandon Flowers’s voice and the synthesizer (& the other wonderful instrumentals). The eerie old town vintage-ish feel of the cover definitely transcends into the music. Sam’s Town isn’t like Mr. Brightside, but it’s still the Killers. Ultimately, you are going to be the one to decide if you like this side of The Killers, making this review (and all other music/movie reviews) a bit paradoxical. =P Alas, that is not the point. The point is that there is a pretty good chance you will like this CD. And if you don’t, no biggie, you can just sell it on eBay! =) -colimeconut
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