The Killers

You may not remember the way us underground music lovers, know every band before they land on MTV, super charming hipster crowd does but, there was a time when The Killers attracted a more concentrated demographic. This demographic didn’t contain 30 something women in torn hosiery or thirteen year old girl who had to keep their eyes on the time because the curfew is calling. This demographic consisted of the well, “underground music lovers who know every band before they hit MTV super charming hipster crowd” Before The Late Show and before Stadium seating, The Killers were a band on a select few myspace music lists. When did the change occur? I don’t know. I didn’t even really care until I was driving in my car one day and stopped at the light. Much to my demise sits two blonde girls in the car next to me. Both with three nails painted black, Ashlee Simpson clothes, singing along to lyrics from Sam’ s Town. “Well, I guess you’re just so hip!” I wanted to yell. but the light changed and I had places to be.

Sam’s Town in all honesty doesn’t even compare to the brilliance that was Hot Fuss. This was the album that was released the year prior, remember children? Every track on Hot fuss is simply a delicious piece of music being pummeled into my ears. It is like a jack hammer of beauty smacking me upside the head telling me to listen and love.

Maybe I am biased to the originality of Hot Fuss which undoubtedly stole the spotlight from Franz Ferdinand (who never could recover from The Killers topping their album) but Sam’s Town didn’t deliver for me. There were speculations from the underground hipster music lovers that Sams Town was simply released for two purposes, Stadium seating, and to give Brandon Flowers a larger ego. Well, flatter away I say because Brandon Flowers is quite the little egoist and deserves praise for being a wonderful performer but I don’t know if he would be getting his rocks off nearly as gleefully if he knew little Avril Lavignes were buying his album.

There have been times in my life when I am scrolling through my itunes (okay, Limewire!) list thinking that I have nothing new to listen to. Times when music just isn’t moving me. These are sad times. But from the first time I heard this Las Vegas based band my heart jumped. It isn’t that I relate to The Killers, I don’t. I don’t even know what their lyrics mean. I don’t think they are the most talented band in the world, and no, I don’t think they are really that hot. But there is one thing The Killers never leave me longing for… solid riffs that make me sing and dance.

Lead singer Brandon Flowers has a unique voice that sounds sometimes like he just needs to cough and get the phlegm out. But that is also part of the appeal. This raw sense of raspy sexiness. I like sexy, sexy is great. So this is a nod to a great band. Listen and learn.