2004 saw the coming of one of the decade's biggest and most critically acclaimed Rock ; Roll bands. With the hit album 'Hot Fuss', a group of four unknown musicians from Las Vegas - going by the name 'The Killers' -suddenly surfaced onto the charts, effortlessly stealing high-ranking chart positions from other artists, with hits such as 'Somebody Told Me', 'Smile Like You Mean It', and who could forget the amazingly compiled rock-pop ballad 'Mr Brightside' which has invaded dance floors ever since.
Whereas before the release of 'Hot Fuss', talk about The Killers would have been greeted with a hefty 'huh? , The Killers have now honourably earned their place in the general rock and roll chit-chat of the teenage generation. So, after witnessing the immense success of the band's debut album, it's hardly a surprise they decided to continue their musical talents with more material. Over two years in the making, The Killers have now finished drafting, crafting and perfecting their second album 'Sam's Town'. Was it worth it? Or have The Killers indefinitely 'killed' their reputation of being bright, charismatic and insanely talented musicians.It's safe to say, Brandon Flowers and his trio of hard-working musical musketeers have failed to disappoint once again. The band's second album differs from the first with extremity.
It seems the band have decided to wave goodbye to songs lead by keyboards and synth tracks (but not completely, mind), and have pulled back to their American musical roots, introducing heavy guitar ballads and powerful drum assembles to get young heads banging to solid yet soulful beats. Beginning at the starting line, the album titled track 'Sam's Town', successfully initiates the album and eases eager listeners into their new musical manner.Beginning with a delightful and satisfying synth melody, which leads into a cleverly composed rock ballad, this first track certainly isn't a disappointment for devoted Killers fans. With the end of the first, we are generously presented with a particularly pleasant track titled 'Enterlude'.
This simple track is compiled of a simple but clever arrangement of chords, with Flower's voicing a warm welcome to the listener. The track ends with a exceptionally likeable melody, which succeeds in inducing a vast memory recollecting smile.Without qualm, this is a pleasing and agreeable means of introducing us to Sam's Town's first single, and arguably the best track on the album. Launching with the strum of an E chord from an electric guitar, we are given the first taste of true Killers magic, with the chart-topping and heart-throbbing track 'When You Were Young'.
Indisputably, this is one of those songs that will instinctively make you want to jump up and down (and then up again), with arms madly waving in the air and your head-banging at full throttle.The rhythm is seductive, the guitar arrangement delicious, and Flowers' voice agreeing perfectly with the demanding vocals to match the intense arrangement of the whole song. You are sad to hear the closing diminuendo at the end of the track, tempting you to rewind and press hard on the repeat button. Although, I would recommend that you hold back, before listening to what other charming trinkets the album has to offer.
A clear-cut gem follows the previous legend; 'Bling (Confessions of a King)', is a delightfully powerful track that will keep your spirits and head high, right up until the last second.Standing out specifically are the expressive and striking lyrics, which are built up of poetic verses and complicatedly excellent metaphors. The track uses a strong end focus, leaving the high-point of the song till last, rising you from your seats (both physically and emotionally). With Brandon stridently pitching his heart out 'higher and higher', this tremendous pulse is definitely a climax of the whole album.
Gladly following is 'For Reasons Unknown', which features an exceptionally catchy pre-chorus and superb keyboard and guitar arrangements.Subsequently, we arrive at tracks such as 'Uncle Jonny', 'Read My Mind', and 'Bones'. Uncle Jonny takes a more serious and morbid tone than the rest of the album. The harsh electric guitar arrangement strongly complements the lyrical subject of the song, featuring the struggles faced by a cocaine addict named Uncle Jonny. The track is enjoyable nonetheless, although perhaps one of the less pleasurable items featured on Sam's Town.
'Read My Mind' takes a more pleasant tone, introducing a gratifying synth arrangement that fruitfully leads the majority of the track.Memorable and cunningly arranged, this track deserves it's independence as a single release. 'Bones' transpires to be a satisfying array of keyboards, guitars and noticeably overwhelming trumpets, that work together with the lyrical genius of The Killers and Flowers' fitting vocals to produce a truly legendary song. The next piece undeservingly embraces the possibility of being overlooked as just 'filler material' thrown onto the album to add a 'bit of variety'. 'My List', a passionately written ballad, starts out slow.We are eased into the track by a ghostly keyboard melody, which is followed by a verse of romantically written vocal work.
This of course leads onto the climax of the song, which is indeed a climax. The soft arrangement of instruments transform into a powerful ballad of guitar, drums and heavy bass. Flowers' vocals ascend to an even stronger display of enthusiasm. To overlook this awesome track would be a crime.
We are then lead on to the last three tracks on the album. 'This River Is Wild' and 'Why Do I Keep Counting' are brilliant elements that form the album's finale. Why Do I Keep Counting' is a remarkable track and written with obvious personal feeling and zeal. The album ends with a pleasant track titled 'Exitlude', which is like 'Enterlude' with more zest. The track admirably waves goodbye and beckons us to return to the album.
All in all, the album conclusively compliments the never-ending talent of this remarkable Las Vegas Rock ; Roll foursome. So, does Sam's Town embody The Killers we all know and love? Does it deliver satisfying material, facing the high expectations the band have fashioned for themselves? In this reviewers opinion, they do, and more.
