Sound: Their synth-flavored, romantic rock/pop evolves by adding epic, 70s-style bravado, while Brandon Flowers’ vocals affect a more vulnerable quiver.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “When You Were Young”; “Uncle Jonny”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Sam’s Town”
Explicit Lyrics*: “This River Is Wild”
Recommended: Though The Killers admirably expand their musical range on Sam’s Town, their ambition often feels overdone, sappy and lacks the sexiness and mystique of the songs on their debut Hot Fuss. They’re still talented pop songwriters, but Hot Fuss (my #10 album of 2004) had a much more impressive lineup of hits.
Grade: B
* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.
I havent been impressed yet by this album. Everyone is correct in the reviews when it seems they are desperately channeling Born to Run era Bruce Springsteen.
After Hot Fuss I was really looking forward to this one, and when I hear the music to When You Were Young I get excited. The lyrics make my hair stand on end though.
The album is definitely better musically than lyrically or vocally