The Killers - Sam's Town Review

Through the magic of the internets, this little nugget landed on my hard drive today. I've spent most of the day listening to it.

The excellent disc features 12 tracks with two bonus tracks. Let's discuss it track-by-track:

Sam's Town - The title track is a fun, upbeat track. Classic Killers stuff. This definitely has single potential.

Enterlude - This 49 second 'song' is a little ditty thanking you for listening and they "hope you enjoy your stay." It features only piano and Brandon Flowers.

When You Were Young - The first single. The best song on the record. The "Mr. Brightside" of the record. And all that that implies. He doesn't look a thing like Jesus, ya know?

Bling (Confessions of a King) - Wow, what a horrible song title. Nevertheless, this is another off-kilter pop track that has single potential. "So you're slinging rocks at the red tide, am I wrong or am I right?"

For Reasons Unknown - Really excellent pop track. One of those 'great driving songs' as it has a solid beat and soaring vocals. Definite single on this one. "My eyes don't recognize you at all...for reasons unknown." Classic Killers pop.

Read My Mind - Again this one has that solid, non-stop Killers beat. "The sky's blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun...when you read my mind." Definitely has single potential with its rolicking chorus and build-up.

Uncle Johnny - Best guitar riff on the record, this thumping track speaks of Johnny and his wild antics. Speaking of his partying: "He's convinced himself right in his brain, that it helps take away the pain."

Bones - You know when the song starts off with an acapella note or two, this one will be different. This one starts off with the usual pop-synth and soon moves into an entire horn section. Quirkily interesting. "Don't you wanna feel my bones on your bones? It's only natural."

My List - The "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" song of the record. This one has almost two full minutes of silence/sonic building up into a sing-a-long chorus of the entire band singing about how the subject is on 'his list.' "You should've known by now you were on my list." (this is the sing-a-long line)

This River Is Wild - Huge, soaring chorus. Orchestral swell. Overreaching, Brandon sings of leaving a town he's 'strapped' to. "I've been trying hard to do what's right, I could stay here all night."

Why Do I Keep Counting? - Wait, wait, now this is the "I've got soul but I"m not a soldier" track. "Help me get down, I can make it," they repeat. If this is a concept album, it's a fine closer. It features this cool line: "If all of my days are numbered, why do I keep counting?"

Exitlude - "We hope you enjoyed your stay," the band sings to you as you leave Sam's Town.  "It's good to have you with us, even if its just for the day."

The two bonus tracks, "Where The White Boys Dance" -- officially the gayest song I've ever heard from the Killers, and that's saying something -- and "All The Pretty Face" is pretty much forgettable. Fun, but forgettable.

So, all in all, what looks like an interesting concept album works in many ways. I really haven't digested it enough to give you a complete, thorough review of what does and doesn't work, and themes are touched on and what they mean, but I'm just happy to have another Killers record.

Scratch that: A good Killers record.

This is a record that I currently 'like', and that's a good thing. Eight hours is barely enough time to judge how good or bad a record really is. I've not been listening to it non-stop (expect that over the next few weeks), but what is here is excellent.

It hits the street (and iTunes) Tuesday. Purchase/download and enjoy. I know I am.

And sometimes you close your eyes
and see the place where you used to live