for those of you not familiar with the killers, they are an indie band out of Las vegas, their members are Brandon flowers (vocals,synth.), Dave keuning (guitars,vocals), Ronnie vanucci jr. (drums, percussion), and mark stoermer (bass, guitar, vocals). they were formed by Keuning and flowers in 2002, who met via classified ad posted by Keuning, Vanucci and stoermer were in other bands at the time but joined to complete the band. they were signed by a british indie label and had their first success was in england. onto the album..
"Jenny was a friend of mine"
one of the parts of their "murder trilogy" and a good start on the album, it starts with the sound of helicopters and sirens presumably catching the "killer" then it goes straight into the guitar, the lyrics are of the killer being interagatted by the police over the murder of jenny, a good song overall but doesn't stand out with the other classics on this album.
Score : 8/10
"Mr. brightside"
one of their most recognizable songs, and for good reason. It's a very catchy song in the best way possible. very nice instrumentally but the vocals and lyrics make it stand out more, a classic song that will be looked on for years to come. in a day where most popular music is utter crap this really shows there are people putting up a real effort.
Score : 9.5/10
"Smile like you mean it"
a decent song overall, but it just doesnt do it for me like other songd on this album, it's much better acousticly, not bad, but not nearly their best.
Score : 7.5/10
"Somebody told me"
a little too synth heavy for me but a decent song. it's very sexually ambiguous with the line "some body told me that you have a boy friend that looked liked a girlfriend that i had in february of last year". an odd song, but has some great hooks
Score : 6.5/10
"All these things that ive done"
In my opinion, the best song on the album. its very uplifting and builds as is goes on. and has one of my favourite lines in a song "ive got soul but im not a soldier".
Score : 10/10
"Andy you're a star"
this song falls in the same catagory as "somebod told me", as in its a little synth heavy and sexually ambiguos. its ok but defiinately not great
Score : 6/10
"On Top"
this is one of the lesser known but great songs on the album and is a nice britpop-catchy song.
Score : 8/10
"Change your mind"
The guitar on this song really gets me, the song is about someone leaving him then he tries to "chage her mind" its a very nice song.
Score : 8.5/10
"Believe me natalie"
a decent song but not perfect i generaly skip it but i'll give it a listen every now and then.
Score : 6.5/10
"Midnight show"
one of the other parts to the murder trilogy, and a good one, better than "jenny" but not as good as the third part which isnt on this album unfortunately
Score : 8.2/10
"Everything will be alright"
i never really pay attention to this song when im listening to the album, it just doesn't stand out at all
Score : 6/10
Over all score : 8/10
a good album with some very great songs but i prefer their next one alot more.
the killers follow up album, and in my honest opinion the better of the two, even though the sound change turned off alot of people, but is much more polished and not as synth heavy.
Sam's town
The opening title track to the album, and starts it off very well. the song, much like the overall tone of the album, which is the loss of the middle america, small town. it seems a little cluttered at times but pulls it off with nice lyrics.
Score : 8/10
Enterlude
"Sam's town" is actually the name of a hotel, and this song is like entering that hotel. it's exactly what the title is a short intro to the album.
Score : 7/10
"When you were Young"
coming right off te quite tone of enterlude a Born to run influenced song. A killer (pun partially intended) rock song that really differentiates it from the previous album and shows keuning's vast impovement as a guitarist. a very meaningfull song about a girl who finds love, but he isnt perfect (hence the "he doesnt look a thing like jesus" line).A very good song indeed
Score : 9/10
"Bling confession of a king"
a good song with just the right amount of synth, and very cool lyrics, again reflecting to the albums springstien influence.
Score : 8/10
"For reasons unknown"
A very simple and cool song, about detachment from your life. has Flowers on bass and Stoermer on rythm guitar for live performances.
Score : 8/10
"Read my mind"
Wow, this is deffinately their best song and in my opinion one of the best ever. It has such a great feeling on it and really builds and builds in your head, outstanding lyrics and a great guitar solo in there. seriously this is a perfect song in everyway.
Score : 10/10
"Uncle johnny"
This is probobly the only below average song on the album, the guitar is really out of place but the lyrics are a little too direct but nice.
Score : 6/10
"Bones"
I really enjoy this song, the trumpets ( i think they are) play very well with the song. it's very catchy and a nice deep song.
Score : 9/10
"My list"
This is a very beautifull song about Flowers' wife and is very touching, then it builds into a great climactic ending.
Score : 8/10
"this river is wild"
this is a very powerfull song that combines a nice melody, rocking guitar, and contiuing the great lyrical prowess.
Score : 8.5/10
"Why do i keep counting?"
an odd piece that really shows their beatles influence, it's very 60's esque and is very cool but a little wierd, but not the best out of the album.
Score : 7.5/10
"Exitlude"
A very nice ending to the album and really shows flowers prowess on the piano.
Score : 8/10
over all score : 9/10
a very nice album, and show the deeper side of the killers, they continue to show their great musical ability.
