The striking band from Las Vegas

The American rock quartet titled The Killers stroke everyone in 2004 with the debut Hot Fuss, as the main direction of that work was Brit pop. The listeners were also astonished by the fact that the band originated from Las Vegas, where only casinos and circus shows seem to flourish. After that, the musicians became famous all over the world, and the public waited for the sophomore attempt by the artist in amusement - would The Killers avoid the numerous second album mistakes or not? Well, they managed to record a new gorgeous disc Sam’s Town, which saw light in 2006. This gloomier long-play had the material, leaning upon the classical American rock, while the lyrics mostly reminded of the thoughtful stories in the vein of Bruce Springsteen. The collection of b-sides, covers and rarities Sawdust was released in 2007, showing the creativity by The Killers from the new side. Finally, in 2008, The Killers finished the work over their third album Day & Age. As for the music, the disc more reminds of Hot Fuss than of Sam’s Town. However, it is immediately well seen that the musicians made a long way forward after their debut. As for the texts, they became even more provocative and unusual than we could expect before. This new disc, on which The Killers remembered about their ability to create sunbeam pop records, is sure to help them keep their throne in spite of the fact, that the band met fame too early and many critics doubted if the group would be able to stay on this height.

On Day & Age the artists made stress on the melodic aspect

First, one should notice that The Killers not only switched their moods from gloomy ones on Sam’s Town to the more cheerful on the follow-up Day & Age. Moreover, they came back to the bright and memorable melodies that became one of their characteristic skills for the moment of their self-establishment on the big US scene. The album opens with the David Bowie-inspired track Losing Touch, decorated with the saxophones and passionate guitar of Keuning along with the lyrical and deep vocals by Flowers. The synthpop single Human, devoted to the problem of humanity, starts with the delicate guitar riff, but later it turns into a real arena hymn in the moods of 80s. The speedy rock track Spaceman is a listeners’ attraction due to its hooking melody and powerful drums. The following song Joy Ride combines the funky rhythm and saxophone - it has a memorable tune too. The melody A Dustland Fairytale develops in a progression - the gentle keyboard intro transmits into the tender vocals by Flowers, but the soloist tells the grasping narration to the listeners louder and louder, while the thick arrangement of the song acquire the cello sounding. The track This Is Your Life whimsically, but harmonically joins the African beat and the sounds of the harpsichord, while the composition I Can't Stay can boast with a combination of Caribbean rhythm, harp and acoustic guitar. The melodramatics track The World We Live In is especially brilliant with the highly professional Flowers’ vocals. The dark composition Goodnight, Travel Well is devoted to the deceased relatives.

The Killers become better with each long-play

It is a trite expression, which says that the fame ends quickly. The listeners can totally forget those performers, who blew the charts only two years ago. However, it is hard to expect such thing from The Killers for a decade at least. The artists manage to make their indefatigable talent with each disc, creating more and more breath-taking and professional records. It seems like the artists combine in their tracks the things, which are absolutely polar - Afro-beat and harpsichord, saxophone and bossanova - but all these combinations sound surprisingly stylish and cohesive in the interpretation by The Killers. By the moment of creation of Day & Age, the artists made an impressing work - the progress of soloist and keyboardist Brandon Flowers and guitarist and vocalist Dave Keuning is especially noticeable. Some tracks sparkle with the masterfulness by bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. The producing work should be also praised - Flood and Stuart Price, who earlier collaborated with U2, fulfilled it. The similarity in sound with this cult rock band can be heard on the album Day & Age. But the most striking thing about the album is its energy. The thickness and infectiousness of Day & Age can be compared to this year’s attempt Intimacy by British indie rockers Bloc Party. The full-length can be called superb without any exaggeration. One should keep it in the mind that only a few artists can overdo the previous releases with each new disc - while The Killers mage this trick twice already. The album Day & Age is not only the strongest work by the band in their discography, but it is obviously one of the best releases of 2008.

Ninelle Kazakoff

26.11.2008

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