Sawdust

A great compilation of B-sides and rarities

While the audience is eagerly waiting for The Killers' third studio album the band has decided to present it with a profound compilation of B-sides and rarities that little have expected after two albums only. The last year's Sam's Town was highly acclaimed both by the critics and the audience, and many songs are still apprehended as fresh and topical. Yet The Killers' has found it necessary to release a collection of songs that will provide a review of all the work done so far and give the fans a chance to hear what they perhaps are not familiar with. The album Sawdust includes mainly B-Sides and songs heard rarely on concerts including a few covers together with some new material that will surprise a lot in the respect of style in which one can trace more danceable tendencies. The record is fully aimed to please the fans and serves the optimal solution to fill the pause of expectation for one can analyze The Killers' creative path, its ups and downs and notice how its music has evolved and what else needs working on.

Sawdust is a panoramic view on The Killers' music

The opener Tranquilize is remarkable already for the presence of Lou Reed, the former Velvet Underground front man, and it is a track quite different from what we are used to hear from The Killers due to a more confident and integral sound and the duet of two outstanding vocalists. The cover of Joy Division Shadowplay is rather an aggressive composition reminding of the songs from the band's debut album, while All The Pretty Faces amazes with great guitar riffs. One of the tracks that the fans have been longing to have is definitely Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf, a funny love story with the addition of alcoholism and all its consequences. Melodious and catchy, with excellent drum work it is definitely one of the best tracks on Sawdust. The Killers we have heard on Sam's Town are on tracks Sweet Talk and Under The Gun, and a unique composition Where The White Boys Dance is refined with a beautiful piano party. Show You How opens with the recording of an answering machine that gradually grows into a song with a slight 90s feel to it. One of the most complicated and worrisome tunes is on Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll, contrasting with funny Who Let You Go?. Covers like The First Edition's song Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town and Dire Straits' Romeo And Juliet must not be left without attention, and the new version of the second's album title track Sam's Town (Abbey Road Version) is also sure to be appreciated by the band's fans. The longest track lasting almost eleven minutes Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lucont's Thin White Duke Remix) demonstrates the aforementioned new tendencies in the band's style, and Change Your Mind (Bonus Track) closes the album with a joyful tune. Diverse and changeable Sawdust is a panoramic view of The Killers' music that gives the most complete idea of it.

The Killers' rock still remains classic

The band has proved with the collection release that it is not a one night stand, striving for providing the fans with all the material possible. The number of B-sides has turned out to be just enough to comprise the significant part of Sawdust, and the rest of the material has been just screaming longing to be released. After listening to the record the question why The Killers has made it now just disappears automatically. To continue concealing these amazing songs would have been equal to a crime. Luckily the guys have managed to think of it right in time, and now the collections of The Killers' fans and those fond of classic rock in general will be added by Sawdust. Besides the album is a perfect way to get acquainted with the collective's creative work for those who have not heard a lot of its songs or is not familiar with it at all. Who knows, perhaps the new shades that have appeared in The Killers' music will be further developed and the third album will start a new era for the band. Yet for now the rock The Killers performs still remains classic and it does it credit without a doubt.