The Killers "Imploding the Mirage" (2020)

Imploding the Mirage

release date: Aug. 21, 2020

format: cd

[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,08]

producer: Jonathan Rado, Shawn Everett

label: Island Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "My Own Soul’s Warning" - 2. "Blowback" - 3. "Dying Breed" - 4. "Caution" - 5. "Lightning Fields" (feat. K.d. Lang)

6th studio album by from The Killers released three years after Wonderful Wonderful (2017) and now with a somewhat lesser-known duo in the producer role. Rado and Everett are also credited as co-composers on several tracks on an album, which is the first after being momentarily reduced to a trio as guitarist Dave Keuning went on an indefinite hiatus after the 2017 album. In his place, the band's bassist Mark Stoermer handles guitar on several tracks and otherwise multi-instrumentalist Rado is credited as guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, cellist, etc.

When The Killers deliberately have chosen quite different producers, it's of course because they want a direction for the music, and with the younger guitarist from Foxygen as co-composer and multi-instrumentalist, it adds a natural turn towards a more indie rock-oriented universe - and thus also a step away from a stadium rock image that The Killers have quite rightly been attributed. There's definitely less Springsteen heartland rock on Imploding the Mirage but it's an album that doesn't quite operate in the same direction. Sometimes it's electronically driven pure synthpop sounding more like Brandon Flowers solo, while at other times it's more unpolished indie pop - though 'unpolished' is a label that pretty much never fits The Killers - and at other times attempts to produce Springsteen-rockers, whicj supposedly should be an extremely popular choice sneak in... And no, 'coherent' is not exactly a term that pops to mind.

As usual, the album performed above its capacity. Reviewers are again divided, but the sales figures don't lie, and as the sixth consecutive album, The Killers' have launched a new studio album, which goes to number #1 on the UK albums chart. Nationally, it lands a nice eighth place on the Billboard 200, while like its predecessor it also tops the list in Australia. It seems as if The Killers have long ago been satisfied running in circles, making new tracks that sound extremely familiar and then simply add a little spice here and there, e.g. outsourcing their sound image to skilled sound designers, and then something 'new' has been wrapped up.

I'm really far from impressed. The album is a long way from the their first albums but it's still better than the rather thin Wonderful Wonderful, so perhaps there's still hope for a decent album from The Killers.

Not recommended.

[ 👎allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Pitchfork 7,4 / 10, 👉The Guardian 3 / 5, Gaffa.dk 3 / 6 stars ]

The Killers "Wonderful Wonderful" (2017)

Wonderful Wonderful

release date: Sep. 22, 2017

format: cd

[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,88]

producer: Jacknife Lee

label: Island Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Wonderful Wonderful" - 2. "The Man" - 3. "Rut" - 6. "Tyson vs. Douglas" - 7. "Some Kind of Love"

5th studio album by The Killers released full five years after Battle Born is, as often before, made with a new producer. Since 2012, they released the 'best of' album Direct Hits (2013) and the iTunes Christmas album Don't Waste Your Wishes in 2016, and then the band members have also spent time focusing on other projects. Lead vocalist Brandon Flowers released his second solo album The Desired Effect (2015), bassist Mark Stoermer released his second solo Dark Arts (2016), and drummer Ronnie Vanucci Jr. with his music project Big Talk released their second album Straight in No Kissin' (2015). Only guitarist Dave Keuning seemed content appearing as guest musician on other people's releases. Producer Jacknife Lee was reportedly recommended to the band by Bono (U2), and Lee is also credited as a co-composer on seven of the regular album's ten songs as well as being credited as instrumentalist on an album that doesn't exactly miss out on additional credits of studio personel. Earlier, the band has made it a bit of a trademark to both excell in raw and aggressive music in the alt. rock genre and that of gentler soft rock and a synthpop expression, and it seems as if they have come to terms with the fact that they don't have to play Kings of Leon or Pearl Jam, but still just want to do a bit of both.

The album was met by a mixed press, but fans were ready, and Wonderful Wonderful went straight to number #1 in the UK as the band's fifth consecutive studio album, and it was the band's first to top the US Billboard 200.

The Killers must be doing something right as their sales numbers are at the right end of the scale internationally and together with Jacknife Lee they have made a genuine heartland rock album, which will surely do well at major festivals all over the world. To my ears, it's just too much recycling. They have turned up on all the expensive mixing consoles and all the fine hardware to follow in the footsteps of U2 and Springsteen. Jayson Greene (Pitchfork) aptly writes about the title track: "The stage is appropriately set for an Achtung Baby moment, but Flowers decides, instead of a big chorus, to bleat, “Motherless child, dost thou believe/That thine afflictions have caused us to grieve?” veering right past Achtung Baby U2 straight into “stuck inside a giant malfunctioning mechanical lemon” U2." And no, Brandon Flowers has never proved to be a skilled songwriter, but he knows how to build a song into a resounding chorus that has a whole stadium crowd roaring along. There are hints of good hooks, but what's the point when the songs just sound like U2, Depeche Mode, Springsteen, or The Killers copying The Killers, anyway? All in all, it tends towards the uniformly boring and is, in my opinion, the band's poorest studio album to date.

Not recommended.

[ allmusic.com, NME 4 / 5, Slant 3,5 / 5, The Times 3 / 5, Pitchfork 6,3 / 10, Gaffa.dk 3 / 6 stars ]

The Killers "Direct Hits (2003-2013)" (2013)

Direct Hits (2003-2013) (compilation)
release date: Nov. 12, 2013
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]

Tracklist: 1. "Mr. Brightside" - 2. "Somebody Told Me" - 3. "Smile Like You Mean It" - 4. "All These Things That I've Done" - 5. "When You Were Young" - 6. "Read My Mind" - 7. "For Reasons Unknown" - 8. "Human" - 9. "Spaceman" - 10. "A Dustland Fairytale" - 11. "Runaways" - 12. "Miss Atomic Bomb" - 13. "The Way It Was" - 14. "Shot at the Night" - 15. "Just Another Girl"

5th album release by The Killers is their first best of compilation album. The band has enough material to choose from, and several great tracks have been omitted, which seems strange when there's room for two new songs on this best of collection. "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" and "Bones" are just a few great ones missing, however, it's still a fine collection with tracks from all of their so far four studio albums and recommended for anyone without all their albums.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

The Killers "Battle Born" (2012)

Battle Born
release date: Sep. 18, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]

producer: Steve Lillywhite, Damian Taylor (et al)

label: Island Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Flesh and Bone" (live on Letterman) - 2. "Runaways" (4 / 5) - 3. "The Way It Was" - 6. "Deadlines and Commitments" - 7. "Miss Atomic Bomb"

[ full album ]

4th studio album by The Killers following four years after the band's previous studio album Day & Age (2008). Since that, they released the live album Live From the Royal Albert Hall (2009). The album features several names to the producer role with Steve Lillywhite on 6 out of a total of 12 tracks, Damian Taylor on 5, Brendan O'Brien on 4, and with the band, Stuart Price and Daniel Lanois all producing one track each. With the turn to both Lillywhite and O'Brien they sort of return to a more alt. rock sound than they intended with their previous album.

I think, the album betters Day & Age. Actually, it shows some of the same energy as the debut, only the style is more shaped in an American (say Bruce Springsteen) rock tradition here - often referred to as heartland rock. Tracks #2, #3, and #7 are included on the best of album Direct Hits (2013).
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]

The Killers "Live From the Royal Albert Hall" (2009) (live)

Live From the Royal Albert Hall (live)
release date: Nov. 2, 2009
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Matt Voss (live engineer)
label: Island Records - nationality: USA

4th album release by The Killers is the live recordings from two concerts Jul. 2009 at The Royal Albert Hall in London consisting of 17 tracks and a total running time at 78 minutes - the maximum running length on cds.
The album really just documents what a fine live band The Killers is. To prove the band started off playing post-punk they play a Joy Division cover of "Shadowplay", which is also found on their rarities album Sawdust (2007).
The album is also released on DVD, which is an even better release with nearly twice as many songs and only just documenting how well the band works live.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

The Killers "Day & Age" (2008)

Day & Age
release date: Nov. 24, 2008
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: Stuart Price, The Killers
label: Island Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Losing Touch" (3 / 5) - 2. "Human" - 3. "Spaceman" - 5. "A Dustland Fairytale" (3 / 5) - 6. "This Is Your Life" (3 / 5)

3rd studio album by The Killers following two years after Sam's Town introduces British producer Stuart Price, mostly famous for working with pop artists like Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Pet Shop Boys. Price had previously in 2005 made a hit remix of the song "Mr. Brightside" from the band's debut album under the pseudonym of Jacques Lu Cont, and I guess the band wanted a new dance touch to its sound.
I think the album was a major disappointment when I first listened to it. It probably took me more than four whole years to recognize it as better than just that. And not that I found it great after that, but my initial verdict was that it was a lesser and only mediocre album. Nowadays, I consider it above average. Also, I do understand the critics who hold that the lyrical side is sometimes painfully bad. Well, I don't think Brandon Flowers (songwriter and vocalist) ever thought of being compared to novelists or poets when he wrote the songs. If you are able to look aside the lyrics, and just consider the flow, the vocal harmonies as... musical output, like that of a guitar, you may understand why some find it enjoyable. Still, "Are we human, or are we dancer?" is simply a bad phrase..., isn't it?! Even for an unscholared American. Sorry. I understand, he asks if we (the human race) are "human" (indirectly referring to humanity in human), or (are we just) "dancer" (hinting at the action of dancing as a state of just being, as opposed to being reflective and concerned fellow human beings...).
Nevertheless, the style has become much more pop-minded and the post-punk element seems totally gone. Tracks #2, #3 and #5 are included on the best of album Direct Hits (2013).
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]

The Killers "Sawdust" (2007)

Sawdust (compilation)
release date: Nov. 9, 2007
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

3rd album by The Killers is a compilation album consisting of rare recordings, B-sides and a few cover versions. The first cover song is (track #3) "Shadowplay" originally by Joy Division. It's not really a great cover but it really demonstrates their starting point and link to the post punk genre. The second cover is (track #13) "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" a track written by Mel Tillis and originally performed by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. This version doesn't add much to the many versions existing of that classic song. The third cover is (track #16) "Romeo and Juliet" by Mark Knopfler and originally performed by Dire Straits. All three cover songs shows The Killers trying to make their copy of an original song, not adding much of their own style, so it's mere fan-material.
I don't find this album that great, and have only played it a few times.

The Killers "Sam's Town" (2006)

Sam's Town
release date: Oct. 2, 2006
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: Flood, Alan Moulder, The Killers
label: Island Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Sam's Town" (live) - 3. "When You Were Young" (4 / 5) - 4. "Bling (Confessions of a King)" - 5. "For Reasons Unknown" - 6. "Read My Mind" - 8. "Bones" (4 / 5)

2nd studio album by The Killers following the acclaimed Hot Fuzz (2004) brings in two major British capacities as sound engineers and producers: Flood (aka Mark Ellis) and Alan Moulder.
The style has changed slightly to be more alt. rock leaving the post-punk label behind them.The album was highly expected, and many found it just as great as the debut but I think it's a lesser release. Not that it's not interesting, original, or very good, I just don't find it quite as great. Best tracks here are "When You Were Young", "Read My Mind", "For Reasons Unknown" - all of which appear on the band's best of album Direct Hits (2013) - and "Bones", a song that somehow didn't even make it to their compilation album but was released as the album's second single.
The reception of the band's music is very bland, and that's really a characteristic thing that has stuck with the band on later releases. All their albums have been criticized by many for being unoriginal (comparing the band to either Depehe Mode, New Order, or U2 and Bruce Springsteen), having very bad lyrics, and being highly praised by others. Regardless the varied reviews, all their albums have sold 'platinum' or more in many countries all around the world.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone, The Times 2 / 5, Q, The Guardian 4 / 5 stars ]

The Killers "Hot Fuss" (2004)

2005 reissue

Hot Fuss [debut]
release date: Jun. 7, 2004
format: cd (LTD. 2005 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,04]
producer: Jeff Saltzman, The Killers
label: Island Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" - 2. "Mr. Brightside" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Smile Like You Mean It" (5 / 5) - 4. "Somebody Told Me" (4 / 5) - 5. "All These Things That I've Done" (5 / 5) - 6. "Andy, You're a Star" - 7. "On Top" (4 / 5) - 9. "Believe Me Natalie" - *12. Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll - *14. Under the Gun
*Bonus track on 2005 reissue, Limited Edition

Studio album debut by The Killers consisting of vocalist Brandon Flowers (also credited on synths), guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer, and with drummer Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. The 2005 Limited Edition reissue contains three bonus tracks with a total running time at 56 minuntes (the standard album runs 45 mins.). Most of the tracks are co-written by Flowers together with either Keuning or Stoermer as musical composer.

The Las Vegas-founded quartet is one among many bands hitting off on the post-punk revival wave of the early noughts, but The Killers is a special band who makes its distinct positive version of post-punk. Lyrically, it may not be in concordance with the majority of that style's original artists of the early 1980s, and one may argue that it's not really post-punk. At least it's a fine combination of pop / rock, synth-rock in the lighter end of alt. rock with traces of post-punk. Perhaps, you could argue that The Killers share traits with American colleagues of My Chemical Romance, The Rapture and later on, The Bravery, all of them with bold focus on harmony-based post-punk and / or power pop. Furthermore, the style also share stylistic influence with that of early Depeche Mode and a more pop-oriented New Order, which may just explain The Killers' huge and immediate success in Britain.

Hot Fuss is one of my favourites of 2004, one of the best albums of the decade, and in retrospect, it also remains the band's best effort ever.

Tracks #2-5 are included on the best of album Direct Hits (2013).

[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, The Times 5 / 5 stars ]

2004 standard edition