The Killers - Day and age (indie, pop, rock, great songs)

adidasss · 11-28-2008, 04:53 AM

^^ Wholeheartedly agree.

I've been listening to it more lately and here are my observations:

Losing touch starts off great, I love the saxes (or whatever it is trumpety that's playing) but then it divulges into a forgettable pre-chorus followed by a Bruce Springsteen/Nico Case-like finale which has Flowers singing like he's either bored or trying to convey weariness. I like the guitar solo after that though. 3/5

Human - I don't know what's up with his voice, but he should really go back to singing like he did on Hot fuss, without the faux pathos reverberation. I really like the beat and the synths, but the chorus, even though it's decently sung (a rare thing here), I can't get past the most inane lyrics I've heard this year save for that Pink song; "Are we human or are we dancer?"

3.5/5

Spaceman - Easily the best song on the album (which most of us seem to agree on) and the best thing they've done since Who let you go, despite his singing. Remember that song you guys, back when they didn't take themselves seriously? *sigh* 4.5/5

Joy ride - Love the funky, retro 70's beat and bass and he even sings well...until the chorus which is possibly the worst thing on the whole album. It's tone freakin' deaf and don't tell me you don't hear that! It's a goddamn shame because I think it has a great Vegas vibe. Hate the "there's something in the distance, a glorious existence" part...*barfy* 2.5/5

A dustland fairytale - Terrible song. I think he's trying really hard to sing like someone who should be taken seriously, which is why they keep getting worse and worse with each album. They'll never be seen as anything more than a pop band and it's time to forgo any serious artistic pretension. 1/5

This is your life - I think this would have been a good closer, instead of that godawful Goodnight, farewell. 3/5

In the dark - Another interesting 70's throwback, very evocative of Vegas, if it hadn't been for Flowers' wailing, it could have been a good pop tune. Maybe he should have a good cry before going into the studio? 2.5/5

Neon tiger - Another Sprinsteen/Case (especially the latter in the chorus and the finish) tribute.

2/5

The world we live in - It's awright. 3.5/5

Goodnight, travel well - terrible. If you didn't know it yet, Flowers is depressed, very very depressed. And this is the first time I've actually forced myself to listen to it till the end. 0/5

Overall, I'd give it a 2.5/5 :|

Bonus tracks:

A crippling blow - The chorus is tone deaf again. I'm beginning to think this is some big joke they're playing and that the real album will be released later. :| 2/5

Forget about what I said - Curiously, the chorus is actually half decent, and if you pay attention, you'll notice it's because the rest of the band joins in and drowns Flowers' wailing making it chirpily poppy. 3.5/5

WolfAtTheDoor · 11-28-2008, 05:33 AM

Losing Touch
Human
Spaceman
Joy Ride
A Dustland Fairytale
This Is Your Life
I Can't Stay
Neon Tiger
The World We Live In
Goodnight, Travel Well

Brandon Flowers & Friends should, by all rights, get on my nerves. Anyone who releases such a fantastic debut album and then follows it up with anything as pompous as Sam's Town should, in fact, be completely banished from making music ever again. It happened with Bloc Party, and it happened with Razorlight. But The Killers have carved their own path, one deeply rooted in hilarity and sheer 'what-the-****'ness. The release of first album single 'Human' completely proved my suspicions of them. They are, in fact, completely ridiculous and I wonder how in this age of indie snobbery they actually still manage to exist and remain popular.

"Are we human, or are we dancer", the lyric that has got everyone the world over scratching their heads. "It's mild social commentary", they say, whatever that means. Truth is, it doesn't make sense, and not much of this album does. From the aforementioned lyrics to the brief yet COMPLETELY ridiculous saxophone interlude in Joy Ride, Brandon Flowers never seems to realise that at points this album can be genuinely hilarious, continuing to bellow over the tracks with a preposterously sincere voice.

However, all these points are what make Day & Age THE definitive Killers album so far. Whereas Sam's Town took them in the direction of stadium-rock band with it's Americana roots, Day & Age obliterates the rule book for generic indie band turning mega mainstream and simply shows The Killers in playful mode. Spaceman is a joyous romp that wouldn't seem out of place on Hot Fuss and I Can't Stay is a baffling yet brilliant gem that somehow makes it appropriate to bring steel drums into the mix. Neon Tiger is perhaps the albums only true ballad moment, with Flowers beckoning everyone to 'make some noise', which is then followed by the sound of a crow, seemingly being strangled. Hm.

There are a fair few negative points, of course. The sheer eccentricity of the album never makes it feel cohesive in any way, and the constant change of direction between each song might put off the casual listener. The lyrics are, as mentioned before, complete nonsense and were obviously placed at the bottom of Brandon's 'things to do' list.

Day & Age is completely the opposite of what you'd expect from such a huge band. This is the sound of The Killers coming into their own, and though at times it's a rather peculiar experience, it's good to know that people like Brandon Flowers can take themselves way too seriously whilst at the same time creating something as extraordinarily playful as this. Listen up, Borrell.

Akira · 11-28-2008, 10:01 AM

http://www.musicbanter.com/new-releases-ratings-forum/34658-killers-day-age.html

FaSho · 11-28-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToeAndno

http://www.musicbanter.com/new-releases-ratings-forum/34658-killers-day-age.html

Son of JayJamJah · 12-01-2008, 09:52 PM

My daughter is a huge fan. I bought this album and do not like it, where should I start...Sams Town?

Need a little help here, going to the concert in a few months with her and I want to have something to look forward to musically.

sweet_nothing · 12-02-2008, 03:03 AM

Hot Fuss is their best album, then Sawdust (which is compilation), then Sam's Town which has a few good songs.

And this made me smile Killers Beat Out GN'R On UK Charts | News @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

kyleargyle · 12-04-2008, 02:43 PM

it's different...i don't mind it, but it's almost a little bit too dancey. might grow on me, though.

WolfAtTheDoor · 12-11-2008, 06:46 AM

I've decided that putting all my snobbishness aside, I actually love this album. I can't stay is a personal highlight.

adidasss · 12-11-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfAtTheDoor

I've decided that putting all good taste aside, I actually love this album. I can't stay is a personal highlight.

Fixed.

spark10036 · 12-12-2008, 04:59 PM

The Killers feat. Elton John and Neil Tennant - Joseph, Better You Than Me : that's better boys, just a christmas tune, but not bad

View Poll Results: Rate this cracka
OMG, it's the best album ever!lovelove	3	6.12%
Pretty good	21	42.86%
Well, it's better than Sam's town...:\	10	20.41%
Career killer!	15	30.61%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

11-28-2008, 04:53 AM	#31 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	^^ Wholeheartedly agree. I've been listening to it more lately and here are my observations: Losing touch starts off great, I love the saxes (or whatever it is trumpety that's playing) but then it divulges into a forgettable pre-chorus followed by a Bruce Springsteen/Nico Case-like finale which has Flowers singing like he's either bored or trying to convey weariness. I like the guitar solo after that though. 3/5 Human - I don't know what's up with his voice, but he should really go back to singing like he did on Hot fuss, without the faux pathos reverberation. I really like the beat and the synths, but the chorus, even though it's decently sung (a rare thing here), I can't get past the most inane lyrics I've heard this year save for that Pink song; "Are we human or are we dancer?" 3.5/5 Spaceman - Easily the best song on the album (which most of us seem to agree on) and the best thing they've done since Who let you go, despite his singing. Remember that song you guys, back when they didn't take themselves seriously? sigh 4.5/5 Joy ride - Love the funky, retro 70's beat and bass and he even sings well...until the chorus which is possibly the worst thing on the whole album. It's tone freakin' deaf and don't tell me you don't hear that! It's a goddamn shame because I think it has a great Vegas vibe. Hate the "there's something in the distance, a glorious existence" part...barfy 2.5/5 A dustland fairytale - Terrible song. I think he's trying really hard to sing like someone who should be taken seriously, which is why they keep getting worse and worse with each album. They'll never be seen as anything more than a pop band and it's time to forgo any serious artistic pretension. 1/5 This is your life - I think this would have been a good closer, instead of that godawful Goodnight, farewell. 3/5 In the dark - Another interesting 70's throwback, very evocative of Vegas, if it hadn't been for Flowers' wailing, it could have been a good pop tune. Maybe he should have a good cry before going into the studio? 2.5/5 Neon tiger - Another Sprinsteen/Case (especially the latter in the chorus and the finish) tribute. 2/5 The world we live in - It's awright. 3.5/5 Goodnight, travel well - terrible. If you didn't know it yet, Flowers is depressed, very very depressed. And this is the first time I've actually forced myself to listen to it till the end. 0/5 Overall, I'd give it a 2.5/5 :\| Bonus tracks: A crippling blow - The chorus is tone deaf again. I'm beginning to think this is some big joke they're playing and that the real album will be released later. :\| 2/5 Forget about what I said - Curiously, the chorus is actually half decent, and if you pay attention, you'll notice it's because the rest of the band joins in and drowns Flowers' wailing making it chirpily poppy. 3.5/5 __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm Last edited by adidasss; 11-28-2008 at 05:00 AM.

11-28-2008, 05:33 AM	#32 (permalink)
WolfAtTheDoor ironing your socks Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I'm in a rocknroll band. huh. Posts: 396	The Killers - Day & Age Losing Touch Human Spaceman Joy Ride A Dustland Fairytale This Is Your Life I Can't Stay Neon Tiger The World We Live In Goodnight, Travel Well Brandon Flowers & Friends should, by all rights, get on my nerves. Anyone who releases such a fantastic debut album and then follows it up with anything as pompous as Sam's Town should, in fact, be completely banished from making music ever again. It happened with Bloc Party, and it happened with Razorlight. But The Killers have carved their own path, one deeply rooted in hilarity and sheer 'what-the-****'ness. The release of first album single 'Human' completely proved my suspicions of them. They are, in fact, completely ridiculous and I wonder how in this age of indie snobbery they actually still manage to exist and remain popular. "Are we human, or are we dancer", the lyric that has got everyone the world over scratching their heads. "It's mild social commentary", they say, whatever that means. Truth is, it doesn't make sense, and not much of this album does. From the aforementioned lyrics to the brief yet COMPLETELY ridiculous saxophone interlude in Joy Ride, Brandon Flowers never seems to realise that at points this album can be genuinely hilarious, continuing to bellow over the tracks with a preposterously sincere voice. However, all these points are what make Day & Age THE definitive Killers album so far. Whereas Sam's Town took them in the direction of stadium-rock band with it's Americana roots, Day & Age obliterates the rule book for generic indie band turning mega mainstream and simply shows The Killers in playful mode. Spaceman is a joyous romp that wouldn't seem out of place on Hot Fuss and I Can't Stay is a baffling yet brilliant gem that somehow makes it appropriate to bring steel drums into the mix. Neon Tiger is perhaps the albums only true ballad moment, with Flowers beckoning everyone to 'make some noise', which is then followed by the sound of a crow, seemingly being strangled. Hm. There are a fair few negative points, of course. The sheer eccentricity of the album never makes it feel cohesive in any way, and the constant change of direction between each song might put off the casual listener. The lyrics are, as mentioned before, complete nonsense and were obviously placed at the bottom of Brandon's 'things to do' list. Day & Age is completely the opposite of what you'd expect from such a huge band. This is the sound of The Killers coming into their own, and though at times it's a rather peculiar experience, it's good to know that people like Brandon Flowers can take themselves way too seriously whilst at the same time creating something as extraordinarily playful as this. Listen up, Borrell.

12-12-2008, 04:59 PM	#40 (permalink)
spark10036 locomotive power Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: too drunk to remember Posts: 518	The Killers feat. Elton John and Neil Tennant - Joseph, Better You Than Me : that's better boys, just a christmas tune, but not bad __________________ ...siempre es possible

12-04-2008, 02:43 PM	#37 (permalink)
kyleargyle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 120	it's different...i don't mind it, but it's almost a little bit too dancey. might grow on me, though.

12-11-2008, 06:46 AM	#38 (permalink)
WolfAtTheDoor ironing your socks Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I'm in a rocknroll band. huh. Posts: 396	I've decided that putting all my snobbishness aside, I actually love this album. I can't stay is a personal highlight.