Day & Age
- Ebizdynamix.com reviews Day and Age - The KillersOkay, "Day and age" isn't as kick ass energetic as "Hot Fuss"was but then that older album was made 6 years ago and The Killers have since evolved beyond when they had to (and did) make a lasting impression.
That formidable debut from the mid noughties got me into this bunch and I have to admit I wanted more of the same with this offering. But their departure with Sam's Town proved they weren't willing to just keep churning out the same formula forever and this was admirable given that they could have simply continued to repeat their initial success with "Hot Fuss 2", "Hot Fuss 3" etc...
This latest release is a game of two halves. We start off moving fast but then flag a little after 4 tracks. "A dustland fairytale" and "This is your life" contain elements of 70's rock and this continues into "I can't stay" which gets as close to Barry Manillow territory as one would care to without the full on cringe factor. "Neon tiger" is a bit more reassuring and its business as usual from there.
The thing is that this album isn't disappointing but it seems to end in an anti-climactic fashion after taking off at such a promising pace. It would have been nice to reverse this structure but alas, the track arrangement is fixed in this rise and fall approach to excitement. The consolation is that there's enough substance in all the songs to keep one interested and when the issue of pace is over with "Day and age" does have things to recommend it.
While "The world we live in" isn't quite the big hearted tune for a British Airways ad it thinks it is, "Joyride" is indeed joyous; a sizzling funky injection of excitement and energy reminiscent of the Scissor Sisters.
"Human" is on the one hand an example of how daft the Killers' lyrics can be but on the other is also a catchy power pop ballad and "Spaceman" with its hilarious opening verse describing a dubious account of an alien abduction proves they still have enough tongue in cheek to be fun and enough humour to get away from the gloom indulged in by other rockers.
"Losing touch"- sounds curiously like something Keane might have done (but with a bit more elegance) and is reminiscent of 80's acts like The The. The rest of the song progresses into something containing the right balance between radio friendly accessibility and thought provoking complexity.
"Goodnight, travel well" is moody and brooding with its rumination on something deathly and dreadful with a ponderous (but not monotonous) tone, ably complemented by Brandon Flowers world weary vocals. It conjures up the kind of compelling and dark atmosphere Nick Cave would've been proud of.
"A crippling blow" is paradoxically jaunty and likeable (the violence of the title doesn't prepare one for anything quite so chipper) that rounds off everything nicely.
In summary, "Day and age" shows that the band still have the swagger and Vegas glamour which made their debut so compelling and in amongst all the curiosities on the record are indications of their willingness to experiment and continue providing a very unique take on modern rock music, with all the sweeping grandeur of a stadium band but without the delusions. With such interesting character to their music, the Killers have still got it on this album and they'll continue to be the one's to watch. I'd like to see more stripped back funk / rock and less reflection in future though (but that's just me).
Rating:
- GreatAnother album, another new sound for The Killers. This one is 100% glitz and glamour. Not the nitty-gritty, real-life glitz and glamour of the immaculate 'Sam's Town,' but ethereal, transcendent glitz and glamour. 'Day & Age' packs twice the synths of 'Hot Fuss' and twice the sound of 'Sam's Town' - if that's even possible. If you didn't like The Killers before, you're certainly not going to now, but if you have a special place in your heart for bands that strive to be larger than life, that strive to be something... *more*... Brandon Flowers made this just for you. The album takes an inexplicable stumble with "Joy Ride," a whole mess of what-were-they-thinking, but quickly picks back up with the show-stopper "A Dustland Fairytale."
Standout tracks: A Dustland Fairytale, Losing Touch, Spaceman
Rating:
- Derivation Squared (Cubed?)As if Coldplay wasn't derivative enough - what with the plagiarism and complete lack of soul -we're awarded with this derivation of a derivation. Only this singer is a little more whiny, and the lyrics just a little more silly. Makes the trite Coldplay lyrics seem elusively brilliant in comparison. Ah, I can hear the roar of the crowd as I write this. No, pretty boy doesn't sound a thing like accomplished.
My five-year-old son plays the piano by ear, mostly simple religious standards. He could figure out this music much more quickly, and he could sing just as well. Whatever melodies he might write in the future will undoubtedly surpass this soulless, empty dreck. I look forward to his progress, but won't hold my breath for his record deal. He is already far too talented.
Rating:
- Phoning it inThe Killers are fully capable of creating moving, stirring work - or at the very least, something to shake one's hindquarters to. Urgency and energy - even within the laid back style of many of their singles - is what makes this band work for me.
"Hot Fuss" had it in spades. "Sam's Town" had it in bursts. "Day & Age" has it in Spaceman, and maybe a bit scattered here or there.
I can think of no way that I can recommend buying the album in its entirety with anything resembling a clear conscience afterward.
Download a track or two if you must. But this is a mostly bland, uninspired offering.
Rating:
- i live in this day & agegreat album.pop sounding.delicious cover art.the killers have stole the show once again.everything by the killers is a miracle to me.
