The Killers released their third studio album, Day and Age, this past November and it has gotten loyal fans and new listeners talking. New listeners are raving about the new hit single “Human” and are well on their way to becoming fans themselves. Fans, on the other hand, have had a mixed response to the new album. Much like Sam’s Town, their second studio album, the new album is quite different from its predecessor. However, this time around, the contrast is even more pronounced.
Aside from the slight change in lyrical content, the most pronounced difference is the use of Saxophone, harp (yes, harp…) and steel drums. The overall vibe often gives off an 80’s feel to the songs. Many fans have embraced the changes and credit the artists’ integrity (and rightfully so) for not playing it safe and carbon copying their previous work as so many bands have done in the past. Others feel that front man Brandon Flowers and company have strayed too far from what made them great. One thing is certain: This is definitely the most gutsy and experimental Killers album to date.
At first, one finds him/herself having trouble settling into it. After listening to the album a few times however, the method to the apparent madness becomes evident. The song Joyride, for example, seems to be the most “un-Killers-ish” track of all but is extremely catchy and has a very rhythmic swing to it. The track “I Can’t Stay” starts with a harp scale and finds a reggae-style steel drum beat from seemingly nowhere halfway through the song. Much has changed. What hasn’t changed is that the Killers remain a solid band whose artistic growth and development continues to flourish.
