The Killers: Day and Age
The Killers
With a fantastic first and a dismal sophomore album, there are bound to be mixed feelings about The Killers’ latest album, Day and Age. Where are the heavy drums, the fake British accents, the 80’s feel that made Hot Fuss such a success that was scrapped in Sam’s Town? Never fear, Day and Age put The Killers in their place, finally funding songs similar to “Mr. Brightside.” The rocking beats and catchy melodies will leave fans wanting to jump up and dance, and music reviewers Smiling Because They Mean It.
“Bones” in Sam’s Town worked well with the flustered horns section backing up barking Flowers. “Losing Touch,” the opening track, uses the same technique and it sounds retro—so retro that it’s like what made Hot Fuss so popular. “Human,” the second track, is appealing and popular with crescendoing synths and an easy backbeat, not unlike The Cure at their height.
“Joy Ride” and “This Is Your Life” are the songs that Dave Byrne and The Talking Heads should have given birth to in 1988. Oh well, The Killers stole the style and it works well for them. The funk groove and nippy sax and synth hooks create an energetic celebration of the style that Sam’s Town was lacking.
The Killers know that they’ve nailed this album. Flowers attacks and masters the epics “The World We Live In” and “Goodnight, Travel Well.” The latter of the two is a seven-minute end to the album, where he belts,
“Stay, don’t leave me/The stars can’t for your sign/Don’t signal now/And there’s nothing I can say/There’s nothing I can do now.”
Appropriate for the end of the album? Entirely. The powerful conclusion seals the deal: Day and Age brings the fun of Hot Fuss with a new nip that will leave Killers fans craving more.
Rating: A-
Recommended Tracks: This Is Your Life, Human
Toss These Tracks: I Can’t Stay, Neon Tiger