The Killers: Getting Ready For A New “Day & Age”

Tuesday, 25 November 2008 17:00

Ever since their debut back in 2004, The Killers have been turning heads their way. Whether it’s because of their music, their lyrics, feuds with other bands or because of frontman Brandon Flowers, The Killers have managed to score a few hits and snatch a place in the music stratosphere.  With every album they play around with who they are as a band and the direction they’re taking. You would think that after two albums, their third offering would show a more defined style; instead we get “Day & Age”.  Yes, the band shows growth, and the improvement is palpable and hard to miss in their lyrics, Flowers’ vocals, the bands execution, and overall production.  But you can’t help but notice that they’re still not sure of where they stand as a band. Confusion never sounded better.

Day & Age

For their third album The Killers didn’t ditch their influences and once again embrace their new wave Vegas roots and their musical influences can be heard sometimes subtly, others not so much. There’s a little Bowie, some Queen, and even The Cure and U2 influences pop up here and there.  

“Day & Age” indeed marks a new era for The Killers.  This is perhaps their first work that actually plays like an album- you can listen to it from beginning to end countless times without skipping filler songs and atrocious attempts at sophistication. While it’s only 10 tracks-long, “Day & Age” proves to be long enough to quench your Killers thirst. 

The thing with “Day & Age” is that it’s not only appealing to die-hard Killers fans, but non-fans and skeptical folks will find something in it for them. 

From the opening R&B-esque track until the epic last one, “Day & Age” is filled with surprises.  Perhaps the most unexpected surprises come half way through the album with “This Is Your Life” and “I Can’t Stay”. 

“This Is Your Life” is infused with nonsensical chants reminiscing of an African safari that float through guitar riffs and Brandon Flowers’ voice. On the following song “I Can’t Stay”, The Killers start off with a Bjork-esque bass and electronica riffs that quickly erupt into tropicalia paradise. 

The Killers deliver an album that while it might not be memorable or have anything new to offer per se, marks a new “Day & Age” in music artistry were the focus is on the music, lyrics and their execution rather than on production trickery.

Despite the fact that “Day & Age” lacks originality, the final product is superb, energetic and with a fresh sound that could perhaps make “Day & Age” the best Killers album to date.

Day & Age Outstanding Traxx: Human, Spaceman, This Is Your Life, A Dustland Fairytale, I Can’t Stay, The World We Live In.