| Sam's Town is a tremendous departure for the Killers. Whereas their first album, Hot Fuss, was the work of Anglophiles trying to sound like their musical heroes, particularly Pulp and the Smiths, their second album has set its sights much higher. The Killers are clearly not content with their indie-rock status; from the explosive introduction of the title track, Sam's Town sounds huge. But, thanks to the earnest vocals of frontman Brandon Flowers, and lyrics still rooted very much in the real world, Sam's Town still manages to sound completely heartfelt and honest. In that respect, the Killers show themselves as potential heirs to U2, with an album packed with soaring guitars and driving basslines. First single, "When You Were Young", is a fist-pumping anthem that has all the catchy bombast of Bruce Springsteen's 1980's commercial heydey. Best of all though is "Bones", a song whose crooning chorus and bright horn breaks could only have come from the Killers' hometown of Las Vegas. Hot Fuss may have launched the Killers onto the global stage, but Sam's Town looks set to launch them into orbit. --Ted Kord |
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