By Liz Hammond, Digital Media Editor
The Killers have been a household name since the release of their first album “Hot Fuss” in 2004.
The main question that people always ask is: “Will they ever live up to that album?”
The answer to that will always be no.
They have tried many times to top it and sure, there have been some mild forms of success, but nothing compared to their debut.
The mild forms of success can be found in their second album, “Sam’s Town,” which comprehensively, is an amazing album that includes the classic songs “When You Were Young” and “Read My Mind.”
Another album that comes within reach is their third release, “Day & Age,” which has songs like “Human,” “This Is Your Life,” and “A Dustland Fairytale.”
The Killers, especially lead singer Brandon Flowers, try to prove again and again that they still have the same teen angst that they started with.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone Flowers talked about how his lyrics have obviously evolved and expanded as his life did.
But the same vibe and sound that The Killers are known for is staying alive.
The lead single off their brand-new album, “Wonderful Wonderful,” is “The Man.”
Flowers is back on his grind and it speaks volumes for the whole album.
Flowers has his own particular stage presence and it really shows on this song and in the single’s artwork, where his son is wearing Flowers’ jacket that says “The Man” on the back.
Another song that shines is, “Rut.” I think most of us as struggling college students can appreciate this song. I know that the lyrics are for sure something that we all go through, especially this time a year with midterms coming up. Flowers sings, “Can’t keep my mind off every little wrong / I see the mouths are open but I can’t hear the song.”
Although this album seems shiny and bright on the outside, there are some moments that are sad.
The lyrics are a call to help saying, “‘Cause I can’t get you out of my mind/To get you out of my bed/To get you out of my heart/and my head.”
Throughout “Wonderful Wonderful,” there are hints of Flowers’ religion shining through: there is no denying that Brandon is very open about his religion and how much of a devout Mormon he is.
“The Calling” is one example. The lyrics really speak to how seriously that he takes his religion and that he places it before the rock star facade.
The album overall is dull and doesn’t resonate with anything The Killers are out- wardly known for.
I understand wanting to change your sound as you get older, but Flowers is the post- er child of the band and when he isn’t on his A-game, then everything else sounds off.
They have been criticized countless times for their flamboyant ways. Especially Flowers: when the Killers were just making a name for themselves, he had way too much ego and everyone knew it.
The only good thing to come from this album is it seems like they are in on the joke that is ego of The Killers. They are learning to laugh it off, instead of getting mad.
I don’t think that they will ever be able to outdo what outstanding success they had from early on and I don’t think that any band could. It’s hard to keep going above and beyond what most bands strive for their whole career.
I’ve been a fan since the very beginning, but it’s hard to see your favorite band go down in flames every time they release a new album.
There was never a doubt in anyone’s mind that they had talent, but there was a lot of doubt as to if they could put their differences aside.
The fact that they are still making music and touring is admirable, but its not quality.
I don’t think that their lack of success is any indicator of their talent, but I do think that you need to know when it’s time to just take your place as one of the greatest and just enjoy your life after success. End it on a good note.