I think about Sam's Town a lot, because it seems like most Killers fans consider it a masterpiece these days, but I remember the somewhat lukewarm reaction it received when it first came out, and also how Brandon Flowers took some flak for some of the things he said about it around the time of release that seemed a bit overinflated I like the album a lot, but I definitely do not think it is a masterpiece. it fits right in with most other Killers albums for me in that there are a bunch of absolutely amazing songs, a few songs that I just do not care for at all, but then also some b-sides or bonus tracks that are absolutely fucking amazing I absolutely love 7 of the songs on Sam’s Town, I strongly dislike 3 of them, and the other 2 are sorta an intro & outro which are fine, but then there are several bonus tracks that are absolutely amazing (also, it's always driven me nuts that the album starts with a song and then has an intro at track 2, but that is a minor thing) all Killers albums are like this for me aside from Wonderful, Wonderful, which only has 1 bonus track but it is still a pretty good one and should have made the album proper. even with Pressure Machine I prefer a few of the bonus tracks / alternate versions to versions that made the actual album
What's easy to forget about Sam's Town is how radically different it felt from Hot Fuss at the time. Now, a lot more Killers songs sound like Sam's Town than Hot Fuss, so that shock has been dulled significantly. But it was a real left turn at the time, and it took some getting used to if you were a huge fan of Hot Fuss like I was. I think that, plus Brandon's bravado, is why the album was received lukewarmly. Sam's Town definitely grew on me over time, but I always found the Enterlude/Exitlude thing to be a little eyeroll-worthy. As @Brother Beck said, it's weird that the intro track comes after the title track. And then the outro kind of dampens the impact of their best closing track! I'd have cut both of those and snuck one more song on there.
I’ve always loved Enterlude/Exitlude. It never bothered me that the former was the second track either— I guess I kind of viewed it as Sam’s Town as this great opening scene, and Enterlude as the opening credits that follow. Exitlude, I just think puts a nice cap on the album.
My biggest criticism of Sam's Town is that Brandon was in the process of figuring out a different way to sing (he sounds so different between those first two albums) and I don't think he'd quite found his voice yet. One of the reasons I love Battle Born (probably a little more than Sam's Town, if I'm honest) is that I think it's just a dramatically better-sung album.
Feels like I might be the only person on the planet at this point that thinks Money On Straight is not only ass, but maybe one of the worst Killers songs in their discography..?
I mean, it seems like the band themselves at least kinda agree with you haha for me, I like it better than at least one of the songs on the album and adding it in improves the whole thing for me
Pressure Machine Sam’s Town Hot Fuss Battleborn Day & Age Imploding the Mirage Wonderful, Wonderful For what it’s worth, I enjoy the Christmas compilation and Sawdust significantly more than Wonderful, Wonderful
No disrespect to the crew who have filled in since Dave and Mark took their touring hiatus, but it really is so much better when it’s the four original members on stage. They just have it. The show was phenomenal.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-...m-at-caesars-palace-las-vegas-nv-3aba18f.html Went to the final show of their Hot Fuss residency and goddamn they were on fire. I’m always going to go to the final night of things now, we got Under the Gun and Sweet Talk added in! Sam’s Town might have honestly been the highlight of the night for me
Does anyone know what the upcoming tour is gonna be? I'm seeing them on Sunday (for my first time!), should I be expecting Hot Fuss?
Probably not, last night was the last night of the residency. You’re likely getting the Rebel Diamonds set they were doing earlier this year The Killers Setlist at The O2 Arena, London
Can anyone update me on any new album plans? I get confused with these guys, do they have an album in the can, or does Brandon have a solo album in the can? I could swear I read that but now can't remember.
On Brandon's interview from last November, I remember him spilling the beans about the Hot Fuss anniversary tour and that he was wrapping up a solo album. I assume the latter will be revealed soon, unless the band secretly made enough stuff for an album together in the meantime. I do believe his new solo album is next and it's still going to take a little while for an actual The Killers comeback.
It makes sense. I don’t think the band would have pushed Rebel Diamonds out there AND toured it if they were about to drop a new record immediately afterwards.
Yeah, I expect 2025 to be devoted to Brandon’s new solo album and a new Killers album hopefully in 2026.