You're severely underselling this band's track record and reach. Also, "Human" was a pretty big hit for them, so I don't know where you're going with that one.
It's so funny. I am a huge lover of The Killers despite not connecting with much of what came after Sam's Town. I get nervous when I read negative feedback and reviews of their material but it seems pretty consistent. Are they not as liked as much as I thought they were? For the new material - I really try not to dive into new albums before release outside of 1-2 tracks to keep myself excited and surprised. That being said, I have really like Run For Cover, The Man and Brandon's solo album so I am hopeful that I will like this album as well. If I don't - that's also okay because Hot Fuss will still be at the ready. Also, seeing them live in January for the first time so hoping for a solid show with a good blend of their albums but selfishly wanting it to be more heavy Hot Fuss/Sam's town focused.
I'm going to quote you on this but not all of it is directed toward you but just general thought from last few posts. I am not a fan of 'Human' at all but my taste aside it's clearly a successful song. Also - hard to call this band culturally irrelevant when they still draw as well as they do. It was a chore for me to get floor seats for their Chicago show at the United Center. Took two separate preorders, and a general sale for me to finally get them - so yeah, I would say hardly culturally irrelevant.
How so? Depends what you mean by track record - they've had great-to-mediocre singles but I'd be surprised if most mainstream fans could name more than one Killers song. Human may have been a big hit but it's one of the poorer songs they've written. "Are we human or are we dancer?" Lol ok
Don't get me wrong Mr Brightside is huge but a shit ton of people know Somebody Told Me, Smile Like You Mean It, All These Things That I've Done, When You Were Young and Human and it's just incorrect to think otherwise
Because you're arguing cultural relevance like they're a one-hit wonder. They've had a handful of big singles. They still sell out arenas all across the world. Whether you personally like those songs/albums or not, acting like they're culturally irrelevant is laughable. They're one of the biggest bands in the world. Hot take on Human, there.
And a shit ton of people is still a minute fraction of mainstream music fans. I'm no long sure what we're disagreeing about here. I wouldn't say they are culturally irrelevant at all, but less so since they first became big, without a doubt. Which is what that review was saying unless I misread it - The Killers started out huge, but comparitively, for the past 10 years, most people couldn't care less. Selling out stadiums is a much a nostalgia thing as it is a popularity thing. But I'm splitting hairs. Anything can be a hot take when your opinion disagrees with it. It's a shitty song by a band who did better before and have since.
The Killers are still big but it's been a decade since they've put out a song that the mainstream cares about
Not true. Runaways was a big single. The album came and went, but I'm pretty sure the single cracked the top 40. EDIT: Nah, just checked it. It peaked at 78 on the Billboard Hot 100. Which is still really good for a rock band, though.
I mean Human was massive and 10 years ago. And they released literally 1 album in between then and now. I guess if you consider the new songs sure, but the album still isn't out yet.
Run For Cover and The Man are a lot more alt radio friendly than anything on Battle Born and i think they are doing pretty well with those two singles and will continue to grow
Runaways was only on the charts for two weeks. It got radio play because it was a new Killers single and then it went away because it made no impact.
My issue with the review isn't that I think The Killers are "culturally relevant" in the here and now. It's that: 1) Talking about "cultural relevance" as the focal point of a music review is kind of dumb. 2) Using "cultural relevance" as a reason to dismiss a piece of art is kind of dumb. 3) Lambasting a rock band for not being "culturally relevant" when they haven't made an album in five years is kind of dumb. I mean, no shit. Just because an artist isn't scoring radio hits or selling tons of records anymore doesn't mean they're has-beens. The Killers aren't critical darlings and they aren't the mainstream draw they were 13 years ago, but they're still massive and have one of the most loyal fanbases of any act in music.
I'm pretty excited that we get to hear a new Killers album this week. I had started to think there wasn't going to be another one.
This album is very good. I really dig it. Haven't enjoyed a first listen of any of their albums as much as this one and Hot Fuss. Others either grew on me or didn't. I can see people not being into this one though. I'll just say dive into it with an open mind and no expectations.