The Mysterious Brandon Flowers

Sampling the critics' reviews from The Killer's sophomore album, Sam's Town, you would think Brandon Flowers was a mysterious lyrical illusionist. And that The Killers best work had already been done in Hot Fuss. In my opinion, both claims would be false, but that is not our subject today. On a rare Monday release, The Killers gave us Day and Age, a  new and ridiculous musical collection that gets better every time I listen. 

Not only does this album field a couple songs waiting to be hit singles, it also can hold its weight all the way through. While one song in the middle drags a hair, other songs such as Spaceman and Neon Tiger clearly make up for the brief drop in pace. Overall, The Killers return to Hot Fuss stylistically, but take their music to new heights. Since their style is usually so over the top anyways, this seems surprising, but with the addition of a few saxophone solos and some world music elements, The Killers make this the most grandiose record of their day.

The lyrics, as always, seem to confuse me a little bit, with Flowers having the same lyrical style as always. While some songs seem to question mankind's existence with a bit of existentialism, others lose me quicker than they begin. 

Nonetheless, The Killers are back to their old tricks, adding new ones to their bag. As I sit here watching them play live on Fuse, my faith in their song writing abilities, production, and a knack for the 80's reel me in just as all of their material has and probably will continue to.

Key Tracks

Spaceman

Neon Tiger

This is Your Life

Stars

4 out of 5

Holiday Cheer

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I have many things to be thankful for. This semester, while unimaginably busy, has been quite an exhilarating time for me. My relationships have grown bountifully. My financial situation is better than ever and my studies are going better than expected. About the only aspect of my life that has been going poorly is my sleeping time. There is always a price to pay for your gains in life.

Today, I ventured into a Nashville mall. This is certainly a rarity for me as I don't shop much, don't like large masses of people, and am usually to busy to waste my time at such a destination. I came out of the mall feeling slightly annoyed by the Holiday Spirit that was everywhere. I love the Holidays, they mean a lot to me. They also seem to mean a lot to everyone else, but perhaps for a different reason. Preface this trip with the fact that I am already upset by all types of Christmas decorations and music going on BEFORE Thanksgiving (even some before Halloween wrapped up), and I left the mall one unhappy camper. The mall is heaven for the consumer. And a deathtrap for me. So many people throwing their money at the latest trend. So many people diluting the Charlie Brown sponsored message of Christmas. So many people being selfish and over indulgent for the obtainment of material possessions. I don't enjoy ranting on a topic or bringing people down for their personal characteristics, but I could not escape the greed and self desire that almost suffocated me today. Certainly, I have so many things I could do without, and I recognize my fortune, but I just wish some others would try to show a little restraint in their lifestyles.

Look forward to a review of either the Kanye or The Killers CD's that hit shelves tomorrow.

Links

Don Miller Blog

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