The Killers Band • Page 4

I think this Fall was the plan. I'd say a summer release is likely.

 

I'm very hit or miss with this band, but their highs are just too damn high to ignore. This live version of When You Were Young makes me wonder how they aren't the biggest band in the world.

 

Terminal West. Saturday Night. Tickets are like $100 per. check The Tabernacle's twitter for details and link to buy tickets, on sale friday.

 

I mean...as far as BANDS...they pretty much are one of the biggest in the world.

Is there another band that's surfaced since 2000 with their level of ticket sales, album sales, and name-recognition?

 

Agreed, they're one of the biggest modern bands around. I feel they have a quiet popularity now if that makes sense. They're big, but they're not like a Coldplay or Muse level big (sales/touring wise), but they've probably sold more than The White Stripes and Black Keys have without having the critical reception that those two have.

Another darkhorse in popularity is 30 Seconds to Mars (something like 15 million in sales I think?).

 

"The force was with us last night. But sometimes the force isn't enough. Sometimes you need James Bond."

 

Excited for the next album because of how strong The Desired Effect was, plus their really good 2015 Christmas song. Interesting to see so many wildly varying opinions about Battle Born on here - IMO it's a decent, consistent album but not amazing, saved by the last two songs which I think are the two best, definitely the best ending to an album the Killers have ever done.

I really liked the soundscapey vibe they hit on Day & Age - great to listen to at night and might be my favourite album if it didn't end so weakly - The World We Live In is their worst single choice ever. The first 8 songs, then Carry Me Home for stylistic continuity, then Be Still and Battle Born, would be an amazing album. As it is, I think Sam's Town is the best overall and Hot Fuss is let down badly by the second half (apart from On Top).

 

Sam's Town has to be one of the best rock records of the 21st century. The melodies on that record are perfect.

 

Got a big piece about Sam's Town coming up next week. We're at the 10th anniversary tomorrow, which is nuts.

 

Also, I wrote this big piece about the history of Hot Fuss on vinyl, if anyone's interested:

Pressing Story: ‘Hot Fuss,’ box-sets and bootlegs

 

So ready. I've got the 10 Year Anniversary Edition preordered. Can't wait for that to come in. The alternate artwork is perfect.

Really looking forward to reading this. I own the 7" box set, which sounds great and is an awesome box; all around.

 

Great article Craig. Really interesting read. I didn't know any of that, and always wondered what was up with the different tack listings. Really looking to your Sam's Town article as well.

 

I didn't order that Sam's Town pressing because I'd just had a bunch of big expenses in a row and couldn't really justify buying a $40 LP. I kind of regret it, though. It looks like it'll be a beautiful pressing.

I would love to have the 7" box set, but I'll settle for the repress. I just want to finally have this record on vinyl.

Thanks! It definitely has a weirder history than most modern albums, both in terms of vinyl and in terms of just how the tracklists worked out. I really wonder what the band's justification for having different songs on the US and UK versions was.

 

I'm in Vegas for the Sam's Town anniversary show tonight. They played a show last night too, heard it was incredible.

Can't wait for your Sam's Town retrospective, Craig. I've read a few already from some other sites, and it seems like the album has been enjoying a Pinkerton-esque total reversal.

 

You are so lucky! I was a kid when Sam's Town came out. Did it really have that much negative press when it came out? I've heard it got mixed reviews.

 

It definitely was not accepted as much as it has been revered in the last like 5 years

 

Sam's Town got fucking eviscerated. I guess the reviews were technically "mixed," but the Rolling Stone review set the tone and that was two stars.

 

Rolling Stone reviews are honestly the worst. It's really a shame their name is held in such high regard when it comes to people trusting their word.

That being said I kind of hate the idea of bad reviews in general. They too often prevent other people from having their own opinion IMO

 

The should just cut their review section, honestly. Their cover stories and profile pieces are usually pretty good still, but their reviews rarely give the impression that the writer actually listened to the album.

 

I get Rolling Stone through a bonus from a concert ticket, and the reviews are pretty bad. Did/Do people really take it that seriously?

I don't know how it got blasted so much. The direction is so solid. Hot Fuss seems like a mess comparatively. It kinda reminds me of Stone Temple Pilots Core to Purple. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else but it may just have to do with the fact that I'm a massive STP fan and tend to relate a lot of bands to them haha

 

You have to understand how massive Hot Fuss was, though. It was one of the last rock records that was a genuine hit machine. A lot of people who don't like this band still like those singles, so when Sam's Town didn't sound anything like it, there was backlash. Flowers also shot himself in the foot by telling his audience that he'd just made on of the best albums of the last 20 years, instead of letting the music do the talking.

 

I guess that makes sense. The singles on Hot Fuss still get ridiculous amounts of airplay.

I hadn't heard that Flowers quote. Dammit if it isn't a great album, though. I don't even blame him too much for saying that haha.

 

Ha, I'd agree with it too, but I still wouldn't have said it if I were him.

 

From a critical and commercial standpoint, maybe not the best move. From an artistic standpoint, I appreciate his confidence.

 

Eh, I think just about every artist that gets that big needs an ego, but I would rather he just let the songs do the talking. Dude has a history of putting his foot in his mouth.