2008 Woodie Awards
The Killers 'Sawdust' lacks originality, mimics other groups
By: Cyril Wood
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Features
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In an attempt to keep the spotlight focused on them after a lackluster performance from their latest album, Sam's Town, Las Vegas quartet The Killers released a special album of B-sides (songs usually specially recorded to be released with singles) and rarities. The album is titled Sawdust, and if Hot Fuss and Sam's Town are the log of a tree, then the work on this disk is a little more than the sawed down leftovers.
The first two songs on the album, which are also the two being shamelessly plugged by the band's publicists, are called "Tranquilize," which features a vocal performance from former Velvet Underground front man and solo artist Lou Reed, and "Shadowplay," a cover of post-punkers Joy Division.
It's more than easy to call these the high points of this album, but even that doesn't seem fair. "Tranquilize" was obviously written more for Reed than for Brandon Flowers, the lead vocalist of The Killers.
"Shadowplay" does offer something new from the band (which is refreshing), but one might have trouble imagining Joy Division's dark music being played on Flowers' rhinestone-studded synthesizer and keys.
Three songs featured on this album were first released on the special edition release of Hot Fuss three years ago. Those songs, "Under the Gun," "The Ballad of Michael Valentine" and "Glamourous Indie Rock and Roll" were all re-recorded for this release, which unfortunately hurt these otherwise strong songs.
"Under the Gun," a personal favorite, seems the most butchered, but it's difficult to blame anyone but Flowers. His voice is weak and wavy, coming in and out when it shouldn't, which is probably the result of recording soon after or during a long tour.
Flowers may be at his best on a special recording of "Sam's Town," the title track from the latest album, recorded at Abbey Road. It primarily features Flowers playing the piano and raw vocals, which works here because he actually seems to care about the song he's singing. It's worth a download on iTunes.
The first two songs on the album, which are also the two being shamelessly plugged by the band's publicists, are called "Tranquilize," which features a vocal performance from former Velvet Underground front man and solo artist Lou Reed, and "Shadowplay," a cover of post-punkers Joy Division.
It's more than easy to call these the high points of this album, but even that doesn't seem fair. "Tranquilize" was obviously written more for Reed than for Brandon Flowers, the lead vocalist of The Killers.
"Shadowplay" does offer something new from the band (which is refreshing), but one might have trouble imagining Joy Division's dark music being played on Flowers' rhinestone-studded synthesizer and keys.
Three songs featured on this album were first released on the special edition release of Hot Fuss three years ago. Those songs, "Under the Gun," "The Ballad of Michael Valentine" and "Glamourous Indie Rock and Roll" were all re-recorded for this release, which unfortunately hurt these otherwise strong songs.
"Under the Gun," a personal favorite, seems the most butchered, but it's difficult to blame anyone but Flowers. His voice is weak and wavy, coming in and out when it shouldn't, which is probably the result of recording soon after or during a long tour.
Flowers may be at his best on a special recording of "Sam's Town," the title track from the latest album, recorded at Abbey Road. It primarily features Flowers playing the piano and raw vocals, which works here because he actually seems to care about the song he's singing. It's worth a download on iTunes.
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