Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, is a mystery to me. He spits out ambitious lyrics such as "Are we human or are we dancer?" and wears gold tuxedos. He is perhaps best known as having diarrhea of the mouth for his infamous "best album of the last 20 years quote" and also bashing such popular bands as The Bravery and Fall Out Boy. On the other hand, he usually has a very awkward stage presence and comes off boyish and shy while struggling through interviews. Sometimes it seems like he wouldn't say shit if his mouth was full of it. Every aspect of his personality seems to contradict another. Is this the man we want to lead a rock music revolution here in the states?
It is no secret that The Killers are rock Gods overseas. "The best British band from America" appeal to music fans across the ocean with the outrageous outfits, stage lights, showmanship, and ambitious music. They obviously understand how to reach each other. After all, they need each other. The fans are used to being spoiled by bombastic showman of the past such as Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. Brandon Flowers has grabbed the torch over there and marched on with it.
...but what about America? American music fans love to hate The Killers. Americans relate more to the bands who try too hard to look sloppy. We are more interested in watching a man with shaggy hair sporting a white t-shirt and ripped up blue jeans than a man dancing around the stage in a tuxedo. The typical American fan has grown lazy and unable to accept new sounds and personalities. We have been "spoiled" too long by mundane assembly-line music written by bands such as Nickelback, Disturbed, and Staind. Honestly, can anyone differentiate one Nickelback song from another? Did you know they sold 8 million copies of their last album in the United States alone? I think it is time to put an end to this madness! Supporting this type of musical behavior is no way to influence new original sounds!
I picked up The Killers' new album "Day and Age" last Monday and was absolutely blown away. Every song sounds unique. Different influences ooze through each word and note on every track. There is truly something for everybody on this album. I can only compare it to putting your radio on scan and letting it hit different stations with different genres. This type of album needs to be embraced, but instead it is getting dragged through the mud for the very same reasons it should be praised.
What we need is an American rock revolution! Brandon Flowers and The Killers want to lead us out of the dark and into a new generation of rock music. We need to saddle up and ride with them or we may find ourselves permanently imprisoned in a world led by Nickelback. Really, it does not make much sense that "Sam's Town", The Killers' sophomore effort that is basically a tribute to America, is more popular and understood across the ocean than it is over here.
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16 comments:
LETS START THE REVOLUTION!!!
the killers are the best rock band!!They deserve to be number one!!
I completely agree with this. America needs to wake up and discover greater and better music like The Killers. We are falling behind with bands that are only mear sellouts with no ambition, originality, and the most important, emotion. And not the Emo bands that pretend to have problems, I'm talking about depth in lyrics that have meaning which make people connect with one another. Rock on Killers. We're right behind you.
I completely agree, it makes me mad that the fact that they are so diverse makes them 'sloppy' and 'too desperate' to have a hit song. Instead they are music geniuses! They are able to take on any genre and still manage to make it sound like them!
A-fucking-MEN!
The Killers are the best band I have ever heard and America should be very proud of them. I love the fact that Brandon Flowers always looks immaculate on stage, it is so much better than looking at a scruffy singer. He is handsome, charasmatic and electric on stage. I am from the U.K. and listen to their music every day. Their new album is classic.
i absolutelylove the killers and youre so right, everyone puts down the killers cause they are different, theyd rather hear the same stuff over and over and over instead of accepting something new
This is sooo true! Thanks for this.
The Killers are the best band in the whole freakin' world!
Oh my gosh! This is EXACTLY what i've been trying to express to every skeptic around me!! Their music is more than just something to bop around to...it's REAL music! Thank you so much for reading my mind and posting it!!
Great article! I always felt that all Nickelback songs could have been written by a 5 year old. All their songs sound the same. The Killers will be around for a long time. They have the ability to change their sound and style while keeping their core fans. The Killers fan base will only continue to grow with each album.
Absolutely!!! I am so proud of the Killers. They ARE one of the best bands in America today!
Your articles were great and the comment about Sam Haggar Jr was too funny. Only thing was I wasn't aware that America hated The Killers, everybody I know loves the Killers. I guess I just have awesome friends. Have you ever listened to Silversun Pickups.
As a Hagar Fan, I take that as a shot at Sammy and Chad Kroger for that matter... That is fine because Sammy is used to taking shots from all types of fans. Truth is... the man has been rocking for 4 decades and with all types of musical styles and influences. Not many can say that. Sammy in his prime (1980-2000) was as good as any singer out there in the Rock world. With that said, The Killers style music has not always been my thing. I like U2 and REM along with an occasional "New Wave" tune from the 80's over the years. However.. I do like what these guys (the Killers) are doing. Their music is fresh and tight! It is nice to hear something different than post grunge era stuff. Come to think of it... Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Radio plays the Killers often along with other alternative rock acts. I heard Spaceman on it the other day! I'm buying Day and Age for my Wife for Christmas. So the moral of the story is... before you bash someone because of who they may look like and what kind of music they play ... get to know the background of the artist and see why they do what they do.
Peace!
I also think America likes bands that have a grittyness or toughness about them. The Killers don't at first glance give that impression but I think over time, they will be very popular in America and world wide. I think though they will have to "sell out" a bit and do something mainstream in the next 3 years to catapult to the next level. Change is always good!
the killers!! hands down the best band....amazing songs, completely inconcievably **Great** live...they dont get their due & it's a bit frustrating really
the killers are an exquisite band!! :D
well said and written!
tottally agree with you.
The Killers are legends!
RIGHT FUCKIN' ON MAN---COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER--GREAT INTUITION!
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