Pop Punk from The Killers

There is a lot to be excited about in the current rock music scene and a lot of it is centered on a new band from Las Vegas that calls itself The Killers. I do not know the reason for the name but if you were to take a look at what these kids look like, you might deduce that Killer refers to their heartthrob good looks. Members Brandon Flowers on guitars and vocals, David Keuning on guitar, Mark Stoermer on bass and Ronnie Vannucci on drums are all young, hip and definitely pop idol materials. Check out pics in inlay booklet in the CD.

Given this, it would have been very easy for The Killers to get into the boy band mold vacated by N’ Sync and which the Backstreet Boys are now trying to reclaim. But no, these guys who cite Oasis as their major influence upped their ante by launching themselves as the new purveyors of the New Wave fad. Great! New Wave, which blends rock, punk and pop came about in the ‘80s era. That was more than two decades ago. Kids today, unless they are in the nostalgia mode, do not know anything about it. As for those who do, they have been wondering all this time when somebody will initiate the resurrection. And it finally happened with The Killers.

The album is entitled Hot Fuss. Again, I do not know why although I must admit that The Killers are indeed hot these days and already being made fuss of everywhere. The album is made up of 12 originals all written by the members of the group. This area is where The Killers are at their strongest. These guys can tell a story in a most interesting way. Passion killing in Jenny was a Friend of Mine, jealousy in Mr. Brightside, a love triangle in Somebody Told Me and a personal statement of what they have reached so far in On Top are among the themes they explore in their songs.

There is also tight give and take in the way they play the music which stays young and energetic throughout the album. I must say that the arrangements derive a lot from ‘80s big names like The Cure and New Order, plus Oasis, of course, but who cares where if you have heard those progressions before when there is a melody that plays and stays inside your head. All in all, Hot Fuss is a well-crafted debut by a band that has a definite idea of the kind of music it wants to make and how to use the instruments at their disposal to best effect. Love those synthesizers and the gospel chorus in Jenny was a Friend of Mine.

The other songs in the album are Smile Like You Mean It, All These Things That I’ve Done, Andy, You’re a Star, Change Your Mind, Believe Me Natalie, Midnight Show and Everything Will be Alright. Add Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll, which is presented as a bonus cut together with the video of Somebody Told Me on the enhanced CD.

The Killers’ Hot Fuss is making a slow steady climb in the Billboard 200 albums chart where it is now ranked at number 25. The single Mr. Brightside is at number 29 in the Hot 100 list. This is not bad showing for a first album from a new band.

The Top 10 among the Top 200 albums are: TP.3 Reloaded by R. Kelly; The Cookbook by Missy Elliott; X&Y by Coldplay; The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey; U.S.A.: United State of Atlanta by Ying Yang Twins; Somewhere Down in Texas by George Strait; Monkey Business by The Black Eyed Peas; Savage Life by Webbie; In Your Honor by the Foo Fighters; and Love.Angel.Music.Baby by Gwen Stefani.

Mariah Carey is back at number one in the Hot 100 with We Belong Together, the big selling cut from The Emancipation of Mimi. The others in the Top 10 are Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani; Don’t Phunk with My Heart by The Black Eyed Peas; Don’t Cha by The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes; Pon de Replay by Rihanna; Lose Control by Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop; Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson; Just a Lil Bit by 50 Cent; Grind with Me by Pretty Ricky; and Inside Your Heaven by Carrie Underwood.