Christmastime is either Christmas album time or “Best of†time as they’re ideal Christmas gifts. This month, two of my favorite bands, the Killers and Keane, release specially-boxed sets that look back on their respective decade in the music industry. Yes, I may have most of the songs on the CDs I’ve collected through the years, but for fans and new listeners, they can come as welcome acquisitions.
The Killers — Direct Hits (Island/MCA Universal). Ever since Mr. Brightside and the album Sam’s Town, The Killers has been a steady favorite, and my son Matteo’s best band in the world. With tracks from its four studio CDs that include When We Were Young, Reasons Unknown, Human and Miss Atomic Bomb; plus two new tracks in Shot At the Night and Just Another Girl, this CD is one worthwhile purchase. There are two interesting bonus tracks — the demo submission of Mr. Brightside, from back when the band was shopping for a recording contract, and the Calvin Harris remix of When We Were Young. The Las Vegas band may have had its ups and downs over the 10 years of its existence; but its brand of dramatic, atmospheric rock music is here to stay, and Direct Hits is a timely reminder.
Keane — The Best of Keane (Interscope/MCA Universal). While Keane has not enjoyed massive popularity here in the Philippines, each of its CD releases has reached the top of the European charts, and the local fans are staunch devotees. They know that Keane is so much more than Coldplay Lite — the melodic, swooping vocals, the intricate compositions that would feel at home on a West End stage, the radio-savvy upbeat tunes and the wistful yearning of its ballads — they all add up to a Keane sound that’s distinct. I have the two-CD package and have to say that the second CD with B-side songs are truly the revelation. I love Snowed Under and Fly to Me. As for the first CD, songs from Hopes and Fears, Iron Sea, Perfect Symmetry, Night Train to Strangeland are all accounted for. It’s just a matter of preference — if one’s favorites have been included.