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Rating: "The Killers". The killers. Yes, the killers of tradition.
This album, "Hot Fuss", has a pop-rock base, but you can also hear punk, rock, and electronic melodies.
The start of the album is very rock very U2, but it becomes innovative with the use of the keyboard in the middle of the song, which makes it all very unique.
The next song, also a great single (Grammy-nominated), is called "Mr Brightside" and it's a very punk rock song, fast and immediate. The next song opens the doors to the very recognizable melodies of the keyboards by the singer, Brandon Flowers, creating a very peculiar song that mixes indie, rock, and electronic (as Franz Ferdinand did with "Auf Asche"). However, the result is better because the keyboard is much less invasive, an unexpected guitar solo is added, and the piece is much faster and rockier.
The next song is the single that launched them, "Somebody Told Me". It's fast, immediate, and catchy. The lyrics of the song are truly wonderful (it's about a girl's betrayal of her boyfriend), and the singer manages to convey the anger of the boy being cheated on.
The following track, “All These Things That I've Done" was performed at Live 8 (go on YouTube to watch) and turns out to be a very rock piece, notable especially for its easily recognizable melody and for the emotion the singer puts into it.
"Andy, You're a Star" is, in the beginning, a slow song with a steady rhythm, reminiscent of medieval ballads, then it changes into a Queen-like song mixed with the Beatles, with a background choir and a melancholic melody. It struck me because it mixes these two pieces effortlessly.
"On Top" starts very electronic and ends with a melody very similar to a late career Beatles song (Brandon's voice sounds like John Lennon).
"Change Your Mind" is a very pop-rock-punk piece, very fun to listen to for its cheerful melody and Brian’s voice sounding more and more like the Beatles. "Believe me Natalie" remains similar to the previous ones, slowing down but worsening because the influence of the Beatles is too noticeable.
These four tracks can be the experimental core of the Killers' album, as they experiment with mixing various influences while adding a personal and electronic touch.
"Midnight Show" starts off similar to "Somebody Told Me" then continues with a very fast and "Killers" melody (meaning that it mixes various genres adding a touch of originality). The next song seems like a true Queen song. Same rhythms, same tones. Horrible.
The album closes with the bonus track "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll", a very rock song that adds a Queen-like bass, a Beatles-style piano, and some pieces akin to Green Day.
This album is an excellent debut record that starts with original pieces, and then ends by mixing various musical genres together, creating catchy music, though perhaps too derivative.
I look forward to their latest album, "Sam's Town", to see if these talented guys have managed to create the right sound, which is present here in a small part (release expected on October 3rd).
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