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Rating:
Originality, talent, catchy melodies, passion, and a touch of lavish arrangements that never hurt: these are the pillars underpinning the grandeur of "Hot Fuss" by The Killers, a Las Vegas band that in 2004 gave birth to the most magnificent debut album of the last 10 years, a veritable emotional storm that perfectly blends rock, electronic music, melody, and some psychedelic atmospheres, showcasing all the creativity and talent of these musicians, with Brandon Flowers standing out, of course, as the singer, keyboardist, and lyricist, a performer endowed with a beautiful velvet voice that stamps a trademark on this band, making these twelve songs—forcefully entering the mind, heart, and gut—unmistakable; not even Muse's debut was thrilling to this extent.
Just for the pleasure, they place masterpieces at the top of the tracklist in an incredible emotional escalation: "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine", which starts with the sound of helicopter blades: this is no accident because the song is characterized by a whirlwind and swirling pace, with Mark Stoermer's bass prominently featured and Brandon Flowers perfectly interpreting this jewel that precedes the duo "Mr. Brightside"-"Smile Like You Mean It", two perfect examples of The Killers' style: catchy yet never banal choruses, captivating melodies, nearly perfect use of guitars, synthesizers, and vocal effects, and performances worthy of praise.
"Somebody Told Me" is instead the most successful single; the first time I heard it, I was almost as ecstatic as when listening to "Bohemian Rhapsody" and, although I've slightly re-assessed it over time, it remains an outstanding piece that showcases a rock grit quite unusual for The Killers, a beautiful song that, however, almost disappears in the face of the absolute masterpiece that follows it in the tracklist, the sublime "All These Things That I've Done", a ride that begins almost quietly to reach goosebump-inducing emotional peaks thanks to an extraordinary Dave Keuning and the spot-on gospel choir interlude, not to mention the usual excellent Brandon Flowers.
The album continues excellently with the whimsical and psychedelic atmospheres of "Andy, You're A Star", which positively strikes with its decidedly original and catchy obsessive pace, and "On Top", which instead flows into a more powerful and rocking chorus. Another delightful touch of melody comes with the light and passionate "Change Your Mind", followed by a couple of somewhat transitional episodes like "Believe Me Natalie" and "Midnight Show" (which, over time, manage to become appreciated), leading to an open-applause finale: "Everything Will Be Alright", the psychedelic peak of the album, with its calming rhythm, almost lulling keyboards, and Brandon Flowers' voice sounding distant and echoing as if straight out of a dream. This magnificent song would have certainly deserved to close the album, but unfortunately, and this is the only flaw of the record, "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll" was included as a bonus track at the end: it's one of The Killers' most unique songs: a true statement of intent passionately interpreted by Brandon Flowers and very well-conceived and arranged, but placed there at the end, it breaks the spell of "Everything Will Be Alright".
Oh well, nobody's perfect, and anyway this minor flaw certainly doesn't change my opinion of this wonderful album and The Killers, who are, in fact, the only recently founded rock band (along with Muse) that fascinates me and fully enjoys my esteem and admiration.
Chapeau.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Mr. Brightside (03:42)
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss
It was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look
It's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy
Turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss
It was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
'cause I just can't look
It's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy
Turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I never, I never
I never, I never
03 Smile Like You Mean It (03:54)
Save some face, you know you've only got one
Change your ways while you're young
Boy, one day you'll be a man
Oh girl, he'll help you understand
Smile like you mean it
Smile like you mean it
Looking back at sunsets on the Eastside
We lost track of the time
Dreams aren't what they used to be
Some things slide by so carelessly
Smile like you mean it
Smile like you mean it
And someone is calling my name
From the back of the restaurant
And someone is playing a game
In the house I grew up in
And someone will drive her around
Down the same streets that I did
On the same streets that I did
Smile like you mean it
Smile like you mean it
Smile like you mean it
Smile like you mean it
Oh no, oh no no no
Oh no, oh no no no
04 Somebody Told Me (03:17)
Breaking my back just to know your name
Seventeen tracks and I've had it with this game
I'm breaking my back just to know your name
But heaven ain't close in a place like this
Anything goes but don't blink you might miss
Cause heaven ain't close in a place like this
I said heaven ain't close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight
Never thought I'd let a rumour ruin my moonlight
But somebody told me
You had a boyfriend
Who looks like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential
Ready? Let's roll onto something new
Taking its toll and I'm leaving without you
But heaven ain't close in a place like this
I said heaven ain't close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight
Never thought I'd let a rumor ruin my moonlight
But somebody told me
You had a boyfriend
Who looks like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential
A rushin', a rushin' around
Place yourself for me (For me)
I said maybe baby please (Please)
But I just don't know now (Maybe, baby)
When all I wanna do is try
Well somebody told me
You had a boyfriend
Who looks like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential
A rushin', a rushin' around
Well somebody told me
You had a boyfriend
Who looks like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential
A rushin', a rushin' around
Somebody told me
You had a boyfriend
Who looks like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential
A rushin', a rushin' around
05 All These Things That I've Done (05:01)
When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold-hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
[Time, Truth, and Hearts]
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
[Time, Truth, and Hearts]
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
06 Andy, You're a Star (03:14)
One, two...
On the field I remember you were incredible
Hey shut up, hey shut up, yeah
On the field I remember you were incredible
Hey shut up, hey shut up, yeah
On the match with the boys you think you're alone
With the pain that you drained from love
In a car with a girl promise me she's not your world
'Cause Andy you're a star
Get down...
Leave your number on the locker and I'll give you a call
Hey shut up, hey shut up, yeah
Leave your legacy in gold on the plaques that line the hall
Hey shut up, hey shut up, yeah
On the streets such a sweet face jump in town
In the staffroom the verdict is in
In a car with a girl promise me she's not your world
'Cause Andy you're a star
In nobody's eyes but mine
Andy you're a star
In nobody's eyes but mine
Andy you're a star
In nobody's eyes
In nobody's eyes but mine
07 On Top (04:18)
Remember Rio and get down
Like some other DJ, in some other town
She's been trying to tell me to hold tight
But I've been waiting this whole night
But I've been down across a road or two
But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
In the back, uh huh, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, uh huh
I can't fake, we're on top
We're on top
The day is breaking, we're still here
Your body's shaking, and it's clear
You really need it, so let go
And let me beat it, but you know
That I've been down across the road or two
But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
In the back, uh huh, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, uh huh
I can't fake, we're on top
We're on top
We bring the bump to the grind, uh huh
I don't mind, we're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, uh huh
I can't fake, we're on top
We're on top
And we don't need to satisfy, tonight
So get your eyes off my bride, tonight
Cause I don't need to satisfy, tonight
It's like a cigarette in the mouth
Or a handshake in the doorway
I look at you and smile because I'm fine
And we don't need to satisfy, tonight
So get your eyes off my bride, tonight
Cause I don't need to satisfy, tonight
It's like a cigarette in the mouth
Or a handshake in the doorway
I look at you and smile because I'm fine
08 Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll (04:14)
Glamorous
Indie rock 'n' roll is what I want
It's in my soul, it's what I need
Indie rock 'n' roll, it's time
Two of us
Flipping through a thrift store magazine
She plays the drums, I'm on tambourine
Bet your, your bottom dollar on me
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
It's all I need
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
In a clutch
I'm talking every word for all the boys
Electric girls with worn down toys
Make it up, break it up, what do you care
Oh what do you care?
I take my twist with a shout
A coffee shop with a cause, then I'll freak you out
No sex, no drugs, no life, no love
When it comes to today
Stay if you wanna love me, stay
Oh don't be shy, let's cause a scene
Like lovers do on silver screens
Let's make it yeah, we'll cause a scene
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
It's all I need
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
In a clutch
I'm talking every word for all the boys
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
It's all I need
Makin' up, breakin' up, what do you care
What do you care?
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
Two of us
Flipping through a thrift store magazine
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
It's all I need
Makin' up, breakin' up, what do you care
What do you care?
It's Indie rock 'n' roll for me
09 Believe Me Natalie (05:05)
Believe me, Natalie
Listen Natalie
This is your last chance to find
A go-go dance to disco now
Please believe me, Natalie
Listen Natalie
This is your last chance to find
A go-go dance to disco now
Forget what they said in Soho
Leave the oh-no's out
And believe me, Natalie
Listen Natalie
This is your last chance
There is an old cliché
Under your Monet, baby
Remember the arch of roses
Right above your couch
Forget what they said in Soho
Leave the oh-no's out
Yes, there is an old cliché
Under your Monet, baby
You left the station now to the floor
With speculation, what was it for?
In that old hallway
Mom says "why don't you stay...
you've been away for a long time"
Believe me, Natalie
This is your last chance
To find a go-go
Forget what they said in Soho
And walk away
If my dreams for us can't get you through
Just one more day
It's alright by me
God help me somehow
There's no time for survival left
The time is now...
Cause this might be your last chance
To disco, oh-oh
10 Midnight Show (04:02)
I know what you want
I'm gonna take you to a midnight show tonight
If you can keep a secret
I got a blanket in the back seat on my mind
And a little place that sits beneath the sky
She turned her face to speak
But no one heard her cry
Drive faster, boy
Drive faster, boy
I know there's a hope
There's too many people trying to help me cope
You got a real short skirt
I wanna look up, look up, look up
Yeah, yeah
We were just in time
Let me take a little more off your mind
There's something in my head
Somewhere in the back sayin
We were just a good thing
We were such a good thing
Make it go away without a word
But promise me you'll stay
And fix these things I've heard
Make it go away, oh wa oh wa oh
Drive faster, boy
The crashing tide can't hide a guilty girl
With jealous hearts that start with gloss and curls
I took my baby's breath beneath the chandelier
Of stars an atmosphere
And watched her disappear
Into the midnight show...
Faster, faster, faster,
Faster, faster, faster...
Oh no no no no no no,
no no no no no...
If you keep a secret
Well baby I can keep...
If you can keep a secret
She said she loved me...
If you keep a secret...
I can keep a secret
She said she loved me...
If you can keep a secret...
Well baby I can keep...
If you can keep a secret
11 Everything Will Be Alright (05:44)
Du-du-dudu
I believe in you and me
I'm coming to find you
If it takes me all night
Run until you make it right
And I won't forget you
At least I'll try
And run and run
Tonight
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Lalalala Oh Ho
Whilst I was out shopping for a doll
To say the least, I've thought I've seen them all
Then you took me by surprise
I'm dreaming about those dreamy eyes
I never knew, I never knew
So take your suitcases I don't mind
And maybe though I meant to
Every time
You don't need to compromise
I'm dreaming about those dreamy eyes
I never knew, I never knew
But it's alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright
Will be alright
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Other reviews
By Sallu
Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine opens what is, in my opinion, the best album of the year.
Every song has something to say, and they do so wonderfully.
By E morì con un felafel in culo
No one comes out alive from the '80s, especially if they make them last 80 years.
This damn song is shattering my balls... it haunts me even to the bathroom.
By Giando.K
We have on our hands an excellent product for being a debut album, a fairly fluid listen that demands constant and total attention.
The song 'Mr. Brightside' represents the turning point for Brandon & Co., expressing inner redundancy through classicist 'start to finish' lyrics.
