They might hail from the bright lights of Las Vegas but the debut album from latest buzz band The Killers displays some serious Anglophile tendencies. Taking their name from a New Order video that featured a fictional band with the ‘perfect’ looks and song (apparently Barney and co were feeling a little chubby at the time), their music is a robust mix of influences that is very NOW, albeit in a retro-flavoured eighties kind of way.
Mainman Brandon Flowers (bless) and cohorts pinch from The Cure here, a smidgin of Duran Duran there, give a nod of recognition to Interpol and wrap it all up with a big dose of Sin City swagger and liberal use of hi-hats a la The Rapture. First single ‘Somebody Told Me’ (“Somebody told me/you had a boyfriend/that looked like a girlfriend”) is an impressive calling card, a fast’n’moody synth-pop rocker which is probably the closest thing to an anthem they have in their armoury.
But not all of Hot Fuss displays such a killer instinct. ‘Mr. Brightside’ is another obvious highlight, a tale of jealousy and paranoia that again displays their ear for a decent hook and chorus reminiscent of an updated version of The Cars and even early U2 (Alan Moulder of U2 and Smashing Pumpkins fame features on mixing duties). But elsewhere their undoubted ambition gets ahead of them. Introducing a Gospel band to pasty-faced indie tunes “All These Things That I’ve Done’ and ‘Andy, You’re a Star’ reeks of dodginess.
‘Indie Rock ‘n’ Roll’ meanwhile features a big chorus of “It’s indie rock’n’roll for me, it’s in my soul, it’s what I need” which to be honest would have most self-respecting indie fans cringing, Flowers letting the haughty-cool persona slip to dangerous effect. If you wanted to be REALLY cruel you might say that at their worst they sound like Shed Seven through an eighties karaoke machine, but seeing as that’s too gruesome to imagine we’ll try and stick to their good points and say that they’re not as po-faced as Interpol but not as much fun as Hot Hot Heat.
Overall The Killers are an interesting addition to the raft of eighties-flavoured retro revivalists around at the moment, but they won’t be giving the likes of Franz Ferdinand a run for their money just yet.