Sam’s Town - First Impressions
September 30, 2006 on 2:13 pm | 2 CommentsRight so I acquired Sam’s Town by The Killers a bit early. What better way to celebrate then to post a blog about my first impressions.
The Whole Album
I thought I’d listen to the whole thing through first. So I did. What I noticed is that the album is like When You Were Young in some ways, but not in others. Like WYWY the album is laced with religious symbology, which I guess spanned from Brandon Flower’s Mormon upbringing or something. I’m no judge. The album is also scattered with catchy tunes and good song writing. If those two are different. However the album is based much more in minor keys than WYWY. Brandon Flower’s flat singing also is different from in Hot Fuss. Rougher. Maybe less enjoyable. Maybe more.
Track by Track
1. “Sam’s Town” - This track is a great one according to me. As Foz said, it does sound like BF is singing by breathing in and out for most of the song, but it’s a good song nevertheless. It has a slightly fairground atmosphere to it. Don’t ask me why, it’s probably the last minute or so. The line that says “I see London, I see Sam’s Town” is also a great one. And the sudden change in tempo near 1/3 of the way in is appreciated.
2. “Enterlude” - It’s an introduction. Has a casino feel. Which is probably because Sam’s Town is an actual casino in Las Vegas. BF modulates his voice at one point, which is a good addition.
3. “When You Were Young” - What can I say, it’s When You Were Young. I actually do have something to say about it. Many people hate this track when they first hear it. But a few more listens and you can grow to love it. Highlights for me include the last repeat of the chorus to the synth buildup and the but where he says “and sometimes I close my eyes and see the place where we used to live”. Mmm mm.
4. “Bling (Confession of a King)” - Ignoring the totally crap name, this track gets off to a good start with a catchy and melodic verse/chorus thing. After that it gets a bit weird. I’ll need to listen a bit more for a full analysis.
5. “For Reasons Unknown” - I love this song. Probably because it has traditional Killer’s rifftastic riffality. It has a nice rythm to it, laced with majorly cool minor tonality. Brandon sings like he wants something, or feels passionately about something. Nice.
6. “Read My Mind” - I liked this track from the very first time I head it. It’s got a nice major chord thing going on. A nice chorus. Some nice vocal harmony going on. And most of all traditional killers-esque guitars. More religious slurs though.
7. “Uncle Jonny” - “While everybody else refrained, my Uncle johnny did cocaine. He’s convinced himself right in his brain, that it helps to take away the pain.” Forgetting that lyric. This song feels like Andy You’re A Star, with more bass and no climax. It goes about the same speed, and has the same vocal properties.
8. “Bones” - Their next single. I like it. It’ll come out this October *hint hint* Haloween, and have a video by Tim Burton. There’s a random choral-eqse “Come with me” just before the song starts which I can’t work out the reason for being there. Other than that it’s the Killers we know and love.
9. “My List” - A slow song. One of the only on the album. Unless you count Uncle Johnny. Which isn’t really that slow.
10. “This River Is Wild” - Another great song. It has everything a good Killers song needs.
11. “Why Do I Keep Counting?” - Foz says this sounds like a movie soundtrack. I don’t see it.
12. “Exitlude” - I bit longer than enterlude. More instrumental rather than vocal. It’s the end. Unless you count bonus tracks. Which I’m not saying anything about. Because I cba.
Overall
Great album but takes some getting into. I don’t know whether it’s better than Hot Fuss. Many would say it’s not, many would say it is. You should buy it. And love it. And cherish it. And have your very own Killer holiday with this album on repeat. But be warned. Like I, if you’re a Killers fan, you may be a bit disappointed because it’s a change. Maybe a bit shocking. But it grows on you. Don’t have expectations, if you do, you might start off by being disappointed.
8/10
PS sorry for getting sloppy with the later tracks, I’ve listened to the start more than the end. I’ll get to them.