2008 Woodie Awards
Sawdust
4 Stars
Colleen Sheehy
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 12/6/07 at 6:45 PM EST
Last update: 12/6/07 at 6:44 PM EST
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The Killers not-so-new album "Sawdust" is one worth bringing into the light.
Although it has a slow beginning, the album proves itself worthy of your listening time.
The first track, "Tranquilize," is a bit weird and slow and has creepy voices of kids in the background.
"Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf" is a classic breakup song.
It's like the kind you find yourself listening to on iTunes at 3 a.m. when you're thinking of that special someone who got away.
Sad, but done well.
But right after you listen to the "wow I'm pretty upset today" song, "Sweet Talk" is there to check in on your optimism, kind of.
This song pretty much sends a message of, - yeah, everything sucks but it really isn't that bad.
Or at least that's how I took it.
"Under the Gun" is one of the better tracks on the album. The sound of the song is reminiscent to the groups "Mr. Brightside," which has probably been their most popular song to date.
But I'm sure the "kill me now/kill me now/kill me now" chorus will keep it from taking off anywhere thanks to all of the ultra-sensitive over-bearing mothers in the world today.
"Where the White Boys Dance" sounds like The Killers were tripping on something when singing, or writing it - but it works while the chorus sounds like something out of the '70s.
"Show You How" opens up with a cute voicemail message of the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, assuming leaving a message for a girlfriend and/or ex-girlfriend.
"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" is straight country. It sounds like it was produced by George Strait, if you're into that kind of thing.
The percussion opening in "Daddy's Eyes" gives it a serious undertone but upbeat at the same time.
It's a boy in love with a daddy's girl song filled with standard teenage drama.
The piano playing in "Sam's Town" gives it a Billy Joel feel, but obviously not played quite as well as Joel.
The song is sad and slow, but good for relaxing.
"Romeo and Juliet" has kind of a country/bluesy tone to it and tells a more modern story of the classic Shakespeare play.
The last song on the album is a remix of "Mr. Brightside."
This kind of techno/new wave version is nothing close to as good as the original version, but shows the group's versatility.
All in all, the album is solid. It has enough variety but still stays true to The Killers sound that we are familiar with.
It gets slow in some parts but the stronger songs on the album make up for it.
The CD is good to keep in your car for those long road trips in the car with someone you don't know so it won't be awkward.
Although it has a slow beginning, the album proves itself worthy of your listening time.
The first track, "Tranquilize," is a bit weird and slow and has creepy voices of kids in the background.
"Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf" is a classic breakup song.
It's like the kind you find yourself listening to on iTunes at 3 a.m. when you're thinking of that special someone who got away.
Sad, but done well.
But right after you listen to the "wow I'm pretty upset today" song, "Sweet Talk" is there to check in on your optimism, kind of.
This song pretty much sends a message of, - yeah, everything sucks but it really isn't that bad.
Or at least that's how I took it.
"Under the Gun" is one of the better tracks on the album. The sound of the song is reminiscent to the groups "Mr. Brightside," which has probably been their most popular song to date.
But I'm sure the "kill me now/kill me now/kill me now" chorus will keep it from taking off anywhere thanks to all of the ultra-sensitive over-bearing mothers in the world today.
"Where the White Boys Dance" sounds like The Killers were tripping on something when singing, or writing it - but it works while the chorus sounds like something out of the '70s.
"Show You How" opens up with a cute voicemail message of the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, assuming leaving a message for a girlfriend and/or ex-girlfriend.
"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" is straight country. It sounds like it was produced by George Strait, if you're into that kind of thing.
The percussion opening in "Daddy's Eyes" gives it a serious undertone but upbeat at the same time.
It's a boy in love with a daddy's girl song filled with standard teenage drama.
The piano playing in "Sam's Town" gives it a Billy Joel feel, but obviously not played quite as well as Joel.
The song is sad and slow, but good for relaxing.
"Romeo and Juliet" has kind of a country/bluesy tone to it and tells a more modern story of the classic Shakespeare play.
The last song on the album is a remix of "Mr. Brightside."
This kind of techno/new wave version is nothing close to as good as the original version, but shows the group's versatility.
All in all, the album is solid. It has enough variety but still stays true to The Killers sound that we are familiar with.
It gets slow in some parts but the stronger songs on the album make up for it.
The CD is good to keep in your car for those long road trips in the car with someone you don't know so it won't be awkward.
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