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July 30, 2008

The Killers Debut "Spaceman," "Neon Tiger" In NYC

thumbnail icon: The Killers Debut "Spaceman," "Neon Tiger" In NYC

Wow, it's sorta been awhile since we've heard from the Killers. Almost feels like, oh say 20 years (in blog time; actually it's barely been eight months). Last night the band played Highline Ballroom for a fan club show (i.e. we were not there) and premiered a couple of new tunes. In the time since the disappointing (though not without its moments) Sam's Town, it would appear Brandon Flowers has remembered how to shave, how not to ape the Boss (see: "Neon Tiger"), and, on the crowd-rousing "Spaceman," how to write a hook.

"Spaceman"

"Neon Tiger"

A couple of cringy couplets dropping in that "Neon Tiger" breakdown, but overall not bad, and congrats to Brandon for sounding better live than usual. Sorry if you didn't know about the show and wish you were there, but I guess membership in Sam's Club has its privileges. The Killers are on track to finish their third LP before playing Reading and Leeds this August. Also they are about to reach their peak, so watch out now.

Posted at 11:38 AM by amrit in
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38 Comments

Has anyone seen this new Nike ad with the Killers song in it?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pit0zG1vswM

Posted by: Fred at 07/30/08 12:00 PM  | Reply
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Am I the only person who thought Sam's Town was good?

Posted by: Spencer at 07/30/08 12:02 PM  | Reply
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No, I thought Sam's Town was criminally underrated too. Yes, it did take a little too much from the boss, but i thought that the songs and melodies were more than enough to compensate. I just don't think there's enough white noise or atonal qualities in their music for most indie fans.

Posted by: WAREAGLE  in reply to Spencer's comment at 07/30/08 12:26 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, it may of borrowed a little from the Boss, but noone what criticizing Aracade Fire's sophomore album (which I love) for sounding like Springsteen. The difference was that The Killer's had more commercial success. When success happens, the haters come out in droves. Sam's Town was a very good album, not the "classic" that Flower's proclaimed it would be, but solid nonetheless.

Posted by: Greg  in reply to WAREAGLE's comment at 07/30/08 1:08 PM  | Reply
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I thought it had a couple of worthy singles, and was otherwise comically overblown. Like Brandon had these cartoony ideas for what would make an Important sounding album. "Read My Mind" still kills it though.

Posted by: amrit profile link  in reply to Spencer's comment at 07/30/08 12:44 PM  | Reply
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Aw, fuck... I just realized I dig the shit out of the Killers. There goes my nonexistent cred.

Posted by: Andrew at 07/30/08 12:11 PM  | Reply
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I liked Sam's Town.

Posted by: Cygnet_Comm profile link at 07/30/08 12:13 PM  | Reply
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f the killers, tell us about skeletal lamping and high places!!!

Posted by: anon at 07/30/08 12:34 PM  | Reply
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I second this. I'm really interested in hear about Skeletal Lamping especially, seeing that it's supposed to be over-the-top in the bubblegum pop.

Posted by: Michael  in reply to anon's comment at 07/30/08 2:16 PM  | Reply
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Best live debut of two new songs in the last 20 years. Easy.

Posted by: Greg at 07/30/08 2:15 PM  | Reply
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Personally, I found Sam's Town a better album than hot fuss as I felt they came more into their own...though there were less chart topping singles the album had more depth...

By the way the song spaceman is awesome here

Posted by: Niall at 07/30/08 2:43 PM  | Reply
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i thought there would be way more hating up in here.

hmmm.

Posted by: grace6697 profile link at 07/30/08 3:15 PM  | Reply
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OF MONTREAL!!!!!!!

Posted by: JAck at 07/30/08 3:28 PM  | Reply
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No more mustache?!

Posted by: Pual at 07/30/08 4:40 PM  | Reply
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i liked the mustache

Posted by: b at 07/30/08 5:05 PM  | Reply
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the neon tiger is right next to the gold lion in the zoo.

Posted by: specner at 07/30/08 5:27 PM  | Reply
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sam's town had like 4 good songs on it, but they are not better than the 4 good songs on hot fuss

Posted by: grover at 07/30/08 9:37 PM  | Reply
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Thought Sam Town was awesome. The first seven songs are fantastic, and I'm a big fan of albums that tell a story or build on a theme.

Posted by: Joel at 07/30/08 9:45 PM  | Reply
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Hey! Watch your language! Sam`s Town is awesome, period. I hope The Killers dont go back to the girly Hot Fuss, they sound better rockin`

Posted by: Alexandro at 07/30/08 9:56 PM  | Reply
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not hating on the killers or anything, but when is brandon flowers going to get a new outfit?

Posted by: katie profile link at 07/30/08 10:47 PM  | Reply
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seems like everyone here liked sam's town except for amrit.

Posted by: Matt at 07/30/08 10:54 PM  | Reply
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I'm with Amrit.

Posted by: william at 07/30/08 11:56 PM  | Reply
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I like Sam's Town a lot. It takes quite a while but it eventually grows on you. You just have to keep an open mind while listening to it and not be too cynical- then it's really enjoyable. Give in to the bombast!

And these new songs sound promising...

Posted by: Danielle profile link at 07/31/08 1:52 AM  | Reply
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Oh, Sam's Town was boring and drab. More Times New Viking and High Places!!!!

Posted by: John Stone at 07/31/08 12:02 PM  | Reply
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Sam's Town is one of my favorite albums. Totally underrated. People tend to write off The Killers too quickly. Spaceman has the emotion of Sam's Town, but the energy of Hot Fuss; but it's a little more Sam's Town than Hot Fuss. Just how I like it.

Posted by: vdcvc at 07/31/08 4:38 PM  | Reply
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The first five songs on Hot Fuss kill anything the Killers have done since.
"I got soul, but I'm not a soldier!"

Posted by: Robert at 07/31/08 9:35 PM  | Reply
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I'm with you in thinking that Sam's Town was incredible. Its songs also need to be heard live for their full effect to be felt--Read My Mind and This River Is Wild are just massive.

That said, how did I not hear about this concert? Is it a secret show or something of those sorts? Thought I was pretty up-to-date on The Killers and I would have loved to be there. A shame...

Posted by: Shane at 08/01/08 11:48 AM  | Reply
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Saw them at the MGM Grand last night, played "Spaceman" and "Neon Tiger". Awesome stage presence, Brandon did sound top notch (disregarding some weird tone shifts during a few chorus'). But other than that, absolutely stellar! Hot Fuss, Sam's Town, great albums, easy for anyone to enjoy!!

Posted by: Jake at 08/01/08 1:26 PM  | Reply
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*comes out of the closet*

I like the Killers and I don't care who knows it!

And Bones was always an awesome song.

Posted by: Sharky profile link at 08/01/08 7:20 PM  | Reply
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I thought I would check out these new songs even though I'm not a Killers fan..hoping I would hear something cool/new/interesting. Nope! Brandon Flowers is still a tool. There's nothing original coming from this band and it's just so damn repetitive. I wish some more bands would have some balls to branch out and listen to all the other amazing music of the past other than Bruce Springsteen. Sam's Town was crap! How can ripping off a legend be acceptable? Why would you even want to do it unless you're really just a washed up pile of dung with no creative skills. Record label pressure will put an end to this sorry cover band.

Posted by: Mr.Mojo at 08/03/08 7:45 AM  | Reply
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Something people don't rag on enough: The Killers are four really, really ugly guys.

Posted by: Greg at 08/03/08 1:31 PM  | Reply
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Ummm.... no.

Posted by: Danielle profile link  in reply to Greg's comment at 08/04/08 12:18 PM  | Reply
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I've always liked The Killers, not sure why so many flat out hate them, but at least someone over the age of 18 is still making pop rock.

August '08 All-New, All-Different! Senses-Shattering, Giant-Size New Music Mix!

Be the first on your block! Impress your friends! Take that Joneses!

http://www.box.net/shared/vmlk45vcw4

Posted by: Jon at 08/03/08 3:11 PM  | Reply
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Someone did the mp3 leg work if you didn't already have them...

http://archivosinmorales.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Jon at 08/03/08 5:11 PM  | Reply
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disappointing? pfff wth? not to many people actually

Posted by: marianne at 08/06/08 2:19 PM  | Reply
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This article can kiss my natural born Lebanese ass. Sam's Town was amazing.

Posted by: Leila at 08/06/08 7:12 PM  | Reply
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"at least someone over the age of 18 is still making pop rock."

Them, and MAROON 5.

Posted by: ALL-AMERICAN REJECT at 08/06/08 7:16 PM  | Reply
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Ummm excuse me! Brandon Flowers is the most gorgeous man alive

Posted by: Deanna at 09/26/08 8:34 PM  | Reply
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