The longevity of The Killers’ success is a rare thing. It’s fitting to release a record in celebration of such a feat with cuts from the Las Vegas band’s four albums.
Listening to the record straight through is a fascinating experience and a chance to hear the band’s growth over time. It begins with the four-piece’s arguably biggest hit ‘Mr. Brightside’ (from 2004’s Hot Fuss) before moving through tracks from Sam’s Town, Day & Age, and Battle Born.
It is, from the album’s chronological arrangement, easy to see where the band’s biggest hits lie – surprisingly towards the start of their career. The songs become less familiar and less nostalgic as the record progresses. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but interesting for a band that started so organically.
The record is a snapshot, if you will, of The Killers’ offerings over time. The deluxe edition contains a gem in the form of the original ‘Mr. Brightside’ demo, with the organic instrumentation and completely raw vocals making it a must-listen for any longtime Killers fan.
‘Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll’, ‘Bones’, ‘Andy You’re A Star’, and ‘Everything Will Be Alright’ are notable absentees from the collection. Two new tracks ‘Shot At The Night’ and ‘Just Another Girl’, while both pleasant extensions of The Killers’ material, don’t seem particularly imperative on the record – though it’s always lovely to hear new material from the band.
While The Killers have captured their distinctive sound well, the compilation is missing some of the ebb and flow of the studio albums, and the nuanced songs that really make them such a diverse group.
Listen to ‘Mr. Brightside’ here:
