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For those of you who just can’t get enough of The Killers, they’re back with their latest CD, Sawdust, a compilation of previously unreleased session tracks, B-sides and rarities-seventeen in all.
This album launches with intensity in its opening cut, “Tranquilize.” Lead singer, Brandon Flowers, shares vocals with one of my favorite rock legends, Lou Reed, formerly of 1960’s Velvet Underground (and who, by the way, stunned us with his early ’70’s solo hit “Walk on the Wild Side”.) This song is definitely Lou Reed’s style with all of its understatement and cynicism.
Enough of Lou. “Tranquilize” set a high standard for the rest of the album, which I expected these Las Vegas natives to maintain. The quick and angry “All the Pretty Faces” gave me hope. Then my mind began to wander. Cut 8, “Show You How,” brought me back on track. This brief song turned out to be my favorite of the album, reminiscent of classic rock at its best. The powerful “Move Away” followed and kept the momentum going.
However, tedium soon reappeared. “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” a respectable remake of the 1960’s Mel Tillis classic, made famous by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, once again, broke the monotony. This heart-wrenching song tells of the tribulations of love and war, specifically during the Vietnam era.
With few exceptions, the beat and melodies of the songs are just too similar, and will lull even the most severe insomniac to sleep. Too bad these guys couldn’t match the music to their biting lyrics.
How many B-sides can you churn out before they just become fillers? If you don’t mind constantly fast-forwarding to catch the notable songs, then this CD may be for you. Be forewarned, though, you’ll have to wade through a lot of mediocre cuts to get to the good ones. I’d just download the best and skip the rest, as my iPod space is just too precious. Don’t blame them though; they already told us: “B-sides.” That’s truth in advertising.
