The Killers - “The Way It Was”

You probably wouldn’t assume this about me even if you’ve read my blog for a long time, but I used to really love The Killers. Their 2004 debut Hot Fuss was a solid piece of post-Strokes revivalism, but the 2006 followup Sam’s Town was what really sold me. For all its pomp, grandiose synth swells and utter lyrical dumbness, that album was easily the best spin on the Born To Run sentiment since, well, Born To Run. Unfortunately, 2008’s Day and Age was a trainwreck; all the dumbness was there (remember “are we human, or are we dancer?”) but without any of the sticky-sweet melodic rush.

Thankfully, The Killers are back with a new LP called Battle Born, and it signals a reversion back to the Bruce Springsteen-aping synth rock that my 14 year-old self loved so dearly. I have to say that although much of the appeal might be nostalgic, I am fucking loving this album. Click above to check out “The Way It Was,” one of my favorite tracks from the record. It has everything that I love and so many love to hate about this band: chugging power chords, plinking “Dancing In The Dark” keys, and frontman Brandon Flower’s indomitable warble. It feels good to have this band back in the pocket.

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Battle Born is out now on Vertigo/Island Records. Purchase it via Amazon HERE.