Day & Age

On November 24th, 2008 the Killers did not reinvent themselves.  Instead, with the release of their 4th album Day & Age, they did what they always do, with a little extra 80s on top.  You won't find anything more than what you expect from The Killers: synth pop rock, channeling Duran Duran, David Bowie, and The Smiths with a little more of a modern dance beat.

The album itself could almost be split right in two.  

The first 3 or 4 songs are really pop dance songs.  Vannucci Jr. really pushes the band forward with a pounding base drum.  Unfortunately, there are a large number of moments when it feels like Flowers can't keep up with the speed of the song.  His vocals seem to almost fall behind the beat. When he does keep up, it sounds as if he struggling to do so. 

The second half of the album is far more relaxed, starting with the African and Caribbean feel of This is Your Life and I Can't Stay.  The songs on this half of the album don't have the same push as the first few songs, but that also gives way to stronger vocals by Flowers.  I personally think the second half of the album is far and away the better half.

Honestly, this album won't blow anyone away.  The Killers aren't known for really reinventing the music world, and this album won't do anything to change that.  I personally feel they haven't created anything better than Hot Fuss, but this album is, once again, solid.  If you like The Killers, there should really be no complaints.  This is exactly what we have come to expect from the band, and the album, though not amazing, is a good listen.