Sam's Town

Very much a 20th century band, The Killers have turned their initial obsession with British alternative pop, indie rock and lo-fi into a huge, stadium-filling sound that manages to retain integrity while appealing to the mainstream. In that happy place they've released four studio albums that have sold an estimated 22 million copies worldwide (all four topping the UK charts) and matched the long form discs' Platinum status with massive hit singles.

Following up an album that sold over six million copies in the UK, Europe and the US alone could have been daunting but the Killers were on such a roll that Sam's Town (2006) took them even further. Flowers' distinctive lyrics and voice and his increasing piano and electric keyboards skills added new depth to a disc recorded in Nevada and London with co-producers Alan Moulder and Flood keeping the sound razor contemporary.

Since it was obvious by now that the band was already established, and wearing the trappings of stardom well, they could have taken a critical backlash. They didn't because the lead single "When You Were Young" expanded their sonic ambition with a heartland sweep that nodded to Bruce Springsteen's first two albums and topped the US Alternative Songs chart (it made #2 in the UK). While the lovely "For Reasons Unknown" slipped through the net it is another standout cut. The same applies to "Read My Mind," a piece that Brandon still considers to be amongst his very best.

1. Sam's Town
2. Enterlude
3. When You Were Young
4. Bling (Confession Of A King)
5. For Reasons Unknown
6. Read My Mind
7. Uncle Jonny
8. Bones
9. My List
10. This River Is Wild
11. Why Do I Keep Counting?
12. Exitlude