The Killers - 'Hot Fuss' (Lizard King)
4/5
By: Toby L
The Killers; the most mismatched band-name we've quite possibly ever stumbled across. For, how can an ensemble so unashamedly intent on producing the finest clutch of pop songs we've thus far heard in 2004 come under such a deviant, demonic moniker?
Their debut 'Hot Fuss' is a veritable hotchpotch of blazing synths, wiry vocals and exhilaratingly eighties minor-chord treatment. And it's f**king terrific, we tells ya - a modern crossover riot to match any of the classic stalwarts from the era they so openly emulate.
But there's enough 'modern' about it to prevent this being a mere timewarp. Songs are urgent, bustling, and mirror the showy grind of late-night city-life (their Vegas heritage?). And just look at these future floor-pulverisers: 'Somebody Told Me' is The Strokes gone disco; 'Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine' an electro Smiths; recent iconic top-ten highlight 'Mr Brightside' is something solely The Killers; while the gospel-stomp breakdown in 'All These Things That I've Done' is so fidgetingly quirky and camp you'd think Freddie Mercury was still a-scribin' from under the soil.
Yet, in spite of the richness and sheer texture of the synth-laden, stodgy rock enterprise, the foursome know the mastery of contrast and abruptness - no case of filler, it's all, er, Killers. Also, we do get some genuine surprises - the druggy, scraping abrasion of 'Andy, You're A Star', the self-explanatory stadia-euphoria of 'Indie Rock & Roll', and the Kraftwerk keys of 'On Top'. It's a dazzling display.
Perhaps then, 'The Killers' is appropriate enough. With 'Hot Fuss', they'll slay you.
Artists in this article: The Killers
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