[sarahanne]

Now that is a damn fine review

[elmokeep]

I don't like ragging on bands, but this really was awful. And I love the first album a lot.

[The Fool]

That's hilarious. That's why I have a strict no-Killers policy at my club. Them and Jet

What about the opening bands though?

[TimBurke]

Good to see reviewers who can give a bad crap and give reasons for it, instead of the just being negative. Glad I am not alone. Nice one mate.

[TimBurke]

Good to see reviewers who can give a bad crap and give reasons for it, instead of the just being negative. Glad I am not alone. Nice one mate.

[interpolantics]

i personally think sams town is a far better album than hot fuss (by a long shot) and think the killers are an amazing live band.

[shanti_lttl]

Great review. Pretty much sums up what I think of The Killers now. Forgot to mention the (lack of) photographers at the shows though.

[random_hero]

im glad i didnt go then

[de-tec-tive]

Originally Posted by interpolantics

i personally think sams town is a far better album than hot fuss (by a long shot) and think the killers are an amazing live band.

agreed, and i saw them in January and they were awesome, i can't possibly see how they could be this awful live.

[interpolantics]

the review was poor. of course the reviewer isnt going to like the show if they have such strong views about the second album and havent given it the time of day (the review should of been about the show, not the two albums). startinbg off from that bias point of view, its clear that the review was never going to be favourable to the killers.

i am seeing both their meblourne shows over the next two days and cant wait! saw them at big day out and festy hall earlier this year and found them brilliant live in their side show, more exciting than any other act i have seen live (including U2, crowded house, etc).

[sarahanne]

I have been to a couple of shows in my time where you are just so let down it's hard not to rag..

[sarahanne]

Originally Posted by interpolantics

the review was poor. of course the reviewer isnt going to like the show if they have such strong views about the second album and havent given it the time of day (the review should of been about the show, not the two albums). startinbg off from that bias point of view, its clear that the review was never going to be favourable to the killers.

i am seeing both their meblourne shows over the next two days and cant wait! saw them at big day out and festy hall earlier this year and found them brilliant live in their side show, more exciting than any other act i have seen live (including U2, crowded house, etc).

The review wasn’t poor- it was actually one of the best and most honest reviews I have read on here in a while. It is clear she has been a fan, so she didn’t go in preparation to slam them. And the albums have everything to do with a live performance, given the huge disparity in quality between The Killers first and second albums. If you hadn’t noticed bands actually play tracks off their releases at gigs..

The fact that you are seeing both their Melbourne shows clearly shows that if you had reviewed it would have been far more biased. Your opinion may be different to that of the review, but that doesn’t make it a bad review. If you want to read a bad review, check out the one about the Hell City Glamours..

[interpolantics]

sarahanne,

of course i am bias as i am a fan. the reviewer was bias as they clearly were not. it is a review which is an opinion piece - not fact or truth. juding by the review... the reviewer seemed to be the only one NOT enjoying the show.

the review was poor in that it spoke little of the killers as a live band. it made comparisons with other stars and talked about the way they looked, taking cheap shots at the individual members and stage set-up. just one papragraph attempted to justify her opinion.

mentioning 'bones' as the best track of sam's town is an interesting one - given that it is generally seen by fans as one of the worst songs on that album. when i listen to hot fuss now, though i thought it was an amazing album at the time, it pales in comparison to the more mature sam's town. lyrically and vocally it is a lot deeper. hot fuss had about 5 good tracks, whereas sam's town is great from start -> finish.

[elmokeep]

Hey, I really like this band. I think they had something great happening, but really they were woeful. I was really looking forward to it and hoping it would be great, but it wasn't.

The point of criticism is to be honest. I don't enjoy giving bad reviews (infact, this is the first I've ever given), and I think snarky reviews are the cheapest form of writing. However, the Killers are not rocking any original schtick. You've said yourself you've seen U2 live - I've never seen anyone outright steal another band's schtick like the Killers ripped off U2 this gig. Bono is Bono and perhaps thankfully, there's only one of him. Everything - from Brandon Flower's vain attempts at communicating with the crowd by throwing shapes, to the video montage. It was a series of shots, by Anton Corbijn, of JOSHUA TREES. Seriously. That record might be 20 years old, but there are people who remember its iconography. Not many people at this show, however.

This gig was like a parody of stadium rock, only it wasn't ironic. It was serious. And it was lame.

[sarahanne]

Interpolantics.

You seemed to have a problem with the fact that elmokeep didn’t like the second album and inferred this would create bias in the review. And I was pointing out that of course it would create an obvious point of criticism within a review, but not necessarily bias. Just as, if you had written a review it would probably be completely rose-tinted and incapable of criticism as you appear to be a rabid fan.

She was obviously a fan herself, the review states that. I believe to call it a bad review is just ignorant. It is well written and takes apart the stage show, rather than glorifying the artists. A review can be critical and good. It was refreshing not to read a fluff piece.

At the end of the day music criticism is opinion - but that was a good review!

[dkos]

I read this review to find out what the reviewer thought of the show, not to gain a complete and full understanding of the show itself (if that makes sense).. If I wanted to understand the show for myself I would've gone to the concert.

[quannum]

My missus has been a huge Killers fan ever since she heard my copy of Hot Fuss, and she, along with much of the audience there, loved the gig.

I agree that Sam's Town isn't as great an album as Hot Fuss, but the thing that shits me the most was the awful sound at the gig. We went to see them at the Hordern in January (where the show was almost exactly the same, bar the cover of Shadowplay - which would go over the heads of many of the younger audience members anyway) and the sound was at least a million times better. Over the years I've been to a number of dodgy clubs that have left ringing in my ears, but for a supposed top Sydney venue, the sound was shocking.

[willowtree]

Wow, and i thought it was all because i was sitting in the back row... yes... the very last row of the Ent Centre... you can imagine how wonderful the accoustics were up there.
I don't mind Sams Town, and I loved the Killers at the BIg Day Out in Jan, but I was a little disappointed with the show this time around. I was willing to put it down to the venue. Sorry, I did think the glitter was cool (it looked cool from the back row anyway) and I liked that despite the crowd filing out of Exits after encore #1 they still hit the stage for a second encore... (U2's Helter Skelter... but it was still good for a sing-a-long)... Not sure it was worth $80 though...

[elmokeep]

I agree that the best moment was when they played someone else's song. And it sounded atrocious - I think down the front things would have been better sounding.

[interpolantics]

I think it was a poor review of the show as it didn't seem to represent how the show went down with the majority of the people there. It is the only bad review I have read of that particular concert and think it is more a reflection of the reviewer's personal opinion toward the Killers and the new direction they seem to be taking with their music (which is what seems to really bug elmokeep, through comparisons with U2, etc).

Yeah, The Killers have used Anton Corbijn (the photographer that did Joshua Tree) for Sam's Town and I think it perfectly reflects that album and its meaning. Bono is a massive fan of the Killers and has effectively said he thinks the Killers are the only band capable of taking their mantle. Perhaps the Killers, Brandon in particular, is taking that very seriously.

I saw U2's show and am a massive fan, but I didn't feel as much energy or enthusiam from that concert than when I saw The Killers earlier this year.

No review can be without its bias which is why they are just opinion pieces. The review was well written, though I thought it took some cheap shots and was overly cynical - coming from an already negative outlook. Despite this, I WAS looking at it through my rose-tinted Killers glasses! lol. I must admit however, that my fandom is not so extreme that I am entirely incapable of criticism. I hated the song For Reasons Unknown and was devastated it was released as a single. I was also disappointed when I saw them at Big Day Out.

[elmokeep]

I think my problem with this show is identical to my problem with Wolfmother. I am aware that millions of people love these bands, however, they are both pale imitations of the artists who inspired them, and their audiences are in the main, too young to know what they're ripping off. Some do this brilliantly, others like the Killers at this particular show, do it poorly. It absolultely lacked authenticity for me.

Here's Rolling Stone's two star review of Sam's Town:
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/...8772/sams_town

[dancingshoes]

re: the sound
i went on both sat and sunday night, saturday i had floor tickets and was quite close to the front and it sounded amazing
sunday i was a few rows from the back of the entcent and the sound was pretty damn crap.
sunday did get tranquilise and leave the bourbon on the shelf though.

i still enjoyed both nights regardless, and i like sams town

[becmreb]

Would've been nice to hear about the support bands that played (Louis XIV

[becmreb]

Would've been nice to hear about the support bands that played (Louis XIV

[silvertone]

nevermind

[disasterplan]

Bias: noun
Biased: adjective

It's not hard.

[melfunb]

well, I had fun... better than sittin in front of the tele for two hours ;-)

[melfunb]

Would've been nice to hear about the support bands that played

missed Louis XIV, but have seen Howling Bells support Placebo previously, and if you wanna see a try-hard poser, check out their guitarist....I'll take Brandon's posing over that anytime...

[Stefan Beck]

What?

Hot Fuss was awful.
Sam's Town was much better.

[anudie85]

i was front row. i love it. totally inspirign. howlng bells sucked tho. every song sounded the same.

[annewidj]

Bit harsh. I think "several" short piano interludes is a bit of an exaggeration, they were only two and they were off Sam's Town. And I'm glad he moved around, there is nothing more boring than the lead singer of a band standing in the same spot for the whole night. But I do agree that the Joy Division cover was a very strong track.

[David Percival]

Well, what can I say....another narrow minded review from a supposed expert!?!? I thought the killers we great, very energetic, and the however many 1000's in the crowd seemed to think the same! To compare them to such great bands as radiohead and the cure at such an early stage is commonly known as a "school boy error"!!! I watched The Killers at Glastonbury a few years ago and they were brilliant, the addition of the new album has only made their live act better. I'm sure some will disagree, but compared with most of the crap available in Oz at the moment, how can anyone complain? Keep watching the sparkley things and the guitarists hairstyle and your gig reviews will continue to be this good! Great Job Mate!!!

[Brian B]

Originally Posted by willowtree

(U2's Helter Skelter... but it was still good for a sing-a-long)...

Note: Helter Skelter was originally done by the Beatles.
U2 covered it. In fact, if I remember correctly, they stole it back from Charles Manson.

[sarahanne]

Originally Posted by David Percival

Well, what can I say....another narrow minded review from a supposed expert!?!? I thought the killers we great, very energetic, and the however many 1000's in the crowd seemed to think the same! To compare them to such great bands as radiohead and the cure at such an early stage is commonly known as a "school boy error"!!! I watched The Killers at Glastonbury a few years ago and they were brilliant, the addition of the new album has only made their live act better. I'm sure some will disagree, but compared with most of the crap available in Oz at the moment, how can anyone complain? Keep watching the sparkley things and the guitarists hairstyle and your gig reviews will continue to be this good! Great Job Mate!!!

I dont even know whereto start with this one.

You Sir - are a Wanker.

[shanti_lttl]

Originally Posted by Stefan Beck

What?

Hot Fuss was awful.
Sam's Town was much better.

Sam's Town was a cover album.

[Alan Zeino]

http://www.last.fm/event/300956/reviews

[mooney88]

Originally Posted by David Percival

Well, what can I say....another narrow minded review from a supposed expert!?!? I thought the killers we great, very energetic, and the however many 1000's in the crowd seemed to think the same! To compare them to such great bands as radiohead and the cure at such an early stage is commonly known as a "school boy error"!!! I watched The Killers at Glastonbury a few years ago and they were brilliant, the addition of the new album has only made their live act better. I'm sure some will disagree, but compared with most of the crap available in Oz at the moment, how can anyone complain? Keep watching the sparkley things and the guitarists hairstyle and your gig reviews will continue to be this good! Great Job Mate!!!

fuck this post.

[Stefan Beck]

Originally Posted by shanti_lttl

Sam's Town was a cover album.

Shanti,ya mum is a cover album!

Since Hot Fuss has that song where it's just "Everything will be alright,everything will be alright,everything will be alllllllrrrrriiiiiiggggggghhhhhht" repeated over and over for five minutes Sam's Town is clearly the superior product.

[shanti_lttl]

At least Hot Fuss didn't imitate The Killers idols too much. It did but it wasn't as obvious as Sam's Town.

[dkos]

It depends what you want;

Hot Fuss was a great pop record... Sam's Town, while still being true to their pop-stylings moves away from what made Hot Fuss so popular on most songs. It's a growth, a bit different, but I too think it is better than Hot Fuss. Although Mr. Brightside is by far their greatest song.

[peterbuch74]

As a casual fan I went to the Killers gig at Rod Laver in Melbourne last night.

Luckily had GA tix and managed to get up right next to the stage.

Walking out of the gig I am a full fledged fan. I've been to 100s of gigs in the past 15 years and would have to say that it was one of the best I'd seen at that venue.

I did hear of some grumbling heading out about how muddy the sound was at the back of the venue, but on the floor it was crisp, and I couldn't fault it.

After whipping the crowd into a frenzy early with 5 of their main tracks, the band kicked into a selection of album tracks before reigniting for Mr Brightside.

Following their encore, the band re-emerged stating that this would be their last gig in a while and to excuse them for having a bit of fun.

The lads from Louis XIV joined them on stage showering the band in beer and ripping the stage props apart amd throwing them out into the crowd.

Then Brandon Flowers looked to the crowd and stated that he was at the venue in January watching Roger Federer break whatever tennis record he did, and said that the sound from the crowd was deafening then and that the 10,000+ fans packed in should easily out-do it.

With that said, the band ripped into the second half on When You We're Young for a final encore for which the crowd absolutely lapped up.

Maybe it was because I was up close, but this gig definitely rocked. I did stop a few times to check out the faces in the crowd in the lower seating section and they were into it too.

All-in-all I'd give this a gig a 9 out of 10!

Highly recommended.

[dkos]

That's one thing I did hear about this gig, they played When You Were Young like 4 or 5 times?

[peterbuch74]

Nah, they played it once at the start of the gig and then the abridged version at the end.

I think a lot of people get confused with "enterlude" and "exitlude" (which are essentially the same thing) that appear on the album between Sams Town and When You We're Young.

They covered the lyrics of this part 3 or 4 times throughout the gig.

[neondreadlock]

Possibly one of the most worthwile & engaging gig reviews this year! I adore the killers, Have been a fan since before Hot Fuss and have seen them on all 3 visits to Sydney, and as a fan, I got something out of the show, but like it or not, elmokeep is right on the money coming in many aspects of his review.

[elmokeep]

>his review.

hers. but thanks!

[melfunb]

Originally Posted by dkos

That's one thing I did hear about this gig, they played When You Were Young like 4 or 5 times?

aah, the joys of hearsay...

Can't say I've ever understood the need to get all antsy when someone disses a gig you personally enjoyed...isn't it better to just feel sorry that the writer had to endure two hours of "drowning frequencies...histrionic warbling...bereft of...electro pop sensibilities, and fat-free, punchy songwriting" (all hail the mighty 'cut and paste') while you were having the time of your life and dancing your so-called ignorant 'pre-Springsteen & John Cougar Mellencamp' socks off??

Alls I know is that I'm now a firm fan of vanilla icecream (and here I was thinking Mint Choc Chip was the best, sheesh, I really AM ignorant) and I'll be first in line for seconds

[ted_walker]

the killers are shit on a corn on the cob. there new album is shithouse.

[ted_walker]

the killers are shit on a corn on the cob. there new album is shithouse.

[ted_walker]

the killers are shit on a corn on the cob. there new album is shithouse.

[ted_walker]

the killers are shit on a corn on the cob. there new album is shithouse.