"HUMAN" THE KILLERS (2008)

For the next 30 days, I’ll be taking the #AprilAcrossAmerica challenge, picking one song a day as I make my way across the country and across genres at the same time.

Day 26: Las Vegas, NV

From the outset, I knew this roadtrip across America would require a visit to Vegas. After Elvis, there may not be an artist more tied to this place than The Killers. What a breath of fresh air they were when Hot Fuss descended on the music world. They weren’t subtle at all with their 80’s-influenced sound. More like a kick in the nuts than a nod. The band’s sound wasn’t the only thing that found its footing in that decade of music. Brandon Flowers’ vocals and songwriting are very eighties in their own way as well. While Sam’s Town felt more masculine and more rock, Day and Age had a lightness to it that suggested a band that wasn’t ready to be pigeonholed.

“Human” is that rarest of pop songs that’s incredibly catchy and surprisingly cerebral at the same time. The Killers up until this point wrote songs that felt personal, but “Human” was philosophical and showed the band’s ability to write about bigger things in life in a more accessible way. It doesn’t rock like “When You Were Young”, “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine” or “Mr. Brightside”, but it rolls.

“Pay my respects to grace and virtue. Send my condolences to good. Give my regards to soul and romance. They always did the best they could. And so long to devotion. You taught me everything I know. Wave goodbye. Wish me well. You've gotta let me go.”

"MR. BRIGHTSIDE" THE KILLERS (2004)

I generally gravitate to the music first before the lyrics. But as a writer, I still marvel at well-spun verses and choruses. This month, I’m joining the music Twitter community in #31DaySongLyricChallenge

Day 8

When Hot Fuss came out in 2004, I felt like I was reliving the glory of 80’s new wave all over again. I was back in heaven with those shimmery synth riffs. And Brandon Flowers’ lyrics made for anecdotes that you could really sing along to. Everyone knows the opening guitar chords to the song, but once Flowers starts singing, that’s where the magic happens. Because we join in and sing along, too.

“Jealousy, turning saints into the sea. Swimming through sick lullabies. Choking on your alibis. But it's just the price I pay. Destiny is calling me. Open up my eager eyes cause I'm Mr Brightside.”

"SOMEBODY TOLD ME" THE KILLERS (2004)

Each day in December, I’ll be reflecting back on a song from the 2000’s. The decade saw the return of post-punk and the popularization of folk music, all while some of music’s biggest acts gained their indie footing. Thankfully, it’s a period that I can look back at fondly without cringing. #31DaysOf2000sSongs

When Hot Fuss first came out, it felt like a strange trip back to the 80’s. It didn’t simply borrow synth pop influences, it unabashedly took on the form of a new wave album. In doing so, it made the album irresistible to me. The songs rocked hard and took on giant slabs of synth jams without holding back. I have memories of riding shotgun in my friend’s car with Hot Fuss blasting out his speakers as we played air keys on his dashboard and did our very best Brandon Flowers when “Somebody Told Me” came on.

“Mr. Brightside” might be the track that everyone remembers and the one that has had the longer shelf life, due to the fact that it’s been covered by everyone, including indie bands and football marching bands alike. But “Somebody Told Me” rocked like it was on a mission to blow your mind. It’s hard to imagine songs that rocked harder with synthesizers as the main instrument. The lyrics were about a boy pining for a girl. But the hooks sounded like they came from outer space, like the soundtrack to an alien invasion. “Somebody Told Me” had this musical paradox built into it — one of worldly romance and otherworldly musicality.

“Breakin' my back just to know your name.”

"MR. BRIGHTSIDE" THE KILLERS (2004)

In 2004, new wave was resurrected and reninvented—and “Mr. Brightside” was the entrance song. Every song on Hot Fuss did something musically unusual. These songs simultaneously brought us back and ushered us forward. This is a space that The Killers owned for many albums. Recollections of hearing “Mr. Brightside” in my friend’s car are some of my favorite road tune memories. My friend swaying to the music as he drove full throttle up the Palisades Parkway. Me headbanging and playing air keys on his dusty dashboard.

“Jealousy, turning saints into the sea. Swimming through sick lullabies. Choking on your alibis. But it's just the price I pay. Destiny is calling me. Open up my eager eyes. 'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside.”