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| The KillersHot Fuss2004 Island 
  Review by: Aubin See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on June 25th 2004
The late media historian/critic Marshall McLuhan divided the entire spectrum of media into two approximate categories. The first was what he called “hot media” that is, things like books and newspapers were automatically in this category, while television and music would qualify as “cool media.” He explained that the caveat was that a person on TV could be hot or cool as well, and the public would respond better to “cool” people. Like, for example, he said that JFK was successful in making Nixon look foolish because he understood television and how to be “cool.” What does this have to do with the Killers, you ask? Well, the Killers personify this McLuhan-esque idea of “cool.” The band plays themselves as irreverently cool, down to the hipster clothing, the affected faux-British accent and carefully preened, but nonetheless messy haircuts. Were they any other band, and less capable as musicians and songwriters, I'd find them incredibly dull, pretentious and overly image conscious. But while they are pretentious and image conscious, they are certainly not dull; the truth is, these guys are capable of writing some incredibly catchy and energetic songs. Shamelessly taking cues from mainstream 80s icons like The Cure and Joy Division as well as 90s stalwarts like Blur and Pulp and simultaneously injecting a blast of recent garage rock, the band should sound like a bad Time Life retrospective. Instead, tracks like “Mr.Brightside“ come off so earnestly that you can't help but find yourself enjoying it. Unlike other eighties-influenced bands like the Rapture, Interpol and Franz Ferdinand, the band seems more concerned with writing songs than playing up their retro-influence for irony, and with a few minor exceptions, this attention to songwriting pervades the entire disc. I admit that the band loses some points for the down tempo tracks which lack energy, but more importantly, lack the hooks on the more rousing tracks. The truth is, the image, the attitude and the accent should annoy the living hell out of me, and in spite of the fact that I vaguely picture the band running around a pier with the sleeves of their sports coats rolled up, this band has a great blend of hooks, wit and rock and roll. It's difficult not to be caught in the fuss. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
the way i see it, they kinda helped bring about a newer type of music. its beat (well when it came out) was different than what everyone was acustomed to. and you know "Well somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looks like a girlfriend that I had in February of last year..." tripped you out!!! I that the Killers rock and if anybody has a problem with that they can kiss my ass! I think that Brandon rules ill give em' originality the songs are great,it's a precious band ,I just want to say: cool They rock! Ronnie kicks ass! Oh yeah! lol They've outstayed they're welcome. Fucking overrated and forgetful. The songs that I've heard of theirs are kinda catchy...but they seem like just another flavor of the month band that'll be forgotten as soon as this dance/punk/rock (Or what ever the fuck you want to call it) shit is considered passe. Plus they use that damned disco beat! i know that alot of people like the killers, alot of my friends do. but i hate the killers,i listened to their album iu luv this album especially since i'm called natalie n track 9 is called believe me natalie:D one of the best records I bought in the last half year You are so amazing. Do you will get arrive from puerto rico? I think you are amazing You are so amazing. Do you will get arrive from puerto rico? I think you are amazing i love mr brightside very very very very much : )come to malaysia plzzzz... I Love Hot Fuss and every song on it. This is the best CD EVER. My favorite song on the CD is Andy Your a Star. The Killers Are A*W*E*S*O*M*E WTF! this band along with franz interpol rapture etc. are exceptionaly excellent bands that define garage rock or a perferred other genre. its good music that has catchy tunes, good guitar sounds, and doesnt sound as corporate and manufactured as most music as you hear today. to say that killers are not good is just showing lack of musical intelligence....so i think i went to high school with the drummer... who cares about the way they come off. they're got killer jamming songs that you could listen for hours. out of the whole cd there are only 2 songs that i would sometimes skip. it's definitely worth your cash. it's the best cd i've bought in years. who cares about the way they come off. they're got killer jamming songs that you could listen for hours. out of the whole cd there are only 2 songs that i would sometimes skip. it's definitely worth your cash. who cares about the way they come off. they're got killer jamming songs that you could listen for hours. out of the whole cd there are only 2 songs that i would sometimes skip. it's definitely worth your cash. much like this cd, that intro was the sucks I prefer The Killer, the hc band I like what I've heard. Definately gonna pick it up seeing as it's so cheap. These guys, along with the Rapture, Interpol, and Franz Ferdinand, have done nothing but perfect the art of songs about nothing. A lot of people consider this garage-rock, but I think it's just dull hipster rock. Sculpted hair won't save you. i just saw this video today. it was glorious. saw the video for that single of their's and thought they were british... looked it up and found out they were from Vegas. Bands pretending to be from other countries is kind of stupid. If The Killers ever met The Killer, the Killers would be killed. if your name is the Killers you'd better fucking rock... This band could play in their own hometown, Las Vegas, and I know no more then 100 people would show up, yet they are creating all this buzz and are so huge abroad. Quite odd. I guess that just shows how little of a music scene there is here. It's sad. Scott, how could you not like track 7, On Top? That song ruuuuuules. I enjoy this disc thoroughly, it makes me shake my groove thang, shake my groove thang. McLuhan on Punknews. I think my paradigm just shifted without a clutch. I never thought I'd see the day... scott, it took me at least 3 reads and 8 seconds to understand that comment. I feel the same way...I'm slightly ashamed to like the Killers, because just about every aspect of their music and their image seems pretentious and contrived. But they're good at what they do, even if it's been done before. They're not life-changing, they're not revolutionary, and they are hyped to the extreme, but it's just good music with good lyrics and a good beat. Favorite song's probably "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine." Tracks 1-5 = rather great. |
