The Killers

The Killers: Hot FussHot Fuss (2004)
Island Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: AubinAubin
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Published on June 25th 2004The 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..

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.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

drbino (January 22, 2009)

The most over-rated band in the charts. These guys are the definition of style over substance. Pretentious wanky bullshit is all they amount to. Get off my radio assholes.

RBD-biatchh (July 1, 2006)

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!!!

Anonymous (December 20, 2005)

I that the Killers rock and if anybody has a problem with that they can kiss my ass! I think that Brandon rules

BooFace (November 18, 2005)

ill give em' originality

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

the songs are great,it's a precious band ,I just want to say: cool
plz: when you don't know just what to say, just shut up...
; )

Anonymous (July 12, 2005)

They rock! Ronnie kicks ass! Oh yeah! lol
The only song I don't like really, is Everything Will Be Alright. It's just not my thing.

Anonymous (June 1, 2005)

They've outstayed they're welcome. Fucking overrated and forgetful.

Anonymous (April 21, 2005)

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!

Malaysian Girls > The Killers

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

i know that alot of people like the killers, alot of my friends do. but i hate the killers,i listened to their album
and i dont fuckin like them, my friend said you have to listen to the cd a few times before you like it, well i did
i still fuckin hate it. i cant see how anyone could like this band. you can clearly see that they copy the cures style of singing and their music. and ya know what i like the cure, they are awesome, but i hate copyers , and even know they have the cures style i still fuckin hate them.

Anonymous (March 15, 2005)

iu luv this album especially since i'm called natalie n track 9 is called believe me natalie:D

Anonymous (February 28, 2005)

one of the best records I bought in the last half year

Anonymous (December 14, 2004)

You are so amazing. Do you will get arrive from puerto rico? I think you are amazing

Anonymous (December 14, 2004)

You are so amazing. Do you will get arrive from puerto rico? I think you are amazing

Anonymous (November 25, 2004)

i love mr brightside very very very very much : )come to malaysia plzzzz...

Anonymous (November 12, 2004)

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

Anonymous (September 8, 2004)

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

Anonymous (August 11, 2004)

i went to high school with the drummer...
and for me that is the *ONLY* remarkable thing about this band. that guy is in the enviable position of being in a successful working band that is touring the world, but at the price of being in a band no one will remember in five years. hey vanucci! eason says enjoy the ride fucker!!

Anonymous (July 30, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (July 30, 2004)

Anonymous (June 29, 2004)

much like this cd, that intro was the sucks

Anonymous (June 29, 2004)

I prefer The Killer, the hc band

Anonymous (June 28, 2004)

Mr. Brightside = genius

Anonymous (June 28, 2004)

I like what I've heard. Definately gonna pick it up seeing as it's so cheap.

...evildeadalive

Anonymous (June 28, 2004)

These guys, along with the Rapture, Interpol, and Franz Ferdinand, have done nothing but perfect the art of songs about nothing.

-BSD

Anonymous (June 27, 2004)

A lot of people consider this garage-rock, but I think it's just dull hipster rock. Sculpted hair won't save you.

CallingLondon (June 27, 2004)

i just saw this video today. it was glorious.

Anonymous (June 27, 2004)

i must say... i like it.

chumprocker (June 26, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (June 26, 2004)

If The Killers ever met The Killer, the Killers would be killed.

This score is for mosquitoes.

Anonymous (June 25, 2004)

if your name is the Killers you'd better fucking rock...

skankin_in_the_pit (June 25, 2004)

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.

These guys aren't my cup of tea, but they aren't too bad live. This record blows though.

greg0rb (June 25, 2004)

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.
-Greg

Jesse (June 25, 2004)

McLuhan on Punknews. I think my paradigm just shifted without a clutch. I never thought I'd see the day...

thriceequalsgod (June 25, 2004)

scott, it took me at least 3 reads and 8 seconds to understand that comment.

Anonymous (June 25, 2004)

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."

maverick (June 25, 2004)

Tracks 1-5 = rather great.
Tracks 6-10 = rather not-so-great.
Track 11 = rather great.

6 outta 11 ain't bad. Worth buying, especially since it's uber-cheap everywhere right now.

-Scott