Day Age

Posted In: Killers

Adria Quintanilla says...

A track-by-track review of my favorite album of 2008.





Losing Touch: Here we have the Killers' grandest album-opener by far. No disrespect to "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" or "Sam's Town"; those tracks are great in their own ways. But "Losing Touch" has glimmer and funk to it which preview what is to come on the album. The song's lyrics are more than likely a response to critics who disowned the band after their sophomore album Sam's Town failed to satisfy them. Brandon Flowers tells them to "run and tell their friends I'm losing touch." After Flowers was accused of selling his soul "like a Roman vagabond," he "made [his] way back home" with this album.

Side note: While Sam's Town was poorly received by critics, I still say it's one of the best albums of the past 20 years.



Human: The first single from Day & Age is a dreamy dance-pop tune that never fails to make tears fall and my feet tap. The chorus' infamous line "Are we human or are we dancer?" is a paraphrase of Hunter S. Thompson and has stumped listeners and critics alike. My interpretation of the song this: Flowers sees people today as those who have lost all human emotion, said "so long to devotion," and has forsaken grace, virtue, good, soul, and romance. It is a heartbreaking sentiment put into beautiful words.



Spaceman: It only makes sense the second single would be a goofy Bowie-esque anthem about alien abduction. After such a thought-provoking song like "Human," what would be better than an extremely catchy rocker that doesn't have any deep, hidden meaning (or does it?). This simply is an account of being probed by aliens and then being convinced that "it's all in my mind."



Joy Ride: A funky, sexy (if the Killers can be called sexy) tale of late night drives in the desert, sleazy motels, rattlesnakes, and romance. Then we're told of a "glorious existence" in the distance: a promised realization of this "dream of the free world"?



A Dustland Fairytale: Sort of a continuation (or prequel) of Joy Ride, "A Dustland Fairytale" contains images of Brandon's childhood. He saw his father as "some kind of slick chrome American prince." We're given visions of a battle between Cinderella and the devil. She seems to be the only hope of saving the kingdom. Cinderella, the devil, and the kingdom probably symbolize something in Brandon's life, but to the listener the song is an account of a desert showdown between good and evil.



This Is Your Life: How odd that a song recalling a lonely stripper/call girl named Candy (formerly Jackie) on Track Street is back dropped with an African-style chant. Images are conjured up of a desolate west where "crooked wheels keep turning" and "the blood just barely dries" (almost reminds a person of the barren, hellish world created by Cormac McCarthy in No Country for Old Men). The chorus encourages Candy to "wait for something better," but she's reminded that she "[doesn't] know how to fly" to her dream-filled sky. Depending on one's perspective and interpretation, the song could be considered either a hopeful encouragement to Candy or a depressing reminder that she can't rise above her circumstances.



I Can't Stay: The lyrics are more than likely intentionally vague, but the subtle Caribbean beat and the chorus make the song seem like a celebration of coming out of some unknown darkness and into some indentified light.



Neon Tiger: Taken literally, this bombastic rocker urges an endangered species of tiger to run away from some unidentified evil that hunts it. I have not yet nailed down what I think the song means, though I do have one theory. The "neon tiger" in question may symbolize the dying planet, and the evil that hunts it could represent our human race that puts it in such danger. I've never heard of The Killers being strong environmental activists, but this song could be a subtle hint that we may be turning our earth into an endangered species. Just a theory.



The World That We Live In: The album takes us on a tour through the Midwest desert, the plains of Africa, the Caribbean shore, and outer space. This second-to-last track seems to be a recap of the trip, having "lessons learned" but still yearning for "something real." No matter what the world and life has come to, Flowers feels "sanctified and free."



Goodnight, Travel Well: The album closes with a monstrous, rumbling epic that seems to memorialize a family member that passed on. (EDIT: This is correct. It was written shortly after Dave's mother died). Flowers goes through a period of grief: "grieving frame," "my spirit moans with a sacred pain." He seems to reach peace: "It's quiet now, the universe is standing still." He recalls past memories: "Every word you spoke and everything you said, everything you left me rambles in my head." He goes back to the moment of the passing to plead for more time with them: "Stay! Don't leave me! The stars can't wait for your sign, don't signal now!" But through all this, "there's nothing [he] can say, nothing [he] can do now." Finally, he bids them one last farewell: "Goodnight...travel well." The song builds to this crushing climax, which soars with twinkling piano keys and crashing symbols, and then fades into black. Goodnight.

Posted on August 19, 2011

Estella Oen says...

Ok, hands down the Killers win with this one. I mean, the sound of this album is remarkable, the music is awe inspiring and the lyrics hit you in the face! I always relate to music and lyrics that make you think and inspire and the Killers do this so well with this one. "This is your life" gives waiting for the right thing new vigour and...My recommendation is to buy this CD or all of the MP3s. You will not be disapointed 'cause in the end all you have to do is listen, feel, smile and repeat!

Posted on August 20, 2011

Henrietta Schmerer says...

I was surprised to see that many other reviewers had the same experience as me. I bought this CD and eagerly played it on the way home from the store, and was severely disappointed. I felt that maybe one or two songs were catchy, but with no real substance. I put the CD away and didn't listen to it again for a few weeks.



One day, bored with my collection, I put Day and Age back in the player and listened again. This time, I liked the first 3, but couldn't get beyond that.



However, the more I listen, the more the later songs have grown on me. My favorites are now near the end of the album, though I still am not too fond of the final song.



Perhaps I just need more time with it. These songs are growers. Don't expect to be in love at first listen. Give it time.

Posted on August 20, 2011

Verona Baltzley says...

And a late 2008 release takes the lead!!



I NEVER expected to love this album as much as I do. There is little, if anything, that I can think of that is wrong with this album. To be honest, I liked them before, but not enough to go out and buy one of their albums. This one I bought on a whim because I sort of dug "Human"... oh man, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.



As far as Brandon's vocals/lyrics go, his range has impressed me with this outing to a level that few have before... from the Queen-esque "A Dustland Fairytale" to The Cure-level epic stylings featured in "The World We Live In", every track has its own signature catch to it that continues to draw me in during what is probably my 150th full listen to within the last week (seriously, this album has taken over fully).



To all of you non-believers in band redemption from one great album, to a wasteful b-side album, and a triumphant return back to greatness, in my opinion... this will be your greatest example if you're looking to believe again.



I LOVE THE KILLERS!! Woo... I mean, come on! Why can't I be as slick as these folks?!



Enjoy it, everyone!

Posted on August 21, 2011

Thea Behlen says...

Once again The Killers new album has it's own distinct sound different from their previous albums. I feel The Killers are one of the few bands that know how to keep their music really fresh without alienating fans of their past albums, you know it's not going to be more of the same.



Day & Age has a strong nostalgic sound influenced by '80s pop-rock among other genres that show through in each track, but at the same time the album sounds new and original. You can also hear a hint of their B-sides album Sawdust mixed in.



If it doesn't click with you right away give it a few listens through before passing judgment, if you are like me it will grow on you with every listen.



Buy now!

Posted on August 22, 2011

Patience Xue says...

I bought this album on a whim, without listening to it. It is my first introduction to The Killers, and I am very pleased with my purchase. Overall, I am extremely impressed with the song writing, arrangement and production value of the album. I love to listen to albums that have a flow to them that can be listened to all the way through. Day and Age accomplishes this nearly perfectly. Each song works well alongside the others.



After listening several times through, I find that the album has two halves. The first half is the single heavy side, and literally all of the songs from "Losing Touch" to "Dustland Fairytale" work extremely well on their own without the album as context. This is not to say that they are disjointed, rather they work great both in and out of context. In fact, I would have to say that, taken together, these five songs constitute one of the best 20 minute sections of music that I have heard in many many many years. Right up there with the greats.



The second half of the album is also quite good, but none of the songs really stand out as greats. They all work well and mesh very well with the album as a whole. However, while the mood and feel is very consistent the lyrics and lines are not as catchy on the second half as the first. Nevertheless, these are not filler songs. Each one is as complex and textured as any song on the first half. I imagine that as I continue to listen most of these songs will grow on me.



All in all an excellent album, with outstanding immediately accessible material, as well as a lot of material that will mature well with continued listens. Absolutely the best album I have heard in several years.

Posted on August 25, 2011

Usha Rigali says...

this is one of 2008' best records...if not THE best..

The killer keep improving and making better and better music...

BTW, is Human or Dancer(not denser, nor dancers... ;)

Posted on August 27, 2011

Claribel Kuemmerle says...

This is my first purchase of Killers' stuff.I typically brush against 80's alternative and attempts to resuscitate it.However, after previewing track after track, I was sold.



I can't think of another contemporary band who is able to do what these guys do so well.Each song is unique, the music is arresting, the lyrics are engaging, and the songs are flat out well done.



My album has been on repeat throughout the weekend.I'm officially down with the Killers.

Posted on August 27, 2011

Anisha Shew says...

The Killers have a special place in my heart. They excel at writing engaging lyrics, creating passionate musical riffs, and forming choruses that are sometimes so good they're magical: "Bling (Confessions of a King)" and "Read My Mind," from Sam's Town, or "Mr Brightside" or "Smile Like You Mean It" from Hot Fuss.



It's safe to say I had huge expectations from Day & Age. Most of the tracks met them, but a few were genuine disappointments.



I was ready to accept a new style and sound from the Killers in Day & Age, based on their transformation from Hot Fuss to Sam's Town, as well as their live performance of "Human," on Saturday Night Live in the fall of 2008. Based on Human, I was expecting an album with more synth-pop influence and maybe even an electronic vibe.



While there is a significant synth feel to some of the tracks, The Killers have thrown in dance beats, some reggae influence, and even a synthetic harpsichord (This Is Your Life) into the album. It is a mash-up of musical styles that at times feels too much like a collage of influences instead of a finished album, but on my third listen I think they actually did pretty well over all. If you want a seamless album that traverses from song to song effortlessly, Day and Age will disappoint you. If you want a strange, intelligent, and always entertaining collection of songs that defy classification to a specific genre, this is a great choice.



"Human," is my favorite track, a song which I initially wrote off as having silly lyrics, until I read this quote from Flowers: "It's taken from a quote by [author Hunter S.] Thompson. 'We're raising a generation of dancers,' and I took it and ran. I guess it bothers people that it's not grammatically correct, but I think I'm allowed to do whatever I want," he laughed. " 'Denser'? I hadn't heard that one. I don't like 'denser.' " (from the MTV webpage)



"Losing Touch," "Spaceman," and "This Is Your Life," are also fantastic.



That said, there are some major losers in this collection.



Specifically, "I Can't Stay," actually made me angry listening to it. Incorporating steel drum into a song that sounds like the worst of the Beach Boys mashed-up with 80s pop made me wonder if I had entered a nightmare where the Killers were transforming into in a bubble-gum pop band. They could have left this track off the album in my opinion.



Thankfully, after the awful "I can't stay," they launch into "Neon Tiger," which is a tight little track and sounds like the Killers I know and love. However, the reprieve is short lived.



The next track, "The World We Live In," is again reminiscent of 80s pop, with a beat that I would expect from an Annie Lennox single from the early nineties. Really solid lyrics get lost in the dreary beat and uninspired instrumentation.



A shorter album than Hot Fuss (14 tracks) and Sam's Town (12 tracks), Day & Age at a mere 10 tracks feels a lot less 'dense,' than either of their first two offerings. 10 tracks minus a couple duds leaves you with only about 7-8 songs worth listening to. If you include Sawdust with it's 18 tracks (some of which are remixes or duplicates) this is easily the lightest offering to date from the Killers. That might not be a big deal if the quality of each song was very high, but that isn't the case in my opinion.



I would give this album 3.5 stars, but chose to round it up, because some of the songs are so good. If you're a Killers fan, it's a must buy. If you're new to the Killers, get Hot Fuss instead, and follow that up with Sam's Town, then Day & Age, and then Sawdust.

Posted on August 28, 2011

Hailey Zelaya says...

Whenever I hear a new Killers song or cd I am disappointed.I am always hoping for the magic to be recreated from their first album Hot Fuss.I have finally come to the realization that Hot Fuss will not be duplicated.With that being said I decided to review Day and Age as though I had never heard of the Killers.



Turns out I really liked the album, it does have the classic Killers sound of a modern twist on 80's style music.The songs all seemed to rock the lyrics attempt to be deep which is not always a good thing on a pop song. I will say that the cd needs to be listened to several times before you truely appreciate it.



Best songs are Human and This is Your Life.Really listen to the lyrics as each song really does seem to tell a tale.

Posted on August 28, 2011