Search - Killers :: Sawdust

Awesome!

Melody N. Pilotte | San Francisco | 10/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"awesome album, awesome covers, awesome reworkings of b-sides. Where the White Boys Dance, Indie Rock and Roll, Romeo and Juliet, Tranquilize, Under the Gun are winners for me. Love it."

Diamonds in the rough

C. York | 01/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"B-Side compilation albums can be scary. You initial thought has to be "well if these songs were that good, they would have made it on the proper albums". That has always been my thought process anyway, so I usually pass on b-side albums. However, being a huge Killers fan, I had to at least give "Sawdust" a chance.



The origins of the songs on "Sawdust" are all over. You have "Hot Fuss" bonus tracks: Under the Gun, Show You How, Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll, Who Let You Go?, and The Ballad of Michael Valentine. You've got some covers: Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits), Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town (The Gambler himself Kenny Rogers) and Shawdowplay (Joy Division, heroes of the Killers). Then there is "Sam's Town" bonus tracks: All The Pretty Faces, Where the White Boys Dance, Move Away, and Daddy's Eyes. The Killers did add some new material: Tranquilize, Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf, and Sweet Talk. Last but not least you get alternate versions of Sam's Town(song) and Mr. Brightside.



Alot has been made of the motivation to release this album, considering that at the point of release The Killers had only 2 proper albums. I think this is actually a greater indicator of their work ethic than their greed. The Killers have said that they wanted their fans to have an easy way to acquire the bonus tracks of the first two albums without having to rebuy an album that a fan would have already owned. It could be a sales pitch, but I do appreciate it. I hate that bands almost punish the fans that buy the album first and then 6 months later they re-release the same album with 5 new songs on it.



With all of this being said, this album is really intending for fans of The Killers. If you are not a fan, I would not suggest you buy this album..... first. You should buy the other albums, became a fan, and then buy "Sawdust".

After listening to this album for almost 2 years now, I consider it a "proper" album. These songs are part of The Killers. If you consider yourself a fan then you should own this. I will caution you that this album will take several listens to really sink in. But if you give it a chance you will find some diamonds in the rough."