Itís always hard to review a record youíve lived with for months. Itís difficult to remember what life was like before you had it. Such is the case with The Killersí debut, Hot Fuss. I managed to catch the Las Vegas quartet play live seven or eight times while in London last year, got to spend a day in the studio with them while their album was being mixed by Alan Moulder, and have been immersing myself in Hot Fuss since March. Itís a wonderful record, one that mixes all the standard comparisons (Duran Duran, The Smiths, U2) but adds its own flavor as to not appear stale or rehashed. Everyone is familiar with the floor-filling ass-shakers that are ìSomebody Told Meî and the heart achingly brilliant ìMr. Brightside,î but there are inherent surprises in store for hardcore fans and new converts alike. The funkasauraus rex bass of ìJenny Was A Friend Of Mine,î the punch of ìSmile Like You Mean It,î the raunch of ìMidnight Show,î and the gospel choral backing of ìAll These Things That Iíve Done,î all show the myriad different sides of this talented quartet. They may be the Duran Duran of 2004, but their Vegas edge, their live swagger, and their songwriting skills all combine to make them worthy of that connotation.

The Killers
Island

1. Live – The Killers Do Just That To Packed House At popscene In SF
2. Contest: Win The Killers’ Somebody Told Me EP and Hot Fuss CD
3. Duran Duran Comeback Complete With Album In October
4. Live – The Killers In London: Mission Accomplished
5. The Killers Plan To Go On The Lam After Slaying Audiences