I know, I'm behind the times, but I wanted to take a moment to review "Hot Fuss" from The Killers.
Alright, I know that this doesn't sound like a compliment, but it really is: If this album had come out in 1983, it would be listed in every critic's Top 10 Albums of the 1980's. In case you haven't noticed, there's something of an 80's revival going on, with bands like Interpol, All-American Rejects, even Modest Mouse, borrowing notes and styles from the best of the 80's. That's cool for me, having grown up in the 80's. It's neat to see as well because, despite popular opinion, some great music was made in the early and mid-80's.
But whereas most of the bands mentioned above are reliving the 80's alternative music scene with a knowing wink and a nod, Hot Fuss has all the sound of a band that deeply means the music they're playing. And that lack of irony is refreshing.
The other thing that's wonderful about this album is that it sounds like the annals of crime for a week in Las Vegas, which, coincidentally is where The Killers are from. You have songs of love, passion, and murder. This is dark music, dark in the same sense as Joy Division, or the movie Scarface. But the darkness doesn't detract from the album, it actually makes it more listenable. In fact, this has my vote as one of the best albums of this year.
I'll tag it with 4.5 out of 5 stars. Go, run to the store, and grab it now. You won't be disappointed.
