New Music

Both the Killers and Band of Horses released new albums on Tuesday.

Spin says about the Killers:  

Starting with synth bleeps that give way to a galloping spaghetti Western extravaganza, opener "Flesh and Bone," like first single "Runaways," piles the white-knuckled histrionics high. Years spent touring and taking singing lessons have reached critical mass, and so Flowers wails notes way outside the range of the clipped 22-year-old who sneered through "Somebody Told Me," and he's describing his struggles via the equally operatic pop-culture shorthand that defines his writing style: He's a "raging bull" who is "penetrating the force fields" but "running out of time." Accordingly, the Springsteen-isms of Sam's Town have returned in a big way, but this time those thunderous power chords and Phil Spector-schooled drum rolls are complimented by synth balm far more soothing than the quartet's usual New Order riffs. In rebuffing their critics, these dreamers embrace the super-emotive '80s bands the critics of that era also loathed — Alphaville, Simple Minds, Ultravox, Tears for Fears, Cock Robin, Icehouse, even Mr. Mister — with results that are more heartland-friendly and more Euro-romantic than ever.

Regarding Band of Horses: 

The end result is an indie rock record that frequently tips its hat to classic Americana rock—and it sounds awesome. Band of Horses has always tinged their sound with a bit of roots music; this time, they dove into that sound with both feet, fully embracing the sonic elements that have helped define them. This record reminds me of America. I say that as a play on words: it reminds me of America the country, AND America the band. It’s roots rock for the twenty-teens, drawing from the 1970’s for inspiration. Some might suggest the band tried to “go retro” and copy the sounds of the past; I say it makes Band of Horses sound more authentic than they ever have before. I think this is who they are; I think they found themselves again on this record.