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Sam's Town (by The Killers, Alternative Rock)

common sense media says

Sophomore slump from 2005's "It" band.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the lyrical content is mostly harmless, except for the song "Uncle Jonny," which is about someone addicted to cocaine.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: "Bones" laments "Don't you want to feel my skin on your skin."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: "Uncle Jonny" talks about being addicted to cocaine; "Where the White Boys Dance" mentions having a drink.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Sam's Town

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why The Killers underwent a change. Was it necessary? How did it affect their music? You can also discuss how music from the '80s has influenced the band.

What's the story?

What's the story?
The Killers, the golden boys of the rapidly fading retro dance-band craze, sold an amazing 5 million copies of their debut album Hot Fuss. Naturally, everyone was curious to see what their next move would be -- and it turned out to be an image makeover. On SAM'S TOWN, the Killers were smart enough to refer to legends like Springsteen and U2 for inspiration in forging a new sound. But they're just not talented enough to pull it off.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The band has tried to grow up too fast and the result is an album filled with unruffled dusty stories grounded in their native Nevada desert; tales of heartbreak, wandering, weariness, and (in a tune about a cocaine-addicted relative), plain squalor. There are a few problems with this. First, the band is simply still too young to sing credibly about nostalgia or mortality. Second, the songs lack much of the edge and dynamics they once possessed (one exception: "This River Is Wild"). And finally, the new emphasis on Brandon Flowers' vocals reveals that he's limited primarily to two ranges: petulant whine and petulant yelp.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: October 3, 2006
Label: Island
Genre: Alternative Rock
This review was written by Kerwin So
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

strawbryblondy
teen, 17 years old
 
mrs. brightside
yes i did write mrs. brightside (not mr. brightside) because i love the songs on the album. particulary mr. brightside. i cant help it, its a catchy song with a good message (jealousy, if you didnt know). so as mrs. brightside id like to say its worth your while to agree...
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gsaysi
teen, 16 years old
 
very good but not as amazing as hot fuss.....
there are some very catchy songs on this album that you will love. hot fuss was a 5 star album with more "dancier" tracks. the songs on this album are more "rockier" tracks.
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greenhighway
adult
 
Not for Kids!
This is a cd not for kids. Its great if you are over 18. It has a general "party" message for people. The group does have good guitar hooks and whatnot, but I can't recommend it for kids of any age.
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HayleyHayl
teen, 15 years old
9
 
Perfect for all ages in my opinion, except for Uncle Jonny mostly 9 and up
I love this album, so very much!! I do not understand how someone could complain about Brandon Flowers' voice! Obviously he is fantastic live and recorded! He has a beautiful voice. This album is amazing, it shows how they have a variety of style. The transformation from Hot Fuss to Sam's Town is astounding! Two such wonderful albums, but different sound, I love them both! Along with Sawdust to come next, which was all their different styles put on one album, for it was a b-side album... and then Day And Age, alternative pop with great beats and tunes, like the percussion done by Ronnie Vannucci Jr. in Joyride was absolutely lovely! Brandon sings about his Uncle Jonny's cocaine addiction on Sam's town, but he sings about it in a postive way, to try to help his Uncle. He shows the different things that cocaine can do to you and at the end he begs his Uncle to deal ("tell us whats going on feels like everythings wrong, if the future is real Jonny you've got to deal") so i think it is atleast appropriate for nine year olds and up. i first bought this album around age nine, and i wasnt scarred by it, i have grown up listening to the classics and when i found the Killers, it was an amazing discovery... modern music, with such classic feel! I fell in love! now to say, I love everything written by Brandon Flowers and The Killers and think they are amazing, Flamingo, Brandon's solo album is fantastic too! I cannot believe you would give such awful reviews of Sam's Town. It is amazing, with lots of heart and feeling put into it, along with lessons, like when you were young... and just perfect songs like Bling (confessions of a king)
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whovian85
adult
 
Finally
I've been waiting for this album to be reviewed. I've only listened to snatches of the album on Itunes but it sounds good.
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droolingfan_not
adult
 
Second album...
I haven't had a chance to listen to this full CD yet but it looks to be tamer than their first album. When You were Young is definitely a great song; I've listened to that. Oddly enough, this seems to have rather more indecent cover art than the first album, but not the same problems with sex....
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pinklady80lately
teen, 17 years old
 
another amazing album by the killers!!!
this album is really amazing!!! coming from a small suburb i can relate to sam's town and when u were young, well any girl can relate to that :) i dont find any issues w/ this album. yes the song bones does have some sexual references, but its really about stuff that us as teen w/ our raging hormones deal w/! uncle johnny does talk about drugs, but its saying how drugs affect ppl in bad ways and how it affects the ppl around u. i seriously luv this album, its amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Eragonfan
teen, 17 years old
 
pretty good
An album with a couple good songs, the Killers in general are a good band. 4 stars not for 9 and under
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