Okay, Killers fans, you may have some difficulty getting your heads round this one. Firstly, an awful lot of facial hair has sprouted up in the Las Vegas band's world - including a truly nasty moustache on Brandon Flowers' top lip. And secondly, out has gone the old, smooth, synth-pop that made Hot Fuss such a great listen, and in comes an odd tribute to both Bruce Springsteen and, erm, Meat Loaf.
Yes, in a decision that's either very brave or a bit dumb, The Killers have decided to risk alienating half of their fans by going for a completely different sound this time round. Rather like Razorlight, they've decided on the motto - "it ain't broke, so let's try and fix it anyway". The song itself sounds huge and epic and the Springsteen references are written all over it - even the bridge sounds like it's been lovingly taken from Thunder Road - although it's hard to stifle a smile when Flowers declares that "we're burnin' down the highway skyline/on the back of a hurricane". Why not go the whole hog Brandon and talk about Mary, and how you're pulling out of this town to win?
It's radio-friendly and will no doubt do wonders in America, but in sacrificing their old sound they've undeniably lost something. This really could be any old rock band, and for a band as talented as The Killers, that's a real shame. Maybe it's best to withhold judgement until we've heard the whole of the upcoming Sam's Town album, but When You Were Young is a crushing disappointment.
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