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Hot Fuss

The Killers

2004

Hot Fuss
Album Summary

Hot Fuss is the debut studio album by American rock band the Killers, released on June 7, 2004, in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004, in the United States by Island Records. The album is mostly influenced by new wave music and post-punk. Hot Fuss spawned four commercially and critically successful singles: "Mr. Brightside", "Somebody Told Me", "All These Things That I've Done" and "Smile Like You Mean It". The album reached number seven on the Billboard 200 and number one on the UK Albums Chart. As of December 2012, Hot Fuss had sold more than seven million copies worldwide, including more than three million in the United States and more than two million in the United Kingdom. It has also been certified platinum or multi-platinum in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. The album and its first three singles went on to garner five Grammy Award nominations.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.75

Votes

17940

Genres

  • Rock

Reviews

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Sep 09 2022
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4

Wouldn't call myself a killers fan but the first half of the album is full of hits. Reminds me of uni. Second half isn't as good All killer(s), half filler..... I'll see myself out

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Oct 06 2022
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5

This album was massive and inescapable when it was released, and it's a banger. I believe that as time goes on and the band is less oversaturated in the popular culture, appreciation for this album will grow. Best track: Mr. Brightside

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Feb 03 2023
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2

Today, in 2023, I am no longer a 12-year old American boy. No longer am I the pimpled king of "Roller Kingdom," scared to death to meet the eyes of my middle school crush in the adjoining Birthday Party Room. Nor do I wait for the 6:45am bus, scribbling frantic answers to a history worksheet– a poor writing surface, those bus seats!– that has small, pitying holes in it from my erasable pen. These facts put me at an extreme, almost disqualifying disadvantage to rate an album like this. A genuine handicap for an album whose influence is foundational to many of my 2000's peers, but in retrospect may only be a good time if you're deep in Angst Mode. I knew kids who picked up guitar because they listened to this CD! The patron saints of Lazer Zones everywhere. In seriousness. I like my Blur, I like my Arctic Monkeys, I like my Strokes. This is hard to get through. Grating. This shouldn't happen, because I know all the songs already. Halfway through, I'm thinking, "Maybe I'm having fun! Maybe I should sneak one of these songs in at my wedding." Alas. Not Enough Fun. A generous 3 might be possible. But I have dutifully deducted a point for the refrain, "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier," sung forty times behind a gospel choir. That line's been bouncing around in my head since the Roller Kingdom Days, and unfortunately, now illuminated by the scribes of Genius, it yields no special magic. 2/5

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Aug 30 2022
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5

How is this album better than their greatest hits one

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Jun 21 2022
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2

I find the Killers fatiguing. They fatigued me when I first listened to them when this came out in high school, and they still fatigue me 18 years later. They just zap my energy. I will say, Mr. Brightside is the one bright spot on the album. They really nailed a particular emotion, and it resonates. I was at a karaoke bar in Minneapolis this weekend, and someone sang that song - the whole bar sang along, which was really a blessing since the guy was tone deaf. But the song still resonated, and we could all feel the energy. I watched a Song Exploder episode on one of their songs recently - I like that show, but this episode was boring, it lacked content, and I blame The Killers. The song was not from this album, but it doesn't matter that much because all their stuff sounds kind of the same. It added to my dislike of them, hearing how they could barely articulate where the lyrics came from, or what the song was about. The most compelling moment was when they said the guitar riff sounds like "the desert" - they are from Las Vegas. But the song sounded more like Las Vegas itself - a grotesque manifestation of capitalism, an illusion of prosperity and vitality, a thin veil concealing a vast emptiness. That's how this album makes me feel, and not in a good way.

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Jul 09 2022
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5

Not ground-breaking, not deep lyrics, but simply banging tune after banging tune.

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Jul 04 2022
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5

The front of this album is phenomenal, hard to believe they had so many hits on their first release.

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Feb 03 2023
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5

I remember when I first heard “Mr. Brightside” in a middle school PE class where we had to select songs to choreograph a dance too. We played that song 500 times and it never got old. I remember the first time I heard “All These Things That I’ve Done” on the radio on KROQ in my Mom’s Ford Explorer and it stopped me dead in my tracks; I had to know who wrote this; probably the first time I ever felt that. I remember first hearing “Somebody Told Me,” also on the radio, and wondering how a boyfriend could look like a girlfriend. I remember when I finally bought the CD and discovered this band of 3 radio-friendly songs had numerous other hits on the very same debut album; namely, “Jenny,” “Smile,” “Andy,” and, my favorite, ”Change Your Mind.” I remember high school, and feeling ashamed for ever having liked these songs. I remember in college when it became cool to play these songs again, at parties and karaoke and such; later, weddings. I remember Phoebe Bridgers’ atmospheric rise and how she and her moment suddenly made Brandon Flowers “cool” and “significant” again. I remember at one time thinking this album was front-loaded with hits, but listening again, I can attest it is truly front-to-back loaded with hits. Last week, this album hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only because of the nostalgia I have wrapped up inside it. But truly because of how solid and emotional a record it is. How good the songwriting is. How good it all sounds. I have it on CD. The same CD I bought all those years ago—one of the first CDs I ever bought honestly—and still in great condition. The production and mix is awesome. This album and this band is as good as any that came to fruition in the mid-aughts. I’d take this in the same hand I’d take the Strokes debut. And honestly, a comparative study of those two albums might yield an interesting piece on music criticism, fashion trends, song-writing, rock populism, and stardom in the first decade of the century. They are perhaps the two most significant debuts of the era, after all. Sadly, where the troubled Julian Casablancas was heralded as some kind of genius and critical darling, Brandon Flowers was written off as a pop star. When critics turn their back on bands, bands tend to turn their back on critics. And when band’s turn their back on critics, they play for fans. I think you can see that happen to The Killers after this album. Where this album is specific, nuanced, and personal, latter efforts are broad and populist. Where Hot Fuss finds a group of Las Vegas natives stumbling upon songs that would speak to hundreds of millions all across the globe, subsequent efforts finds that same group working to write more songs like that. All I can say is it’s a shame. It’s a shame we didn’t foster and encourage the artistry of a band that gave us one of the best debuts of any era. I’m giving this a 5 for posterity’s sake if nothing else. But Hot Fuss is every bit deserving.

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Sep 28 2023
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2

I don’t know who decided this band was good, but it wasn’t me.

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Sep 07 2022
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1

Initial thoughts: some good moments shine through but overall the vocals are mediocre and the mixing is terrible. You can tell Mr. Brightside is what they put effort in because they knew it would be the radio hit, everything else is filler so far. Final thoughts: bad. Mixing and vocals stay horrible, lyrics are lame and sometimes misogynistic or slightly transphobic?? Best song: Mr Brightside Worst song: Everything else (specifically On Top, Midnight Show, Everything Will Be Alright)

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Aug 25 2022
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5

Absolute classic - entire album is sublime.

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Jul 24 2022
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5

Hot Fuss is one of the best alternative albums of the 2000's. An absolute classic. "Mr.Brightside" is one of the best songs ever made in the genre and it's popularity proves that. You'll discover something new you love about the album every time you listen. For me this listen, I really appreciated "On Top". 5/5. Favorite Songs: "Mr. Brightside", "Smile Like You Mean It", "All These Things That I've Done", "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine", "Change Your Mind", "On Top"

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Jul 28 2022
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5

Plenty of skill there, a great mix of electronic and rock. Kept being surprised at how many great songs kept coming

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Jul 21 2022
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5

What a strong debut album. With several hit singles, it's got a great combination of new wave and post punk influenced indie rock.

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Jul 14 2022
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5

I felt sure this would be a 5 based on personal history with this record; an actual listen left me feeling it was a 4 but I will maintain my rating based on nostalgia (which is probably wildly inconsistent with other scoring decisions). There were many THE ALBUMS during my college tenure, but this one might have been the most played of all of them. Wore this album out with friends, it was perfect background music for a party, a card game, or a quieter Sunday morning. The Vegas synth vibes are so unique and defining. Every song such a turn from the last, but still cohesive. My recollection was that this was a non-stop 12 tracks of greatness; my revisit made me realize I don't remember the last 3 tracks on it very well at all, and there is a fall off. Strange how memory is. Regardless, there is a 7 song tear here that's unparalleled.

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Jun 20 2022
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5

Cuando el primer disco de un grupo es así de bueno luego pueden pasar dos cosas, que se superen (creo que lo hicieron al menos con algunas canciones) o que nunca brillen tanto. Es un grupo que me sigue gustando, pero creo que el impacto general que me causó este disco no lo han repetido. Imprescindible del nuevo siglo. Empieza fuerte con 4 canciones como son "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine", "Mr. Brightside", "Smile Like You Mean It" y "Somebody Told Me". Tiene un parón y remonta con "On Top", "Change Your Mind" y "Believe Me Natalie" para llegar al final catártico de "Everything Will Be Alright". 5 estrellas *****

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Oct 03 2023
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2

Not one of the 1000 most valuable albums of all time in my opinion

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Dec 17 2024
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5

Sound of my childhood. Got weirdly emotional listening to it again.

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Jun 11 2024
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5

*inhales* SOMEBODY TOLD ME was no one going to tell me the other killers songs are actually good too? I should have listened to this sooner

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Oct 25 2023
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5

Oh I know this one, so many fave Killers songs. Jenny was a friend of mine is a banger opener, love that bass line. A couple songs I did not recognize.

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Jan 24 2023
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5

The perfect early 2000s alt-pop album. Hot Fuss is one I revisit a few times a year. The Killers is a solid band all around.

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Dec 30 2022
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5

great bass playing, full of classics, and before what i think is their best album. shame they didnt fire on as many cylinders afterwards.

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Dec 01 2022
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5

It’s hard to disentangle nostalgia from merit on this album, but I definitely enjoyed listening to it. The songs do a good job of feeling distinct but tied together

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Sep 29 2022
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5

Huge nostalgia bump for this one - was popular with the crowd I ran with when I first moved to Japan. "Mr Brightside" is a stonking karaoke tune, but there are a bunch of other tunes I regard fondly too, it turns out. Fave track - toss up between "Mr Brightside", "All These Things That I've Done", and "Somebody Told Me"... They really front loaded this one, eh.

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Sep 27 2022
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5

Ja lekker hoor, lekker vrolijk, goede beats en paar echte klassiekers. Misschien iets te poppy/fout, maar ach. 5*

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Sep 24 2022
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5

Wahnsinn. Teil meiner Jugend. 10/10 für mich!

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Sep 13 2022
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5

I really wasn't expecting to give this 5 stars but I don't see any other option. There was a little bit of a lull in after the first half or so, but that first half was pretty incredible.

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Sep 13 2022
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5

i'm not sure how it got in my head that this had soured for me, perhaps a slight overdose of mr. brightside and the fact that i maybe never spent as much time with the album as a whole as i thought, but wow does this still hold up start to finish (listened previously) 1 albums listened/heard previously

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Sep 13 2022
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5

In a full circle moment, as the album's penultimate track "Everything Will Be Alright" plays, that first curious memory and through today, the absolute satisfaction of an album being more than a single song plays into the rating. While nostalgia is an unreliable judge, here is an album where it gets it right without much if any argument.

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Aug 24 2022
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5

such an iconic album. can’t get better than mr bright side and somebody told me when you’re going 2000s. i loved this throwback 😂 also sweet disposition by the temper trap came on after the album ended and nothing can put me in a better mood. such a jam

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Aug 24 2022
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5

Fantastic album from start to finish, just straight up good music with a rollercoaster of sounds and feelings starting off just above mid-level, rising up to peak and then gradually coming back down with some fast bumps finally tailing off with a bit more subtlety and delicacy. Full of great hits and not a single bad song among them; this is an album that almost anyone can listen to in some sort of capacity and not really have anything negative to say about it other than a song or two has probably been overplayed when it came out but those were certainly deservedly overplayed.

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Feb 17 2025
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4

Very nostalgic and reminds me of my best friend

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Nov 07 2024
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4

Maybe I’m just looking for a (mister) bright side right now but this was a nice throwback to arena alt-rock, lots of songs I thoroughly enjoy. Really didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but in terms of surprises, this was a nice one.

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Oct 15 2024
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4

Did you know that in Super Metroid if you place bombs in sync to Mr Brightside you can propell yourself up and sequence break?

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Aug 12 2024
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4

The first half is seamless and truly remarkable. After that, you're just waiting for the album to end. Nevertheless, it's still a feat.

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Jun 14 2024
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4

Throwback, strange to listen through again. Mr bright side isn’t even the best song.

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Jun 15 2022
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4

Really liked this. Knew Mr. Brightside from many a club night obviously, but some of the others were surprisingly familiar too.

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Nov 07 2024
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3

Fine. I feel like I’m watching TV in the late ‘00s. Full disclosure: I’m pretty bummed and currently not in a music mood. Sorry, The Killers.

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Nov 07 2024
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3

Perhaps it’s just the dim aftermath of the events of yesterday that have left me with a disconnected inability to enjoy things, but the numbness I felt while listening to this gave me a pretty “meh” reaction to it. It’s fine.

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Jun 18 2024
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3

I was surprised how much I knew some of these songs having never intentionally listened to them. Almost a manufactured in a lab feel. The hits are full on ear worms. The vocals are often obfuscated to probably make up for something lacking or it seems to be just a producer obsessed with a new vocal effect. It's one of the more listenable versions of New Wave. Sonically it can feel a little repetitive at times. Andy, You're a Star had some cool bits. I hate the last track. Started as a high 4 for me but halfway through cracks formed.

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Jul 30 2023
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3

So these are the lads who did "I've got ham but I'm not a hamster"?

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Jul 06 2023
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3

Not super into it, but it wasn't bad either. The Killers are good at writing tunes that are catchy at first but don't have a lot of real substance. But there's nothing in their music I actively dislike, so I guess it's a solid "average" record for me.

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Apr 25 2025
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2

This album was incredibly front-loaded. The first 5 tracks are all great and some of the best that The Killers have ever put out, but it takes a sharp dive in quality afterwards for the rest of the album. The lack of consistency in quality is what drags the score down so much.

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Nov 27 2024
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2

Corporate indie for elliptical machines and hockey games. Super high-energy hype up music expertly assembling the most excitable elements of millennial guitar rock from alt rock, emo & pop-punk, post-rock and garage revival (epic reverby guitars, driving bass, synth hooks, marching drums) to create an explosive anthemic sound. They blow their wad on track two with Mr Brightside though and the rest can't reach that level. A compilation of the best of Killers, Bloc Party, Snow Patrol, Twilight Sad, post Is This It Strokes, mid-career Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, the Arcade Fire jock jams and all the other bands from this era that sound like this would be an awesome CD-length album representing the last gasps and final dying fling of guitar rock. But there's too much samey filler on this album and oh my god the 'soul not a soldier' and 'INDIE ROCK AND ROLL' bits made me throw my headphones into the bin. What about this makes it sound incredibly British?

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Oct 11 2024
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2

literally only tried for the first three songs, they're calling it the worst closer in history, tragic loss of life, etcetera, etcetera.

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May 22 2024
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2

Good pop-alt rock, but overall it does feel like it lacks something to make it special outside of the popular singles

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Apr 17 2024
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2

It's like Wonder bread.. flavorless, mushy, boring, soft and pale white.

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Nov 18 2023
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2

Never listened to this album end to end before, but felt like I had already such was and is the frequency with which they seem to get air time. Not really my bag. Over produced to hide a poor vocal performance, and the songwriting seems to become progressively more low-effort stadium rock towards the end. Stinks of trying to wrap up an album because you've already written the money-makers. Generous 2.

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Feb 10 2024
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1

U2 have a lot to answer for. Soulless arena rock for chartered accountants. Stopped after 4 songs and put on Spirit of Eden 😡.

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Jan 05 2024
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1

You can boil this record down to three or four things: Two hit singles A bunch of U2 impersonations A couple Beatles impersonations And the dumbest lyric your ever heard: “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier…” I don’t know about you, but when I think about people who have soul, soldiers are the first people that come to mind…you know how they’re always following and not questioning orders…very soulful. Also, bold choice to include a song with the refrain “It’s Indie Rock and Roll for me” on your MAJOR LABEL DEBUT. Maybe it’s making fun of indie purists like myself (which I doubt, this band is too dumb for that), but the lyrics are too vague and devoid of any real meaning to actually tell what the song is about. This is “indie rock” for people who couldn’t tell you if “Matador Records” was a record label or just another way of saying “Bullfighting Statistics”.

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May 06 2025
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5

The killers.are.a great band. Finally some good music

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May 06 2025
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5

Some absolute bangers. A great, solid album. Mr Brightside might as well be the UK’s national anthem.

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May 06 2025
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5

Oh wow- a doozy of an album. This one is incredible, and I don't know how or why, but these songs are so timeless and impossible for me to get sick of. "Smile Like You Mean It", "Somebody Told Me" "All These Things That I've Done" are all songs that could individually be good enough to prop up an album on this list, and yet for The Killers they are all here on the same record. "Mr. Brightside" is the true star of this one though, and one of the best anthemic stadium pop/rock tracks ever. I saw them at a festival around 2-3 years ago and they absolutely killed ;) and it was hit after hit after hit, with immense energy. Even if you don't feel like moving, some of their songs really make you move. I remember walking around after their set and just saying "wow" to myself. Great production throughout. The bass shines so much on this record. Great album cover too. Easy 5/5!

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May 05 2025
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5

Otroligt att detta är ett debut-album

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May 03 2025
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5

So many amazing songs on this list. Would be disrespectful to not give this album a 5.

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May 03 2025
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5

This album was the first in this list where I’ve genuinely enjoyed listening to the whole thing. No track was boring and every song made me engaged. The Killers are a phenomenal band and this is them at their best

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May 03 2025
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5

BANGER AFTER BANGER AFTER BANGER nothing else to say

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May 02 2025
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5

Great album with a couple of songs I recognize. Not typically the type of music I listen to every day.

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Apr 30 2025
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5

This still has one of my favourite intro songs of all times and it just sets the pace for the rest of the album. It’s a rare thing on an album that nearly every song is a banger. It was also enjoyed by so many different subsets of people (although that was also its downfall and made it unpopular too). I also like it as much 20 years later even though my taste in music has evolved. Some of the songs even transported me back to that time, containing memories and emotions.

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Apr 28 2025
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5

The most British band to ever come out of Las Vegas. The front half of this album is incredible stuff. Just hit after hit. The back half is pretty great too.

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Apr 26 2025
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5

Incredible album that sounds as good as the day it dropped. Everyone loves Mr. Brightside.

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Apr 22 2025
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5

A legit modern classic full of passionate, kick-arse, singalong rock songs. Three tracks were already on my playlist of favourites and I added two more after this spin. All These Things That I've Done is probably the standout, in my opinion. Let's do this, ladies and gentlemen... let's give it the 5 stars it deserves.

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Apr 21 2025
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5

I hadn't actually listened to this album in its entirety before, but I do know many of the individual tracks. I've always enjoyed The Killers - a blend of rock and punk that isn't too loud or obnoxious. Sitting down with it was a pleasure.

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Apr 19 2025
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5

Классный альбом, есть много очень крутых треков

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Apr 17 2025
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5

Great album, already have listened to some of the songs in this album, I love them all 🔥

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Apr 17 2025
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5

Awesome! First listened to in college. One of my favorites of the 2000s

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Apr 16 2025
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5

Favorite tracks: Jenny is a Friend of Mine Mr. Brightside On Top Everything Will Be Alright

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Apr 15 2025
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5

All These Things is my favorite song of all time.

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Apr 15 2025
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5

Am I supposed to act like this isn't one of the best albums of all time?

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Apr 15 2025
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5

I don't understand why The Killers are so big, but this album almost convinces me. Thoroughly enjoyable, and at least three of the songs will sometimes pop into my head out of nowhere--they're a part of my personal soundtrack now. I have to give it 5 stars.

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Apr 11 2025
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5

So good!! Can't believe how many hits in one album...

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Apr 08 2025
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5

Damn this is just back to back bangers all the way through. The second half is a little weaker but just fun music all around.

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Apr 04 2025
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5

It's probably the best album I bought in the early 2000. Love it

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Apr 04 2025
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5

Fan of this album for 8 years now. First half banger after banger. Second half has some underrated songs like On Top and Believe Me Natalie. Fun vocal performances and nice synths

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Apr 01 2025
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5

Bangers from start to finish. Seriously, no bad or even mid songs. Love it. Mixes every genre with every kind of vibe. Bass player needs a raise. First half is absolutely amazing. Last song is kinda funny concidering how big the band is now 😅. 'Jenny Was a Friend of Mine' was a new one but definetly noted. Lowkey wanna say perfect album.

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Mar 29 2025
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5

one of the most underrated post-punk revival albums from the 2000's era. It is an all-time classic!

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Mar 22 2025
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5

Hard not to be influenced by nostalgia here. It’s a high four but I’m rounding up because it contains the single greatest pop song of the 2000s.

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Mar 19 2025
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5

Instant classic, voice of a generation, etc etc

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