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Product Description
Review
For many, the solo album means experimentation, indulging in music that fellow band members would very probably chuck their instruments at. But not for Brandon Flowers. When he and the other Killers decided to take a year off, the group’s flamboyant frontman had already started writing their fourth album proper and, instead of pushing it to the back of a drawer while he unleashed his inner jazzman or rapper (god forbid), he carried on writing, with only himself to please. Then he enlisted Stuart Price, who worked on The Killers’ last record, 2008’s Day & Age, to co-produce; invited their drummer Ronnie Vannucci to play on a couple of tracks; and finally, named the album, like the Springsteen-saluting Sam’s Town, after a place in the band’s native Las Vegas. (Disappointingly, the title isn’t a stunningly self-aware allusion to a strutting, preposterously plumed creature. Shame.)
So is this just a Killers CD to be filed closer to the start of the shelf? Well, opener Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, with its flag-waving, marching-band pomp, and first single Crossfire, which begs for a stadium and thousands of hands in the air, are the sort of rousing anthems that filled Sam’s Town and littered Day & Age. Magdalena and Was It Something I Said?, with their tinny synths and hook-heavy 80s pop sensibility, could almost have slid in on a slick of Hot Fuss lip-gloss. And then, like those ill-advised adventures into sax (what are you, Matt Bianco?), on Day & Age, there are songs which should have been muzzled, tied up and shackled to the recording studio walls: a sleep-inducing foray into gospel called On the Floor and the I’ve-been-listening-to-Transformer-on-loop Swallow It.
But although much of this sounds like fairly standard Killers fare, there’s nothing that can quite match Mr Brightside or Read My Mind. Some arrangements are unimaginative, and there’s a slight feeling of blandness about the whole. Without his bandmates to rein him in, Flowers has also got a little overexcited with his bible – this, along with the proliferation of gambling metaphors, results in serious imagery fatigue.
Flamingo will keep the fans from growing rabid while The Killers take a break, but if Flowers releases another solo album before reconvening with his colleagues, teeth might well be bared.
--Alix BuscovicFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Flamingo is the debut album from Killers main-man Brandon Flowers and includes the huge hit "Crossfire". The album itself continues the lead single's epic rock sound, the fact that the ten songs were composed while on the road touring the Killers' thrid record Day and Age meaning that this album is not a huge departure from the band's template. Flamingo features production work from Stuart Price (Day & Age), Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan) and Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Incubus, Pearl Jam), as well as backing vocals on two tracks by Jenny Lewis.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly one of the better albums of the year,
This review is from: Flamingo (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)
As a debut solo effort, I approached this with the normally-warranted level of trepidation and doubt. This time, it was not warranted - this is a terrific album, filled to the brim with catchy melodies, memorable lyrics and great musical variety."Flamingo" opens with Flowers' homage to his home city: "Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas" - a grower of a track that would sit easily on "Sam's Town" or "Day and Age" - and follows it magnificently with the beautiful second single "Only The Young", which is reminiscent of "Tidal Wave" (one of The Killers' more under-appreciated tracks). The rest of the album could have been forgiven if it had not been able to hold the momentum of these songs throughout its duration, but save for one or two slight miss-fires (for me: "Hard Enough" and "Was It Something I Said?" are the weakest tracks on the album), it manages to maintain the quality all the way through to the last track-- even the bonus tracks hold their own; the fantastic Pet-Shop-Boysesque "Jacksonville" is one of the album's highlights. Overall, "Flamingo" is a great surprise and is far more than just a filler before the next Killer. If you're a fan of the band, have no worries that you will also be a fan of their front-man. ETA: I'd like to add that the album also sounds just stunning live; Flowers's voice is better than it has ever been and is capable of reproducing all of these tracks note-perfect. If you can catch him on the road, I'd highly recommend it.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brandon Flowers keeps you rocking for hours.,
This review is from: Flamingo (Audio CD)
The first solo effort by The Killer's frontman Brandon Flowers shows just how much talent is packed within his slender frame. Born out of a surge of creativity while the rest of the band wanted a break, Flamingo is all Brandon and clearly revolves around the things that matter most to him, namely his family and his religion. Flamingo features quality producers Stuart Price, Daniel Lanois and Brendan O'Brien, guest vocals by Jenny Lewis, along with contributions from Dave Keuning and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. If you love beautiful music be sure to check this out and ignore the negative reviews (you will see why for yourself).Track by track: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - The opening track provides a fitting introduction to Flamingo and draws you into the world it revolves around, namely that of Las Vegas, Brandon Flowers' home town. Killer's fans will harken this to Sam's Town, the title track from their sophomore album. From the get go it is apparent how much Flowers' vocals have improved over the course of 7/8 years. His delivery is perfect and shifts fluidly from a slight country twang in the verses to soaring anthemic choruses. Only The Young - Recently confirmed this will be next single off Flamingo and it's apparent why. This track is a stand-out favourite of mine with a truly brilliant chorus that will easily get you singing along. This is also one track where Brandon shows off his vocal range, achieving some truly ball-clenchingly high falsettos. Dotted around is a cool electronic beat that fits in surprisingly well with the drums. Hard Enough - Another favourite of mine, Brandon wrote this as a love song for his wife and tells of the difficulties and tribulations their relationship has had to overcome. Featuring vocals from Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame, this song shows off some brilliant lyrics that will prove to be a fan favourite. Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts - This track has quickly become the highlight for the lucky few who have already seen Brandon live as it is probably the most danceable of all the tracks from Flamingo. The song revolves around a troubled relationship filled with jealousy, a continuation of Mr Brightside perhaps? Playing With Fire - This track has so far been played last at Brandon's live shows and simply screams anthem in the making of When You Were Young proportions. It builds slowly and tantalizingly to a breathtaking climax that leaves you gasping for more. Was It Something I Said? - This is probably the most playful of the tracks, and follows a man's despair over a girl named Valentina. Originally this song started off as another track, The Clock Was Tickin' (which is available as a bonus track on the deluxe edition), but eventually evolved into two separate songs. Magdalena - This is a cheesily catchy song that refuses to give up. Based around a pilgrimage taken from Nogales to Magdalena, you too will soon be caught up in the romanticism of the song. Crossfire - The lead single from Flamingo which has already done the rounds on radio etc and reached No. 8 In the UK charts. The video features Charlize Theron and is definitely worth watching. Chosen as the lead single by Brandon's eldest son Ammon, this could easily have been the lead single from the next Killers album. On The Floor - This gospel song seems quite an unusual fit with the other tracks, but it shows Brandon is no one-trick pony and can adapt very well to whatever genre. Swallow It - According to Brandon this song is in fact not about fellatio (though the lyrics may suggest otherwise "you could not swallow it, no baby you're not ready slow down", "You're a performer!"). Quirkily catchy you will love this song until you hear you mother singling along to it on the radio. I strongly urge you to also check out the deluxe edition which features four extra songs all of which easily deserve a place on the standard album.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flamingo by Brandon Flowers,
By
This review is from: Flamingo (Audio CD)
I absolutely love this album. If you like the Killers you'll love this. Brandon has a beautiful voice and the music is very varied which makes it more interesting. Would defo buy more of his stuff after this.
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