Sawdust [Extra tracks]

A lot of people have said how this album is just as good as hot fuss and sams town, and to a large extent I wouldnt argue. The fact that this is simply a collection of oddities thrown together with the odd new song (which are all excellent by the way) just shows the strength in depth of these guys material. It simply goes to prove that this lot are undoubtedly the biggest thing in rock since the turn of the century, well thats my opinion anyway. But hey, you might disagree. I tell you what though, when the Arctic Monkeys and Razorlight etc hear this collection of "B-Sides" and "leftovers", they might, and should, be more than a little concerned.... Bring on the REAL new album next year is what I say!

Ah, The good old fashioned B-Sides album. The B-side itself is now an almost outdated concept. I can remember the days when you would have to take that 7" single and flip it over to hear another song. Then it became a bonus tracks on the 12". Then different tracks on the 7", 12", box set 10" with badge and poster.

Nowadays all these songs exist to be dripfed to the masses : on the singles, compilation albums, exclusive compilations, and the inevitable Deluxe Collectors Edition reissue in a decades time. There's almost too much stuff out there now. In the past, the b-sides album - "Hatful of Hollow", "Barbed Wire Kisses", "Sci Fi Lullabies" was an event of magnificent proportions : an opportunity to reset the material that never quite fit in a new context of its own. Or a cheap and easy cash-in, dependent upon your point of view.

The fact that some bands even bother with b-sides is worthy in itself. One day these bands won't be recording, won't exist, and all that will be left is what is left behind : recordings and memories. Every new song could be a brilliant thing that means something to somebody : "You Know I'm Right".

Albeit, anyone who thinks "Tony The Pony" by Morrissey, or "As You Said" by Joy Division were the pinnacle of their artistic achievement is a cloth eared goth. Still, if Led Zep and Pink Floyd had done b-sides, then they'd be rolling in box sets.

So, the B-sides album is a dying breed. Replaced by the iTunes play list and the Digital MP3 Blog. So, to their credit, The Killers - who seem to have become quietly huge - have decided to eschew the usual career pat with "Sawdust", an oddities compendium of b-sides, covers, unreleased stuff, and the odd new song. In some way to defeat the preconception that the b-side is a lesser song, "Sawdust" toploads itself with new single - the efficient Lou Reed duet of "Tranquilize" - and a cover of Joy Divisions "Shadowplay" that makes the original sound like it could've been a traumatised Westlife : the deeply oppressive desperation is superceded by a swooping chorus. (Some fan discussion has rubbished the original : so lets make one thing clear, You Can't Cover Joy Division And Make It Sound Better Than The Original)

Overall, what "Sawdust" does do is prove that The Killers don't write B-Sides : they just write songs. Let us not forget "How Soon Is Now?" started life as the b-side to "William, It Was Really Nothing". And whilst there is nothing on "Sawdust" that can match the majesty of The Smiths, what the album does have is a collection of songs that sound like a Killers album with the obvious singles stripped out. Almost every song here is as good as any Killers album track. And there's no obvious quality gap caused by frantic last minute studio noodling to make an extra track for a single here. Everything on here sounds as well-crafted and thoughtful as the rest of their output.

That said, The Killers do occasionally grate. Brandon Flowers histrionic vocals occasionally sound like someone whose always straining for the stars. With the lack of light and shade, it's a case of slight bombast overkill which causes a uniformity of song. There`s also a lack of stylistic difference. No drunken bar room brawl boogie or experimental dated techno excursions here excepting a bonus remix by Jacques Lecont. Just, as the song suggest, "Glamourous Indie Rock N Roll", which is probably the single highpoint of the set.

"Sawdust" is a worthy Killers album, that sounds like a new Killers album, even if it patently isn't. At a weighty 17 songs, it's fine value for money and a efficient bookend to the current era of the band. If you liked "Sam's Town", get this.

This eclectic collection of out-takes,unreleased material and various odds and sods gels together remarkably well.
Running out at 77 minutes, the album moves along like a flash Cadillac on a Las Vegas freeway. Big and bold with the ensemble throwing out some fine varations on old favourites.
The 8+ minute synth version of Mr Bright Eyes knocks the original into touch by virtue of it's epic scale and pulsating drive.
Killers fans will have no complaints with this one.
Sawdust might suggest something left on the floor after the original piece has been put together but throw it on the creative fire and it flares in its intensity !