Brandon Flowers - 'Crossfire'
People in hit bands start work on solo material for a variety of different reasons: sometimes it's because they've got ideas for music which will not fit in with the basic thrust of their day job. Sometimes it's because they're not the lead singer, or the chief songwriter, and they've had all these ideas and need to get them out before they begin to feel bitterly hemmed-in by their bandmates. And sometimes it's because the people in the day job band can no longer stand to be in the same room, and need to take a break before they start trying to punch each other's facial extremities off.
Bearing in mind that 1) this doesn't sound unlike the Killers, and 2) it's by the lead singer of the Killers, and 3) he's their lead songwriter, and 4) being hemmed-in can't be the issue (see 1), would it be too much to wonder if Brandon's journey into the solo zone has something to do with that last, fightiest option?
Actually, stuff it. I'm just going to go ahead and assume it. We're never going to really KNOW, are we? They can SAY it's because this was supposed to be a new Killers album but they were all too tired to make it, but we don't KNOW they weren't tying each other's shoelaces together and putting clingfilm on the loo, do we?
Right then. Fisticuffs it is.
(. It's adventurous.)
Of course, the other reason to go solo is because it just feels free-er to do it yourself. Certainly 'Crossfire' contains a bit less of that uptight, calculating, self-conscious pop boffinry that made some of the Killers' more recent output feel less like fun and more like pop homework. This seems to be coming from a slightly more relaxed place, even though it has clearly still been made by a workaholic who can't switch off.
The clues are there for all to see. The way Brandon starts to paint a familiar picture - widescreen pop with a cavernous boom, basically - and then throws in something unexpected and charming: just as soon as that chest-beating macho chorus kicks off, for example, he slips sideways into a cute, wispy falsetto. One minute addressing a nameless "we" with fire and brimstone, as if he's preaching to a huge crowd, the next quietly imploring a special someone to lay their body down, in a sexy squeak.
Even the fact that it begins like a Killers Christmas song - often the loosest and most spontaneous-sounding of their musical output - is a sign. I'm not saying he couldn't have done this with the band, but maybe part of the slight loosening of the Flowers necktie has come from not HAVING to make it work as a Killers record: not having to ensure it keeps the band in business.
On the other hand, maybe he just caught up with his sleep and wanted to bash out a few pop songs for a laugh.
Download: August 30th
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
"He has finally found his voice which in return makes his songwriting more original and entertaining to listen to."
"It should come as no surprise that 'Crossfire' closely mimics the clean-cut stadia-rock of The Killers' recent output."
"There is also talk of devils and fire, and who doesn't like religious imagery in their songs these days?"
Comment number 1.
At 27th Aug 2010, spirit wrote:Brandon has revealed that the songs on Flamingo were due to be the Killers fourth album , but Dave , Mark and Ronnie wanted a break after being part of one of the world's most successful bands for several years .
Crossfire should delight many Killers fans , and also charm the casual listener .
It is "A" listed at Radio 1 and boasts a singalong chorus that will sound huge in the live arena .
Produced by Stuart Price who also produced Day and Age , it is a well crafted , heartfelt , charmer of a song , that builds nicely from it's subtlely tuneful verses to it's anthemic chorus .
This should fire into the Top Ten .
4 stars
The album "Flamingo" is released September 6th .
Tracklisting :
1) Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas.
2) Only The Young . (Likely to be the next single )
3)Hard Enough
4) Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts .
5) Playing With Fire .
6) Was it Something I said ?
7)Magdelena
8) Crossfire
9) On The Floor .
10)Swallow It .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 28th Aug 2010, The Pop Web wrote:I think the real strength in Crossfire lies in the fact that it's a little bit more understated than I can imagine the Killers would treat it. Some might think that all boils down to "Killers-lite" but I think it helps Brandon help set out his stall quite nicely.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 28th Aug 2010, OddOne wrote:I'd say it's quite underwhelming actually, more like a three star song, it's 'magic' runs dry quite quickly and I don't particularly feel there's any sense that this is The Killers' frontman here; like all the things that made The Killers so great and sort of... disappeared.
Three stars from me, still I wish Brandon all the best but if his second single is anything to go by, I can't see his career being half as successful as The Killers'... his second ssingle is 'Swallow It'.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 5th Oct 2010, dannyhaobam wrote:I dunno whether i am supposed to like this one, the music is awesome but the video is so cheesy. I am a big fan of the Killers and i have always admired Brendan in association with the band mostly because of his roots.I mean he is a Mormon with ultra orthodox views on music especially rock,he never was near a guitar until he moved to Las Vegas, Only when he saw Oasis performing live started his transfiguration from synthesizers(Blush Response)to guitars. More I really abhor front-men when they go solo, they always turn out to be Ego Trips.Well i admit there are good grounds too like a musical outlet, say Thom Yorke with Eraser,for the kinda songs that wont fit the band. But Brendan here seems to be a Step Down, anyway i wish him all the best.....
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)