(Single from album, "Battle Born")
Well, it was only yesterday that I slated will.i.am’s recent chart efforts and I was going to leave it a while before my next review – but – a combination of some correspondence from a reader wanting to hear about more new tracks and something very special happening had me whipping up yet another review.
Yesterday, after posting the second entry on my new blog, I read on Facebook that The Killers were finally releasing a new song. I rushed to iTunes, pre-ordered the song, and then rushed back to YouTube to hear it – yes, I paid before I even knew what it sounded like – but then again, with this band, you can…
That opening, rousing synthesiser was the first thing to excite me as the first non-festive, original Killers studio material reached my ears, giving me that unique and ecstatic experience, for the first time since 2007…
This is by no means their best song. However, the piano, the keyboards, the guitars – everything is in sync, and all of Brandon Flower’s influences (Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, The Smiths) shine through, either through the lyrics or through the sound; you end up hearing bits of all of them.
Unlike most of the tracks from all three of these influences, the song has a real American rock anthem feel to it, which combined with flashy British synth-pop sounds, is magical. The classic love song theme of running away to be with someone is wonderfully presented here and the crashing electric guitars, whiney and blaring so as to be indistinguishable from the keyboards, really emphasise the adrenaline-fuelled emotions of the narrator. The guitars are perfect and the dotty synths are a perfect accompaniment to the rush of words and feelings pouring out of this musical well. This is a proper pop-song and The Killers, as always, seem to know what they’re doing.
This song is the lead single from their ‘difficult’ fourth album, “Battle Born’, on general release this autumn. For me, if I had been in this band, every recording made since the phenomenal 2001 debut, “Hot Fuss”, would have evoked difficulty, simply in living up to the unquestionable genius and perfection of every single song from that first album. From the “Barbarism Begins At Home” inspired bass-line of the mysterious and dark “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine”, to the gothic and funeral procession like finale of “Everything Will Be Alright”, “Hot Fuss” never fails to disappoint, and though follow up albums “Sam’s Town” and “Day & Age” do very well in giving the listener some stunning production values and brilliant song writing, neither are perfect from start to finish as their first, and seminal, release.
Still, “Runaways” has a lot to offer in terms of an insight into the new album, which, I personally, am very excited about. In this digital age where downloads are instant and save us tons of space, there are still a few bands I reserve shelf shape for and, alongside the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Green Day and Depeche Mode, The Killers will have me waking up early on September 17th, catching the bus to my nearest HMV, and paying top dollar just to be first in hearing what my all time favourite band have been up to…
Something very uplifting about The Killers keeps me listening, and I think its great that a band can write great lyrics, great music, and still give a really positive message across. That’s a real talent, and though I love my Smiths and Billy Bragg, with those figures there’s just something not quite happy enough going on to have me completely hooked day in, day out.
“Runaways” is a very good song, and it’s great to hear from The Killers again, especially since I just got one of their t-shirts and was beginning to feel a little silly about wearing it! Hopefully, as with most lead singles, the glimpse of amazing Killers sound on this record will be replicated and reworked to supreme brilliance on the album later this year. But (and it’s a big one), listen to this track, and then go and hear “Mr. Brightside” again (for probably the 100th time). “Runaways” will make you smile, but I guarantee, that famous second song from “Hot Fuss” will make you cry.
★★★★
Versions of “Runaways”
Album/Single Version – 4:07