Review: The Killers Get Better, Not Bigger, In Wonderful Wonderful
It had been almost exactly 5 years since The Killers' last album (not counting their Greatest Hits album, a release full of incredible tracks but also one that seemed a bit premature). There were some Brandon Flowers solo projects in there, some hints of new releases from the band, as well as several rumors of the group breaking up for good. It's been a roller coaster, in other words, but Wonderful Wonderful was in fact released as promised in late September.
The Killers are an interesting case study in the rise and fall of musical popularity: they exploded on to the scene with their 2004 album Hot Fuss, featuring huge hits like "Somebody Told Me" and "All These Things That I've Done", and of course, one of THE songs of the 2000s in "Mr. Brightside." Since their debut, however, the numbers in their domestic fanbase has noticably declined. This decline was no doubt buouyed by the long gaps between releases (often due to Flowers' solo ventures), but likely is a more direct result of the short life span of popular music in America, as well as the Killers' shift away from a predominantly punk rock genre. Interestingly enough, however, their fanbase abroad has maintainted its massive numbers; the band still regularly sells out Wembley Stadium, and "Mr. Brightside" has-- and this is true-- been in the UK Top 100 charts for 13 years now.
For my part, I became a full-blown Killers fan not with Hot Fuss, but rather with their 2nd album, Sam's Town. I was familiar with their two big hits from their initial release, but found them silly, albeit catchy. However, when tracks like "When You Were Young" and "Read My Mind" started to hit the airwaves, I really sat up and paid attention.
Anyways, all this to say, I considered Wonderful Wonderful an impactful release, because of my own fandom, but also because of The Killers' place in 21st-century music history. Yet, you would be forgiven for not hearing the news about the album, because, much like the music it features, its release was more subdued than announcements past.
A couple listens through of the CD have brought to mind old words of another favorite band of mine, Coldplay (who, like The Killers, are another example of a group whose name is likely to elicit a "Yeah....I don't really like their stuff any more. They haven't been good in forever" response). Prior to the release of their album, Viva La Vida, frontman Chris Martin's mantra was that the group "didn't want to get bigger...we wanted to get better." Of course, that may seem silly now, as the British band is in the middle of touring NFL stadiums and is easily one of the most recognizable groups in the World. Still, I think those words could apply to The Killers' latest venture.
Though the first single off of Wonderful Wonderful, "The Man", is a catchy ear-pleaser, the rest of the album is unlikely to feature any radio singles that will catch as much steam as many of its predecessors. However, a subpar album that does not make; indeed, Flowers and The Killers seem to have focused more on intentionally crafting an album that was a better musical experience through-and-through than it assembling a collection of hits.
Wonderful Wonderful opens with the title track, and it draws you in immediately. Captivating with its use of distortion, its minor key, and crescendoing finish, the opener is reminiscient of U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky". Next comes the aforementioned lead single, continuing the album's energy and occupying the role of chaser to "Wonderful Wonderful"s powerful shot.
The next track, however, is what genuinely sets the tone for the rest of the album. "Rut" is a softer, more experimental tone than what we're used to from The Killers, a description that would be consistent with most of the remaining tracks. Another theme introduced in "Rut" that manifests itself later and throughout Wonderful Wonderful is the openness about Flowers' wife's struggles with mental health, a topic the lead singer is remarkable vulnerable about, and also points to as completely changing his life.
I'l spare you a breakdown of all 10 songs, but other highlights include another U2-esque sound in "Life To Come", a heartachingly beautiful love song "Some Kind Of Love", and yet another Americana-focused ballad in "Tyson vs. Douglas." The only real clunker for me is, ironically, the song chosen for the band's 2nd single; "Run For Cover" sounds a bit too much like reaching for their olden days of dystopian star-crossed-lovers rock and its Trump-inspired lyrics more cheeky than poignant.
One final thought: I recently looked at this album's cumulative reviews on Metacritic, and was shocked to find it rated as the highest of The Killers' discography. I personally think this release doesn't match the force that Sam's Town or even Day And Age were, but perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. The Killers have never been critical darlings. But let the fact that the vast majority of reviews have praised, or at least praised with faint damnation, Wonderful Wonderful be your reference point-- The Killers' latest is some of their best in a very long time, and certainly their most creative ever.