The Killers review in the star tribune

new rockers worth the wait

Before the Killers even hit the stage Tuesday night at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, the biggest new American rock band to emerge in the past year had two strikes against it — and not because it’s from Las Vegas and the lead singer wears too much eyeliner.
The Killers canceled two sold-out shows in Minneapolis clubs this spring — one because they got a better offer to play at the all-star Weenie Roast staged by Los Angeles’ influential modern-rock radio station KROQ.
Then the Killers kept the sold-out crowd of 5,500 in St. Paul waiting even longer on Tuesday night. The band didn’t take the stage until 10:15 p.m., 75 minutes later than planned. (Somebody told me the plane was late because of the weather.)
But it was worth the wait. The Killers slayed the faithful with the kind of energy, dynamism and excitement that is barely suggested on their debut CD, “Hot Fuss,” which has sold 2 million copies.
It was easy to see what the fuss was all about — singer Brandon Flowers. The 24-year-old was oddly and irresistibly charismatic. Wearing a tuxedo and a black V-neck sweater, he carried on like a metrosexual in full bloom, complete with two electric keyboards covered with giant rhinestones and a meticulously made-up face that suggested David Bowie in his “Hunky Dory” days. His full-throated voice suggested Bowie with more oomph, and he slyly snuck in nifty moves like a ballerina’s pirouette at the end of one number.
It’s probably not what the folks expected in Nephi, Utah, where Flowers grew up a devout Mormon and was a high school golf star who liked Elton John and the Smiths.
Musically, the Killers are a throwback. While they are often compared to ’80s synth-pop kings Duran Duran, in concert the quartet sounded more like a blend of Blur, Bowie, U2 and Depeche Mode.
While Flowers was an exciting performer, the Killers’ similar-sounding material quickly wore thin. In fact, their main set was a mere 45 minutes.
The band returned with Flowers wearing a plaid sport coat and plying the same old ’80s-flavored faux-Brit pop, peaking with the sing-along “All These Things That I’ve Done,” which rivaled the hits “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr. Brightside” as the night’s high points.
He never apologized to the faithful for the two postponements or the late start and the too-brief 55-minute show. All he said was that the guys just got back from Hawaii and “this is the first time we’ve all had a tan.” Maybe he should be as concerned with his manners as he is with his look.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune