The Killers - 'The World We Live In'
In the extensive research I've done for this amazing example of critical thought in action, I have discovered that the band are releasing different songs from 'Day & Age' as their third single, depending on which territory goes nutsiest over which song from the album.
Here's the band's drummer Ronnie Vannucci to explain things: "We're realizing that other countries are picking their own singles. So in America, the next single will be 'A Dustland Fairytale,' but in the UK, Europe and Australia, it's 'The World We Live In.' But Australia is also playing 'Losing Touch.' Spain is hip to 'I Can't Stay,' which isn't really a surprise."
This may explain why there's not much in the way of a video to be found on the internet (it's coming soon, by all accounts). What mystifies me is why the UK has chosen to pick this song as a single in the first place...
It's hard to escape the thought that this really should have taken off at some point. As a song, it is stately, regular, driving, it has a groove and a bit of a swagger...and yet it never really seems to go anywhere. I'm not someone who normally demands that a song contains tricky time-signatures or an extended mariachi breakdown, but it's kind of nice to not be able to predict how it is going to pan out from the first 30 seconds.
It's a problem the song shares with 'Greatest Day' by Take That, there's a sense of occasion, a feeling that something enormous and important is just about to happen, a raised expectation that any second now the band are going to launch towards a musical peak which so vividly captures the most exciting time of your life, that you could actually be guiding the song yourself, via a complicated musical telepathy you share with Brandon Flowers, or something.
Sadly - and I do mean sadly - this never actually materialises. The song begins, puffs itself up - accompanied by a sympathetic brass band and some 'tasty' lead guitar work - then it makes a tentative trot down the runway and then just keeps on running until it stops.
And while it's nice that the band have relaxed a bit and toned down their histrionic edge for a song or two, it's hard to escape the idea that they put more work into making this sound like an anthem than they did making it sound like a great song.
Maybe the mariachi breakdown would've been a good idea after all.
Download: Out now
CD Released: May 18th
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 14th May 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:I absolutely LOVE this album but this review is completely correct. The song is an average song off the album and really not a single.
Dustland Fairytale is probably the outstanding track on the album (after Human) and Im disappointed they arent releasing that here.
I saw them live a couple of months ago and I didnt really notice a massive reaction to this song. Infact, Im dont really remember them doing it! Whoops!
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Comment number 2.
At 14th May 2009, katieloum wrote:One of the worst possible tracks to pick as a single off the album. Ive heard I Can't Stay on the radio, but never this.
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Comment number 3.
At 14th May 2009, ten gear bat bike wrote:"some 'tasty' lead guitar work"
Never use this phrase again. "Unrepentant doo-wop harmonies" will still be allowed though!
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Comment number 4.
At 14th May 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Duly noted. It's kind of fitting for the band's Springsteen/Meat Loaf ambitions though, right?
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Comment number 5.
At 14th May 2009, lolscott wrote:Seriously... "A Dustland Fairytale" should be released here. Everyone should go watch the video of the band performing it on the David Letterman show - with an orchestral bit backing them.
Seriously. Beautiful. AND on Youtube :)
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Comment number 6.
At 14th May 2009, lolscott wrote:Oh, and ChartBlog Twitter anyone? *hint*
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Comment number 7.
At 14th May 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:You can find me at @csi_popmusic. Other ChartBlog writers are also available in Twitter form.
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Comment number 8.
At 15th May 2009, ten gear bat bike wrote:Fairy Nuff- depths to the turn of phrase I didn't expect!
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Comment number 9.
At 17th May 2009, Edson wrote:Here´s the video!
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