Hot Fuss

The Killers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 2004)
• 1 edition
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B0002858YS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (693 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,019 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave & Post-Punk > New Wave
  • #32 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > General
  • #59 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Indie Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Killers match postpunk guitars with a synthesizer overlay that recalls '80s New Wave without burying their sound in nostalgia. On their debut, Hot Fuss, frontman Brandon Flowers plumbs his imagination for tales of murdered lovers ("Jenny Was a Friend of Mine," "Midnight Show"), voyeurism ("Mr. Brightside"), and sexual confusion (the single "Somebody Told Me"), Flowers and his mates are obviously canny students; the total effect is of a playacted obsession, but one made irresistible by their skillful, catchy songs. If there's an occasional misstep (the painfully earnest line "I got soul but I'm not a soldier" from "All These Things That I've Done"), it seems of a piece with the Killers' influences. As it is, Hot Fuss is one of several recent releases that bring a diverting faux glamour to the mainstream rock scene. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Hot Fuss features eleven nuggets of reel-you-in storytelling genius and musical nectar. These eleven tracks span from the "very Vegas – like Ziggy came to town" first proper single release "Somebody Told Me";"Mr Brightside" - a tale of jealousy that depicts that moment in a relationship when you realize that your other half might be playing away and this thought takes up residence in your psyche feeding the worst fears and visualisations your imagination can then throw at you. You’ll find two-thirds of a murder trilogy in "Midnight Show", which starts off harking back to "Lipgloss" before veering into far darker territory than old Jarvis would ever have flirted with, in Pulp days at least, and "Jenny". These two are connected by the story of a murder of a girl by her jealous boyfriend. The first part of the trilogy, "Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf", will, you can be sure, make an appearance at some point in the future. It’s a deliciously ambitious series that! belies the band’s tender years. Elsewhere, meanwhile: "On Top" celebrates where Brandon feels the band is at, while stalker’s tale "Andy You’re A Star" and "All These Things That I’ve Done," saw Flowers realise his dream of using a gospel choir in their recordings.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

410 of 442 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Hello Mr. Brightside, We've Been Waiting For You. December 11, 2004

By Jason Stein VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

There are several thoughts that run through my mind regarding the debut album from The Killers. One thing is that it's about time the punk/new wave movement from the late 70's/early 80's got recycled. I'm sure there are others around my age (32) that miss this type of music since we experienced it first hand. The influences are apparent on "Hot Fuss"--The Cars, The Cure, The Smiths, The Church, The Cult, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, New Order, Bauhaus, Oasis, Blur, etc. But this is a good thing, because I'm tired of streamlined rap/hip-hop, grunge rock wannabes, and over-slick production on most top 40 songs in the past eight years. Maybe teenagers will now understand the value of depressive, melancholy and angry music like it was meant to be heard. I don't mind the derivativeness of The Killers if it means that a new generation will be turned on to this genre of music.

As for the music, well it's exactly what I hoped for after hearing "Somebody Told Me". Despite other reviews, I think this is an energetic and inspiring entry into this genre of music. 11 tracks clocking in at 45 minutes is just perfect, and all the songs fit together nicely with not one track being conspicuously weaker than the others.

If you find yourself interested in The Killers, go back and listen to the original new wave artists I mentioned above. You can also look into the second generation such as Coldplay, White Stripes, Keane, Snow Patrol, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, The Music, The Postal Service, Jet, The Strokes, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, Kaiser Chiefs, Louis XIV, The Futureheads, Bloc Party, Caesars and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

If you're looking for something new, you could do worse in 2004/2005, than buying The Killers' debut album "Hot Fuss". Check it out.

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Intended for those on the fence September 4, 2005

By Paul Allaer TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

One year after the Killers' debut album "Hot Fuss" was released, it is now re-released as a "limited edition", with 3 additional tracks that have been available on various singles.

"Hot Fuss Limited Edition" (14 tracks, 56 min.) brings the original 11 tracks first. By now, the first half of the album sounds like a "greatest hits" album, that's how familiar tunes like "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine", "Mr. Brightside", "Smile Like You Mean It" and "Somebody Told Me" now are. But the rest of the album is quite good as well, with tracks like "Andy You're a Star", "Change Your Mind" and "Everything Will Be Alright". The bonus tracks are quite good as well, in particular "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll" (although the Killers by now are hardly indie). "The Ballad of Michael Valentine" is so-so, but "Under the Gun" is grade A quality and would have fitted nicely onto the album proper.

This re-release is intended to tempt those on the fence that for whatever reason hadn't bought the album yet. Like me. (My 15 yr. daughter had bought it, so I was familiar with the album.) I'm glad that I bought this. If on the other hand you're REALLY into the Killers, your probably have those additional tracks already.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing addition June 7, 2005

By azizi

Format:Audio CD

The Killers - Hot Fuss is a great album. All the reviews for the American edition obviously stand, but if you're a die hard fan, then this is a great addition. The three extra songs were taken off of singles and demos. I just grabbed the Japanese version so I could have them all in one place. Its more of the great stuff on the album you've heard here in the states. Go to the concerts and to a local record store and see if you can cop some of the singles for free. That's how I heard them originally. Otherwise, buy this album if you're lucky enough. The three new songs are:

Glamorous Indie Rock 'n' Roll - Probably the weakest of the three lyrically. The hook is a bit annoying if you ask me. Its like a metaphor for falling in love with a girl because of Indie Rock. Musically though, its a great song. Great melody and the guitar accompaniment we've come to expect.

The Ballad of Michael Valentine - This is a great song. Tells a great story. Like Indie Rock 'n' Roll, its more of a rehash of the same great musical stylings of the Killers.

Under The Gun - This was my favorite. Its a bit more original as far as the musical aspect compared to the first two. The first two seem almost like a rehash of the style (still great, but we've all come to expect a lot out of the Killers), whereas you can tell the difference in tempo and stylings in this song. Still The Killers sound, don't get me wrong, but a great song at the end of the day.

So as you can see, its really just 3 songs that die-hards should get. Otherwise, get Hot Fuss right now as this may never even get to your mailbox.

Enjoy!