I first heard of The Killers back in 2002 from a good friend of mine named Wyatt. He kept telling me over and over that his friend Brandon Flowers (who I did get to meet at a Morrissey concert; very nice guy) from Las Vegas and his new band The Killers were going to be the next big thing. Then he told me they were working on an album for Island records with Alan Moulder (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) and it obviously made me curious. Then Wyatt got an offer to be one of their roadies on the pre-release tour including a stop at the Coachella festival and I haven't heard from him since. Oh well, if you read this Wyatt I hope you're doing well, and call me sometime.
Now, I'm not going to say this because I want to be a kiss ass to a friend of mine, but Wyatt was 100% right - The Killers are destined for greatness and next big thing status. This is probably the most impressive debut full length I've heard since The Ravonettes Chain Gang of Love last year, and the Franz Ferdinand album earlier this year.

Very comparable to other bands out there right now like Hot Hot Heat, The Sounds and Spoon, The Killers draw influences most obviously from artists such as Duran Duran, The Smiths, New Order, U2, and especially Head on the Door/Disintegration era Cure. What makes The Killers so much better than their contemporaries however is how the sound of this album just absolutely jumps from the speakers and instantly makes friends with your ears. They blend a perfect mix of funky post-punk rock (like Franz Ferdinand does so well) with excellent songwriting, synth work that never becomes pretentious or overwrought, and hooks so big they could fill Wembley Stadium and not break a sweat. Brandon Flowers vocals are so undeniably strong that they easily bring to mind someone like Bono or Robert Smith's kind of gift. "Mr. Brightside" has already brought these guys to the forefront overseas, and I have no doubt that "Somebody Told Me" will be a huge hit here, but I'll put all my chips down right now and say "All These Things That I've Done" will be the song that hits home with everyone that gives Hot Fuss a chance. With it's blend of great riffs, excellent singing, superb lyrics, and (so help me I'm not kidding) gospel choir belting out the line 'I've got soul but I'm not a solider' what more do need to want to rush right out and put your arms around these Killers? As Leonard Maltin is fond of saying the Killers are a Hot Ticket and Hot Fuss is definitely a Hot Hot Treat.