Move over conventional rock and roll, the retro eighties are back
as a big influence in music and, if it’s proof you’re after, you need look no further
than Hot Fuss. The Killers debut is chock-full of new-wave style licks mixed with
contemporary style and complexity. The music itself is perfect for the dance floor, a
rare thing in rock until recently, and the grooves are positively
addictive.
This avant-garde approach has sparked a small revolution in
rock, aided by artists such as Franz Ferdinand and The Libertines, with The Killers
paving the way with hits such as “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr.
Brightside.”
This is another example of an album that can be listened to
straight through with no need to skip any of the eleven songs. It’s so strong, in fact,
that it becomes difficult to choose a favourite track, although mine is definitely “Smile
Like You Mean It,” and everyone has a different opinion as to which is the more addictive
tune.
So, if you’ve been itching to overuse that old bottle of hairspray
or break out the hot pink hoops that have been gathering dust since late ’89, get ready
because this group is not only making groundbreaking music, but influencing the direction
of the pop-culture wave back to a time of shoulder pads and Flock of Seagulls-style
craziness!