Whispering Rogue

I’ve been a huge Killers fan since the tender age of 14. I remember them coming out to play in Sydney on my 15th birthday and not being able to go because I was “too young”. So obviously Brandon Flowers is my dream man and I’ve been super excited for this release for a long time. I may or may not be slightly biased but let me tell you, this album does not disappoint.

Flamingo is the solo debut for Vegas native Brandon Flowers. It was not far from being a new Killers album and you can tell. It is very similar to their latest release Day and Age (both albums sporting the same producer) except is highly influenced by Brandon’s Mormon beliefs. The lyrics are a lot preachier than the Killers stuff. On The Floor is a prime example of this. It is a beautifully haunting gospel song complete with choir. With lyrics like “On the floor, facing the things I’ve done here”. It is perfect for any church attending square. But the rest of the album is so much more than that.

Flowers is a confessed Anglophile who lists some of his influences as New Order, The Cure, Oasis and Depeche Mode and you can tell, especially with his use of tinny synths and hook-heavy 80’s inspired rock. This is also prominent in most of the Killers releases except for Sam’s Town which has more of a rocky vibe.

You would never label Flowers as a country singer but he does it very well especially in the song The Clock Was Tickin’. One assumes this is a song about his mother who died earlier this year. The song, although upbeat in tempo has very dark and depressing lyrics which Flowers has a habit of doing, but he does it very subtly and the songs still seem very cheery.

Ignoring the ridiculous preachy lyrics, the music is aurally pleasing featuring goose bump inspiring climaxes, impeccable backing vocals and countless amounts of instruments which supply the listener with a lot of variety. Flowers’ voice has not changed since Hot Fuss, he is still as versatile and some (mainly myself) would say as perfect as ever.

Definitely recommended for hardcore Killers fans and lovers of upbeat Mormon inspired gospel songs, but why don’t you make up your own mind?

Review by Sarah Keast