Sam's Town
by The Killers
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Oct 3, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 334 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 269 out of 334
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 334
  3. Negative: 30 out of 334

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  1. MIchaelF
    Oct 15, 2006
    9
    Excellent follow up. Anyone who compares this to Hot Fuss needs to actually listen to both albumes. Definite maturation in the lyrics, much more even in tone and sound than the first album. Don't know about aiming too high, but they have acheived a great follow up.
  2. mikes.
    Oct 14, 2006
    5
    There first album absolutely Sucked with a capital "S." But there single was sort of a guilty pleasure much like Panic at the Disco has a guilty pleasure single. Suprisingly they actually improved their production and songwriting with their new release Sam's Town. Not a good band to begin with, but at least they sound inspired and that they are trying hard to make a good album. There first album absolutely Sucked with a capital "S." But there single was sort of a guilty pleasure much like Panic at the Disco has a guilty pleasure single. Suprisingly they actually improved their production and songwriting with their new release Sam's Town. Not a good band to begin with, but at least they sound inspired and that they are trying hard to make a good album. They've matured, in a good way, but they are no longer so bad they're good (so u can laugh at how bad they are). They're now an average sounding band. Not boring, not entertaining either, but an improvement over their previous efforts nonetheless.… Expand
  3. Sonny
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    This album is great. It's more complete than the 1st, and I love the arena rock sound. Unfortunately it's become fashionable for the critics to bash a band's album that follows one that was raved about by critics. Remember when Rolling Stone voted QOTSA's "R" one the best abums of 2000 then said "Songs for the Deaf" was crap. all i know is this album will be This album is great. It's more complete than the 1st, and I love the arena rock sound. Unfortunately it's become fashionable for the critics to bash a band's album that follows one that was raved about by critics. Remember when Rolling Stone voted QOTSA's "R" one the best abums of 2000 then said "Songs for the Deaf" was crap. all i know is this album will be appreciated by The Killers fans, and in future years (i.e Pearl Jam "Vs.")… Expand
  4. Cat
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    I love the new sound. Just an all together feel good album.
  5. erics
    Oct 12, 2006
    5
    Does not even compare to Hot Fuss... WAY too much hype. Too much filler; this cd could have been cut down to maybe 2-3 tracks and the rest sounds bland and pointless. The Killers have let me down.
  6. matta
    Oct 12, 2006
    5
    Pretty embarrassing. Hot Fuss was a good record (good not great) that just got overplayed. When I heard the bad press for this record, I wasn't willing to just jump on the bandwagon of Killers-haters. Then I saw the When You Were Young video and it was a solid single, and I thought that this record might actually be good. I was wrong. Aforementioned single is the only really good Pretty embarrassing. Hot Fuss was a good record (good not great) that just got overplayed. When I heard the bad press for this record, I wasn't willing to just jump on the bandwagon of Killers-haters. Then I saw the When You Were Young video and it was a solid single, and I thought that this record might actually be good. I was wrong. Aforementioned single is the only really good track with a few other okay ones, but the lyrics are all-around awful (not that they were amazing on Hot Fuss, but still, this is just so much worse). Really, this metacscore is pretty fair, and maybe even a little generous.… Expand
  7. JamesT
    Oct 12, 2006
    10
    Are these guys aiming too high? Certainly. But some of the best rock albums of all time have come from musicians aiming too high. I think that this is one of them.
  8. Vaderis
    Oct 11, 2006
    9
    I was surprised to see the mixed reviews for this album. I think the melodic vox keyboard and the metamorphasis of Flowers' vocalizations from Hot Fuss were nothing short of breath-taking.
  9. AJLooman
    Oct 11, 2006
    10
    Idont know what the critics are griping about. im absoulutly stunned that this album is getting mixed reviews. The songs are great. thier song writing, melodies and overall sound is so advanced over rock bands out today. whos better fall out boy? panic at the disco? these bands cant touch the killers intensity.Its an album that gets better with every listen and anyone bashing it has Idont know what the critics are griping about. im absoulutly stunned that this album is getting mixed reviews. The songs are great. thier song writing, melodies and overall sound is so advanced over rock bands out today. whos better fall out boy? panic at the disco? these bands cant touch the killers intensity.Its an album that gets better with every listen and anyone bashing it has probably not givin it at least one full spin. Bones is my favorite song, and i wish it and all the other songs on the album would get the credit they deserve… Expand
  10. K.C.S
    Oct 11, 2006
    9
    Fantastic. I've had the same impressions as the rest who like the album. Of course critics don't like it, its listenable. I also agree that "Bones" is not the strongest song on the album and should not be the next single. But, am I the only one who thinks that "Why Do I Keep Counting?" is the catchiest, most radio friendly track on the disc? The first thing that came to mind Fantastic. I've had the same impressions as the rest who like the album. Of course critics don't like it, its listenable. I also agree that "Bones" is not the strongest song on the album and should not be the next single. But, am I the only one who thinks that "Why Do I Keep Counting?" is the catchiest, most radio friendly track on the disc? The first thing that came to mind when hearing the album was Springsteen. Nothing wrong with that.… Expand
  11. JohnN
    Oct 10, 2006
    7
    This is an ok effort You have Bling which is excelent easily the standout track and Sam's Town, when we were young, the River is Wild which are all top tracks also. However Bones which most seem to like is awful but why do I keep counting is one of the worst songs I have ever heard it flat out sucks. The rest of the tracks are samesy and do not stand out.
  12. Bryan
    Oct 10, 2006
    6
    Took me 4 spins to accept what it was, but once I got over that it wasn't a Hot Fuss clone, I learned to deal with the new style. A couple good singles, the "Sams Town" theme is stupid and obnoxious, definitly a couple of lyrical problems in some songs (Re: title track) but just not a very good album in general. Summary: give it a chance, but it's definitly not for everyone
  13. GrahamV
    Oct 10, 2006
    9
    Well said, Trevor H. It's hilarious how ambition is lauded in hip hop and scowled at in rock 'n' roll. This is an ambitious rock album toying with big, non-ironic themes and the sounds of some of the biggest bands of the last 20 years. That makes the frustrated-musician set uncomfortable. This is a powerhouse album that, granted, shoots too high, but largely hits the Well said, Trevor H. It's hilarious how ambition is lauded in hip hop and scowled at in rock 'n' roll. This is an ambitious rock album toying with big, non-ironic themes and the sounds of some of the biggest bands of the last 20 years. That makes the frustrated-musician set uncomfortable. This is a powerhouse album that, granted, shoots too high, but largely hits the target. When hope and faith become bad words in rock, we're really in trouble. Go cower in your bedroom with Morrissey if you don't like this.… Expand
  14. NellyZ
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    I Love it, it has great songs and who cares what the critics say.
  15. human
    Oct 9, 2006
    6
    A vast improvement which isn't saying much since this band is responsible for the worst radio hit of the decade (Somebody Told Me) so far. I checked this out due to morbid curiosity of their new Boss-influenced sound. If they were trying for Springsteen they really missed the mark. What they did come up with is pretty enjoyable. If you were wonding what Bon Jovi jamming with Sparks A vast improvement which isn't saying much since this band is responsible for the worst radio hit of the decade (Somebody Told Me) so far. I checked this out due to morbid curiosity of their new Boss-influenced sound. If they were trying for Springsteen they really missed the mark. What they did come up with is pretty enjoyable. If you were wonding what Bon Jovi jamming with Sparks would sound like, you can quit wondering. I give it a B for bombast. My prediction is that this will be a relative flop and they will go back to lipgloss.… Expand
  16. DaveT
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    i hate Bones, other wise the album has grown on me.
  17. Patrizia
    Oct 9, 2006
    9
    Absolutely great!!
  18. ThriftyT
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    If you're too cool to listen to any band that plays to more than a club full of people, forget about the Killers' Sam's Town. The sound is big, the production is grandiose, the vocals uplifting, and the hooks are unrelenting. This is a big-time rock album by a big-time rock band.
  19. AlexE
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    It's hard to reach the soul of the songs through all this bombast & overproduction; but it's also hard to not let it win you over, once you've been there. Brandon Flowers delivers a perfomance that should have been given much more room to shine. Excellent!
  20. rp
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    Why criticize this album? It is different, not as catchy as hot fuss, but I like it. It is just a more complete album with also more "rock" songs and not only catchy songs.
  21. trimm
    Oct 7, 2006
    2
    im sorry but this sucks.
  22. JimS
    Oct 7, 2006
    10
    I have been a Killers fan since their debut album, and I was always surprised by how poorly their songs are received by critics. This is the best album of the year to date, no questions asked. Sure its short, and maybe it has too many cliches. But there are so many songs which on this album which would make my top 20 of the year, period. Sheer musical brillance.
  23. DrewN
    Oct 7, 2006
    9
    I have to say that I've liked the Killers in the past, but I was never an avid fan. I thought their music was catchy, but not especially clever. Well I'm over that now, I'm a true fan. I'd had my doubts over this album, and the band's turn towards more serious sounds. I even thought the first single was "boring" on the first few listens. But this is not music that I have to say that I've liked the Killers in the past, but I was never an avid fan. I thought their music was catchy, but not especially clever. Well I'm over that now, I'm a true fan. I'd had my doubts over this album, and the band's turn towards more serious sounds. I even thought the first single was "boring" on the first few listens. But this is not music that hits you instantly. It quietly (but ever so slyly) works its way into your head, until you realize you're singing these songs at the top of your lungs. A must-buy album of the year. Standout tracks: When You Were Young, Bones, Sam's Town, Bling (Confessions of a King), For Reasons Unknown (which is my personal favorite)… Expand
  24. ConorW
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    Epic album, driven by a real emotive power and the overwhelming feeling that there is something immense going on behind the music. With Sam's Town the killers have transcended novelty status, taking their rightful place at the forefront of modern music. The sign of a great band is that their music evolves and progresses - meaning that this isn't Hot Fuss all over again, and some Epic album, driven by a real emotive power and the overwhelming feeling that there is something immense going on behind the music. With Sam's Town the killers have transcended novelty status, taking their rightful place at the forefront of modern music. The sign of a great band is that their music evolves and progresses - meaning that this isn't Hot Fuss all over again, and some less open-minded fans and critics will resent this. However anyone willing to properly appreciate musical prowess will find immersive depth in this album and see that The Killers have in fact made a change for the better.… Expand
  25. stephenb
    Oct 6, 2006
    2
    "hot fuss" was damn near perfect. how did they go so horribly wrong on this album? bye bye simplistic catchy pop hooks. this album sounds like meatloaf and andrew lloyd webber wrote a musical about america. very disappointing.
  26. Joris
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    Brilliant! Bling (Confession of a King) does forget Mr. Brightside immediately. When We Were Young has to be the best single in ages.... Other standout tracks are the growing For Reasons Unknown and My List. Great effort, love the Ziggy Stardust exitlude and it's more consistent than Hot Fuss.
  27. Noj
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    I'd say it's pretty clear from the reviews that the only people that don't like this album are stuck up indie guys who can't like any band that is also liked by more than 100 people or by someone who has some sort of bone to pick with Flowers. The album to me is great. It is more solid from the beginning to the end than Hot Fuss. Sure there's no Mr. Brightside but I'd say it's pretty clear from the reviews that the only people that don't like this album are stuck up indie guys who can't like any band that is also liked by more than 100 people or by someone who has some sort of bone to pick with Flowers. The album to me is great. It is more solid from the beginning to the end than Hot Fuss. Sure there's no Mr. Brightside but there's a lot of really good solid songs on this album. I haven't stopped listening to it since I got it.… Expand
  28. TrevorH
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    Oh dear... the cynics won't like this at all. That too-cool-for-school posse of world weary Serious Music Fans are bound to sneer at the naive ethusiasm on display here. Unfashionable themes of optimism and dreaming of better thing are grabbed and held tight. Pre-corporate Springsteen comes to mind. It may not have the depth of Born To Run, but it has it's soul in excess
  29. MichaelR
    Oct 6, 2006
    4
    Everyone expected BIG BIG things from this album, being that 'Hot Fuss' sold over 5 million copies...I too could not wait for Sam' Town. Now that I have listened to it for two days, i'd appreciate The Killers to take the album, keep about 3 or 4 songs, and go back to the studio and make better, CATCHIER songs...WAY TOO MANY FILLER SONGS HERE!!! good songs on the album: Everyone expected BIG BIG things from this album, being that 'Hot Fuss' sold over 5 million copies...I too could not wait for Sam' Town. Now that I have listened to it for two days, i'd appreciate The Killers to take the album, keep about 3 or 4 songs, and go back to the studio and make better, CATCHIER songs...WAY TOO MANY FILLER SONGS HERE!!! good songs on the album: "When you were young", great song "Bones", bowie/the cure-like and fun "The River is Wild" fast fun song "Sam's Town"… Expand
  30. MichaelC
    Oct 5, 2006
    7
    Definitely not "the best record of the last 10 years" like Brandon Flowers boasted, but good enough. Thoroughly enjoyable and solid. It is definitely an improvement on Hot Fuss. The standout track is, by far, "Bones"
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2006
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. Uncut
    60
    The problem... is that size seems to be used as an excuse for the lack of musical ideas. [Nov 2006, p.102]
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Crucially, Sam's Town sounds like a complete collection, with a far better strike rate than its predecessor.
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  3. Blender
    80
    It is very good.
    Read full review
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