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. Samantha
    Oct 3, 2006
    8
    I really like this album. Its alittle different then there first album 'Hot Fuss' (which I love) but, I think the songs are great and catchy. And Brandon Flowers has an amazing sound. All and all, I love their music, lyrics, and there whole musical style.
  2. JonS
    Oct 3, 2006
    8
    not as good as hot fuss. what would be? not really hearing the springsteen influences. hear some simple minds, and u2, and more obscurely - the the. definite 80's type of vibe being dished out. good. more mature than hot fuss...i dig it more each time i listen to it.
  3. AndrewR.
    Oct 4, 2006
    3
    ouch, tough to listen to. I didn't "enjoy the show", and frankly "Sam's town" should only have a population of 3.
  4. Sven
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    Works for me. I quite like the idea of a band having numerous personas. It has a different feel to Hot Fuss, which will arguably be seen retrospectively as one of the most classic debut albums, bo so what. The songwriting is strong and the tunes instantly cathy. A Mr Brightside there isn't, but I'm sure I will be tapping along to many of these tacks when I see them live next Works for me. I quite like the idea of a band having numerous personas. It has a different feel to Hot Fuss, which will arguably be seen retrospectively as one of the most classic debut albums, bo so what. The songwriting is strong and the tunes instantly cathy. A Mr Brightside there isn't, but I'm sure I will be tapping along to many of these tacks when I see them live next month. It has a very familiar feel already - I usually take 4 or 5 listens of an album to even get an opinion. I like it.… Expand
  5. DanielM
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    A rock Opera masterpiece. 80's, Springsteen inspiration and The Killers at their best.
  6. CarlosV
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Perfect!
  7. Ian
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    Sure, it thinks its more important than it is and the lyrics aren't revolutionary. But that doesn't make the music, Flowers' voice or the overall experience any less remarkable. Better than Hot Fuss, and kudos for a band willing to grow a little.
  8. jimh
    Oct 5, 2006
    0
    no me gusta
  9. 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
  10. trimm
    Oct 7, 2006
    2
    im sorry but this sucks.
  11. Patrizia
    Oct 9, 2006
    9
    Absolutely great!!
  12. RyanL
    Sep 19, 2006
    10
    From the 30 seconds I've heard on each track, yeah. This is Hot Fuss #2, but it doesn't have a single hole. Can't wait to hear the rest.
  13. Paul
    Oct 12, 2007
    9
    Awesome album. One of my favourites of 2006.
  14. DinoM
    Dec 4, 2007
    8
    This one grew on me. Great album, definitely worth getting, most of the songs are content filled and each with unique appeal. The indie feel is still this for this huge mainstream band. Instant classics which are not easily forgettable. Do yourself a favour and get this album.
  15. ReviewBoy15
    Jan 26, 2007
    8
    The lyrics are'nt amazing at first but it's the way that they combine the lyrics into their instrumental music that gets you hooked. It's not as good as "Hot Fuss" but it's a great record nonetheless. Kept me hooked for weeks on end.
  16. JohnF.
    Dec 7, 2007
    10
    it's a massively under-rated album, probably my favourite of all time.
  17. ScottW
    Apr 13, 2007
    9
    This album is not perfect but it is better than "Hot Fuss." While it's true the band sounds more bombastic, they have every right to be with the great songs on this album. The best song is "Bling (Confession of a King)" and the worst is "Bones."
  18. JimD
    Apr 14, 2007
    10
    Took about 500 listens for me to comment - I LUV this album. Sprinsteenian lyrics, sweet ambitious songs that demand your attention. The best of music evokes thoughts and images and that's just what this album does.
  19. CoolKid
    Apr 24, 2007
    9
    Good record. Key idea though is that each song ranslates VERY VERY well to the live show. See them live.
  20. HermiaJ
    Apr 26, 2007
    9
    Strong follow up to Hot Fuss that shows growth and more complexity in both the music and lyrics.
  21. GarethL
    May 27, 2007
    10
    I loved Hot Fuss ! I love Sams Town ! Why do so many people expect artists to churn out the same stuff, album after album ? Musically fantastic ... can't stop listening to it ... cant wait to see where they go next time ! Just LISTEN !!!!
  22. TrishL.
    Jun 25, 2007
    5
    Mediocre album. As a huge fan of Hot Fuss, this was a bitter disappointment.
  23. SulH.
    Jun 28, 2007
    8
    A solid album (albeit a bit too much grandeur) that really grows on you with every spin..
  24. Oligami
    Sep 11, 2007
    4
    It is worse than Hot Fuss for sure.
  25. PaulB
    Nov 21, 2008
    1
    Awful, was expecting a better album than the last one which was only half good but amazingly this is rubbish all the way through.
  26. JW
    Feb 4, 2008
    10
    One of the most important albums of this decade.
  27. AnonymousAnon
    Mar 20, 2008
    10
    Very underrated, vocals are almost god-like at times.
  28. Loriell
    May 1, 2008
    10
    I think this is a great album....... all of these people that give them bad reviews really need to stop because they are one of the few bands that actually have meaning behind their songs.
  29. LoriG
    May 1, 2008
    10
    Okay this is really rediculos that some people are giving the album a bad review because brandon flowers speaks his mind! he is one of the few artists of this decade that actually has a brain and he is intitle to a freaking opinoin! And compared to the crap in the radio like freaken Hannah Montanna I think they are the best thing in 20 years!
  30. BernieG.
    Feb 26, 2009
    10
    Give it a few years. Sam's Town will be considered one of the greatest albums of all time. It gets better with each listen.
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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.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    80
    It is very good.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »