Summary:Known as the frontman for Las Vegas-based rock group, The Killers, Brandon Flowers ventures out on his own with a solo debut that sounds achingly similar to the melodic, Vegas-themed music of his band but with a more self-conscious approach.
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Record Label:Island
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival
Flowers feverishly blows up the songs as if they're helium balloons bound for the stratosphere. Any sense of restraint - which, granted, has never been the Killers' specialty - is steamrolled by one bombastic chorus after another.
It's clear from Flamingo that Flowers accounts for the lion's share of talent in The Killers, and if they ever go on definite hiatus, their fans can look forward to more consistently good material in the form of Flowers' solo albums.
It would be laughable if Flowers wasn't 100 percent committed, and if the hooks on Flamingo weren't irresistible. He is, and they are - and you'll be too busy singing along to giggle.
Though the record is more believably grown than his main band's overblown 2006 Bruce ode Sam's Town, it's still a bit heartbreaking to see such a lovable peacock purposefully fading his colors.
Let's hope that Flowers isn't the next Morrissey, putting out one brilliant album for every three duds. At that rate, we only have to suffer two more Flamingos to see what Flowers is capable of producing as a solo artist.
Brilliant album! All the songs are good. Where as most albums have a couple of songs that you just simply skip over this album doesn't. MyBrilliant album! All the songs are good. Where as most albums have a couple of songs that you just simply skip over this album doesn't. My favourite album at the moment and one of my favourite of all all time.…Expand
Think it's great. A good traveling album in my opinion, something to take away when you're far from home. Love most of the intros on thisThink it's great. A good traveling album in my opinion, something to take away when you're far from home. Love most of the intros on this record, it builds well, possibly 1 or 2 fillers here and there, but the rest is good. I'd recommend this to anyone who just wants to chill out to a relaxing record of songs.…Expand
Eight is a charitable score, in truth. Eight is a step below greatness, and while Flowers' debut, Flamingo, is not a truly great album, it isEight is a charitable score, in truth. Eight is a step below greatness, and while Flowers' debut, Flamingo, is not a truly great album, it is a very good one for what it tries to accomplish. In relation to its peers' (and Flowers' own musical Alma Mater, The Killers') work, it is deserving of a low eight.
It is a strong pop-oriented album that lacks the indie sensibilities that seemed to weaken Day & Age and perhaps the strongest effort the young Las Vegas resident has afforded us, solo or otherwise.…Expand
As a big Killers fan i found this album underwhelming alot of the songs sound like Killers lite , there's not alot of experimentation orAs a big Killers fan i found this album underwhelming alot of the songs sound like Killers lite , there's not alot of experimentation or ambition on this record and overall the songs just aren't that strong , there are a couple of highlights in Only The Young and Playing With Fire but still both songs seem overproduced , the bonus tracks are a treat (especially 11 , 12 and 14) they are far more interesting and better lyrically than the majority of songs on the main album.
Not terrible. It's a bit like a B-sides album for the Killer's Day and Age. Killers A-side albums are fairly different sounding from eachNot terrible. It's a bit like a B-sides album for the Killer's Day and Age. Killers A-side albums are fairly different sounding from each other. 'Playing with Fire' is a good high point of the Flamingo.…Expand
If you're looking to listen to an exuberant, mind-filled artists with ace songs, look no further than The Killers. But really, don't lookIf you're looking to listen to an exuberant, mind-filled artists with ace songs, look no further than The Killers. But really, don't look further than that, because their frontman Brandon Flowers made a flop of a decent record with "Flamingo". Really, "Crossfire" was the only track that had garnered any of my interest. Well, maybe also the exception with "Only the Young". But the rest of the record sounds like an obvious revision of Sam's Town into some sort of "looking back to my childhood" feel, rather than the latter's "Young boys wanting to grow up to be men" feel. Ultimately, my point is that this album had hype to it, but failed to live up to it. But, Flowers did appear to make an effort on the record, but recycling idea is not the best way to do so, thus I give the record a "2 out of 5 stars" a.k.a. a 4.…Expand