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. MidnightShow
    Sep 30, 2010
    10
    Great follow up too the great Hot Fuss , The Killers certainly dont do things by halfs and the ambition and passion of this album is infectious , my favourite tracks are Bling and This River is Wild the Enterlude / Exitlude are a really nice touch and overall this album feels like a journey rather than just a series of (very good) songs with a common theme like Hot Fuss
  2. PC
    Nov 19, 2006
    9
    I must admit, when I first listened to this album I thought it was utter crap. It was too loud and sounded like they were trying so hard to be great that they crammed everything they counld into these tracks. And then somewhere along listening to the album all the different melodies and sounds seperated into something I could actually listen to. To be honest, I dont really like any recent I must admit, when I first listened to this album I thought it was utter crap. It was too loud and sounded like they were trying so hard to be great that they crammed everything they counld into these tracks. And then somewhere along listening to the album all the different melodies and sounds seperated into something I could actually listen to. To be honest, I dont really like any recent ablums, I'm more of a classic rock guy listening to artsits like ELP, Yes, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. This album echoes the sounds of those great bands that today's young have forgotten about. How many people today know that Meatloaf was something other than a food? Sam's Town is a very musically complicated disc. It takes many listens to actually see some of the brilliance behind some of the tracks. It just takes some time to see that brilliance, something critics dont have time to do. Hence the bad reviews… Expand
  3. Guidov.
    Jun 30, 2007
    3
    I really don't get this band and their rising popularity. What's special about this? It's pretentious, it doesn't really rock the balls out of your pants and the musicians are nothing special.
  4. CarlB
    Jul 19, 2007
    5
    Very mediocre. I do not understand why this band are so popular when people like Mark Lanegan are hardly noticed.
  5. JoshK.
    Jul 6, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite albums. It is as good as Hot Fuss, but it takes a few listens to see it. After that you'll notice how every track except the two enter and exit tracks are completely unique.
  6. 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
  7. ZackA
    Oct 3, 2006
    8
    Definitely I would say it is a better album as a whole than Hot Fuss. It does have a few awkward moments, but the great moments are really great. Some of the songs are more like 2 or 3 songs shoved down into one. They almost underuse some great riffs. But still, I would say it is growth for The Killers, no matter what anyone says. I think they're still going places. Standouts are Definitely I would say it is a better album as a whole than Hot Fuss. It does have a few awkward moments, but the great moments are really great. Some of the songs are more like 2 or 3 songs shoved down into one. They almost underuse some great riffs. But still, I would say it is growth for The Killers, no matter what anyone says. I think they're still going places. Standouts are "This River Is Wild," "Bling (Confessions of a King)," and "Bones."… Expand
  8. robbys
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Brilliant from the first to last track.Has to be albm of the year if not decade!!!
  9. gregor
    Oct 5, 2006
    9
    They will lose a few fans due to the new direction, but a fantastic album nevertheless even if it is a little daunting at first.
  10. NellyZ
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    I Love it, it has great songs and who cares what the critics say.
  11. GunnarS.
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    This is the really best of The Killers! Amazing album!
  12. 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.
  13. colinw
    Oct 18, 2006
    10
    i was unimpressed originally, but the album has really grown on me. songs such as "why do i keep counting," "the river is wild" and "Bling (confession of a king)" have become particular favorites of mine, to join "While you were young" and the enter/exitludes. overall, a very satisfying album.
  14. TreyS
    Oct 2, 2006
    1
    How far down will Brandon's ego take the band?
  15. CWhit
    Oct 20, 2006
    9
    Anyone who doesn't appreciate the lyrics on this album has never heard of a metaphor - which apparently includes most of the reviewers..
  16. randolfl
    Dec 4, 2006
    7
    On first listen there's enough about Sams Town to draw the listener in. Fans will instantly recognize Flowers' distinctive vocal tones while newcomers are likely to turn their ear to its urgency and energy. This is the bands strength; a telling energy infused with a kind of spiritual yearning and professional desire to go all the way. Throw in the big band theatrics and the On first listen there's enough about Sams Town to draw the listener in. Fans will instantly recognize Flowers' distinctive vocal tones while newcomers are likely to turn their ear to its urgency and energy. This is the bands strength; a telling energy infused with a kind of spiritual yearning and professional desire to go all the way. Throw in the big band theatrics and the recipe except for its most crucial elements is almost complete. Authenticity is something aspiring bands, especially those in their early years, need to build. Its rare abnyone arrives fully formed. In Sams Town there is more ambition than authentic greatness but the let don is still leaves plenty of room for hope. I think The Killers have it in them to make a great rock and roll record, Flowers just has to find the right place inside himself to come up withh lyrics and the delivery. Less U2 now, more Springsteen 30 years ago.… Expand
  17. AlexA
    Oct 27, 2006
    9
    Sounds epic. Brandon Flovers and co. are the new U2, that's for sure!
  18. JordanC
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    An album filled with wonderful catchy moments, hummable tunes and fantastic lyrics. More rounded than Hot Fuss, more of a story, and in my opinion, better.
  19. Giterdone
    Oct 3, 2006
    4
    lousy...the gig is up fellas
  20. TomL
    Oct 3, 2006
    5
    This album is no where near as good as the first one i have waited 2 years and im not happy but its not bad enough to give it less that five
  21. MC
    Oct 3, 2006
    2
    I recently them perform on SNL....when i heard Flowers "attempting" to sing I lost whatever small amount of respect I had for them. It was embarassing to watch him. This album has just cemented that. totally over-hyped hacks.
  22. dylan
    Oct 3, 2006
    4
    A mediocre record by a band whose ambition has far outstripped it's songwriting and vocal talents.
  23. JoeW
    Oct 4, 2006
    7
    pretty good all in all, takes a while to get into but after about the third listen you know all the songs and all the hooks. However the ending is pretty poor and that is why i am only giving it a 7
  24. Marc
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Dangerous departure from the first album. But they succeedded in making something more lasting and rewarding for listeners who get it. It has a kind of urgency, that makes it sound like they are playing for their lives, like Flowers voice that sounds like it's just one high note away from breaking. It's heartfelt and more honest than the first album. Less posturing, more music.
  25. 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"
  26. staystay
    Oct 5, 2006
    9
    Just give it a chance. This record is very good.
  27. JakeM.
    Oct 5, 2006
    2
    So if we were rating this on the Unintentional Comedy Scale, it would be a 10 out of 10. But let's keep this legit - this is junk, pure and straight up.
  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. 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
  30. 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!
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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
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