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. 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.
  2. robbys
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Brilliant from the first to last track.Has to be albm of the year if not decade!!!
  3. NellyZ
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    I Love it, it has great songs and who cares what the critics say.
  4. GunnarS.
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    This is the really best of The Killers! Amazing album!
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. BobM
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Not as good as Hot Fuss, but an amazing album nonetheless.
  9. JerryT
    Feb 16, 2007
    10
    I LOVE this CD. The more you listen to it the more you learn. The lyrics are great and so is the sound. Congrats to the Killers for topping their first album.
  10. Jeroen
    Aug 31, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums I have. (only listened to it since 3 weeks).. Am listening now for 3 weeks to it. That happens rarely. Category new one from Kings of leon...Very very good.
  11. AnnM
    Sep 8, 2008
    10
    Sams Town is definitely as good as Hot Fuss. This is the only band that has captured my heart. Some of the critics must be listening with their ears closed.
  12. 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.
  13. Al
    Oct 2, 2006
    10
    Amazing
  14. CandaceS
    Oct 20, 2006
    10
    This album is nothing short of amazing. As a fan of Hot Fuss it's easy to see how much they've grown as songwriters and musicians.
  15. GGRanger
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    Good Record.
  16. Jon
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    I absolutely love this album. Like it more than the frist album. I think it's more solid start to finish. I hear more U2 than Springsteen or Queen.
  17. BrandonFlowers
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    63?! You're kidding. The most important record of the past twenty years and you think it's a 63? This album's slick, innovative Springsteen/U2 sound has made albums like Born In the U.S.A. and The Joshua Tree totally obsolete. How can you give a 63 to a guy who ripped his image from Rivers Cuomo after getting tired of ripping his image from Duran Duran? Has anyone else 63?! You're kidding. The most important record of the past twenty years and you think it's a 63? This album's slick, innovative Springsteen/U2 sound has made albums like Born In the U.S.A. and The Joshua Tree totally obsolete. How can you give a 63 to a guy who ripped his image from Rivers Cuomo after getting tired of ripping his image from Duran Duran? Has anyone else tried to recycle New Wave recently? I didn't think so. The least I'll except is a 94. Otherwise, I'm moving to Mars. Critics are idiots.… Expand
  18. C.Mick
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    I remember when Hot Fuss came out and American Critics Ripped it as an 80's pastiche. Then the Killers became huge and the same critics attempted to leap on the bandwagon at the last minute. This band writes great songs, looks great, girls love them - who cares what the dateless nerds who read pitchfork think
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. sindym
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    I love this album, but it take a couple of listens before individual songs stood out to me. I loved hot fuss and i feel a little sad that they have left that part of their lives behind. I love both albums, but they sound like two different bands. My two favourite bands.
  22. KaseyM.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    An All-time favorite album!! (and Im picky when it comes to lyric and vocal creativity) The album is full of character and energy that most artists today are lacking... plus the concert was absolutely amazing! Seeing Sam's Town live was the highlight of my concert-filled summer and I enjoyed it so much I'm driving to Texas to see it again! Rolling Stone should fire the critic An All-time favorite album!! (and Im picky when it comes to lyric and vocal creativity) The album is full of character and energy that most artists today are lacking... plus the concert was absolutely amazing! Seeing Sam's Town live was the highlight of my concert-filled summer and I enjoyed it so much I'm driving to Texas to see it again! Rolling Stone should fire the critic who gave Paris Hilton a better review than Brandon Flowers and The Killers.… Expand
  23. BenH
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    At first I said "This album is terrible" but the more I listened to it i realized what musical genius it is. It is the best album that has ever been created, it just takes you listening to it ten times to realize it.
  24. CamiJ
    Jun 23, 2009
    10
    This CD is rock heaven; I love everything about it. I think it's impossible to find any genuine flaws in both the songs and the band, and it's for that reason that I will support them to the end.
  25. DeanM.
    Aug 20, 2009
    10
    I agree totally with Brandon Flowers, this is possibly the best album of the last 20 years, so far, a fears rival of their first album hot fuss, its yet another great album from the Las Vegas Superstars !
  26. Cat
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    I love the new sound. Just an all together feel good album.
  27. DenmarkJ
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    I don't get the reviews that say it is not as good as Hot Fuss. Sure, there is no sequal to Mr. Brightside, and I'll admit that I misssed that at first. But it is such a stronger album track for track, and unlike Hot Fuss, gets strongest toward the end. Thanks Killers!
  28. drewr
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    i love this band and i love this album
  29. SB
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    While this album makes me wince at a couple of points, i still can't help but be so stoked. They had me at "When You Were Young".
  30. BrendanM
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    Brilliant
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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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