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The Desired Effect
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The Desired Effect Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 100 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length solo release for The Killers lead singer was produced with Ariel Rechtshaid.
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Top Track

Can't Deny My Love
Open up to the night Our bed is underneath the heavy moon Cast a doubt like a shadow walking Through the corners of the room I always thought I'd... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    May 14, 2015
    91
    It’s Flowers’ unique presence--equal parts Wild West underdog and glitzy glam messiah--that really transforms Effect’s Reagan-era throwbacks into forward-thinking Instagram-age rock.
  2. AllMusic
    May 18, 2015
    80
    The genius thing about all this is that Flowers doesn't steal Jeff Lynne's hooks or ape Mark Knopfler's guitar sound (well, not exactly), he just imbues his productions with a distinct level of tangible homage.
  3. The Telegraph (UK)
    May 12, 2015
    80
    Every track offers up a smart blend of snappy lyrics and catchy hooks, and at least half are absolutely glorious.
  4. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    80
    This album is brazenly in hock to the shoulder pad decade. Its telegraphed choruses will not be denied. [Jun 2015, p.88]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    May 19, 2015
    70
    Taken together, The Desired Effect is something rare--the best straight-up pop album made by a rock star in recent memory.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 2, 2015
    67
    The Desired Effect for a feel-good LP of self-discovery is coming-of-age stories that transform into lost Springsteen anthems. Mission accomplished.
  7. Clash Music
    Jul 2, 2015
    50
    These 10 tracks continually buckle under the weight of Flowers' torrid lyrics, mind-numbing cliches, and woefully derivative song structures.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. j_conrad_brown
    Sep 14, 2015
    10
    The Desired Effect is a perfect pop anthem style album. It's hard to deny that Brandon Flowers' voice can fill an arena, but it can also pullThe Desired Effect is a perfect pop anthem style album. It's hard to deny that Brandon Flowers' voice can fill an arena, but it can also pull back enough to be very intimate. He sounds unabashedly enthusiastic as an artist throughout all of the tracks on this album. We just saw him perform most of the tunes at a live show with only 2000 people. His live performance enthusiasm was clear. I highly recommend The Desired Effect.… Expand
  2. BeauFuller
    Jun 25, 2015
    9
    Quite fun.Quite fun. .… Expand
  4. gabrielfobia
    Sep 12, 2016
    8
    I think Brandon really gets the desired effect from this album, it is really upbeat, with some intense sounds and great lyrics. It could,I think Brandon really gets the desired effect from this album, it is really upbeat, with some intense sounds and great lyrics. It could, obviously, be better, there are some tracks in the album that are just fillers, but in general, it's a nice listen.… Expand
  5. WhiskeyStories
    May 23, 2017
    7
    A very fun album with a lot of funky songs that just make you want to dance. My definite favourites are Still want you, Can't deny my loveA very fun album with a lot of funky songs that just make you want to dance. My definite favourites are Still want you, Can't deny my love and I can change. These three songs, coming after each othe,r are the difinite highlights of the album for me.… Expand
  6. quotes
    Jun 7, 2015
    7
    Good? Yes. Could be better than it is? Maybe. The Desired Effect is a good release from Brandon. The album is romantic, intense and reminds meGood? Yes. Could be better than it is? Maybe. The Desired Effect is a good release from Brandon. The album is romantic, intense and reminds me of 70's and 80's music's style, so original and different of the stuff that we listen nowadays. But it is not something like "wow, that is a **** awesome disc" that totally impress you. There are really great songs and bad songs too, and this makes the album worse than we expect.… Expand
  7. showbizjunkie
    May 22, 2015
    6
    Brandon Flowers finally decided to just go pop and run with it. Much less Killers-esque than his previous solo endeavor, "The Desired Effect"Brandon Flowers finally decided to just go pop and run with it. Much less Killers-esque than his previous solo endeavor, "The Desired Effect" is a fun pop album with feel-good retro sounds and soaring vocals. Overall, it's a joy to listen to, but lacking in overall substance. Nothing's wrong with fun music, but my main fear is that when The Killers get back together, this album's mainstream feel will rub off on their next record. If Brandon Flowers wants to be a pop star, fine; but The Killers need to stay in alternative rock. Overall, this is a very solid mainstream album that I enjoyed, with a few hits and an easy-listening feel. 7/10.… Expand
  8. TheReviewDude
    May 20, 2015
    6
    I'm a big fan of the Killers and his first solo album. There are 2-3 great songs on this new album. However, overall it feels over-produced,I'm a big fan of the Killers and his first solo album. There are 2-3 great songs on this new album. However, overall it feels over-produced, monotonous, and it lacks that real soulful punch. There are 3-4 pretty bad songs on the album as well. This feels like filler material until the Killers finally regroup and release their next album. I'm not really sure how some of the critics gave this such high reviews. However, then I looked at the other 5 new releases this week (including Faith No More) and they were ALL reviewed at a higher score. This second solo effort is only slightly better than average and, in my opinion, a step back from his debut release.… Expand

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