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Battle Born
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Battle Born Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 174 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth release for the Las Vegas pop band features production from Daniel Lanois, Steve Lillywhite, Brendan O'Brien, Stuart Price, and Damian Taylor.
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Top Track

Here With Me
Wheels are turning I remember when you were mine Now just to reach you Baby, I'd stand in line But there's another world We're living... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 18, 2012
    90
    Battle Born is the kind of rock 'n' roll record that almost nobody makes anymore: it's bombastic and excessive and oversized, but it's also a grand and universal statement, a master class of album structure and sequencing, and a culmination of everything Brandon Flowers and The Killers have done up to this point.
  2. BBC Music
    Sep 14, 2012
    80
    Battle Born is a belter, an album made for bedrooms, stadiums and old-school denim jacket patches alike.
  3. Spin
    Sep 17, 2012
    80
    For the first time, the ballads are as memorable as the dance cuts.
  4. Prefix Magazine
    Oct 4, 2012
    65
    Naturally there some moments where having too producers and visions hurts them, but for the most part, the band sticks to the formula that's worked in the past.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Sep 17, 2012
    60
    With their simultaneous emphasis on the pedal-to-the-metal triumphalism of rock's yesteryear and their ultimate submission to tomorrow's grinding machinery, the Killers' new album may as well be called Battle Born This Way.
  6. Magnet
    Dec 4, 2012
    55
    They too often edge into Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman territory, where every detail becomes a cause for operatic exaggeration and any clunky line or cliche sounds ridiculous. [No. 93, p.56]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. PopMatters
    Sep 24, 2012
    30
    Battle Born is a confused mess of an album, drenched in influences but positively overextended in its execution, the band trying way too hard to do something grander and more complex than what they've done before.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. Lucaskeane
    Sep 18, 2012
    10
    well you should know before hear this album:it's the perfect combination of all the other 3 albums toghether and we can take from this thatwell you should know before hear this album:it's the perfect combination of all the other 3 albums toghether and we can take from this that this it's a masterpiece!! the whole album its something very pleasure to be hear the sound of guitar the brilliant vocal os brandon flowers..and plus i can image the band playing Flesh and Bone in the shows:it's going to be amazing congratulations for this brilliant album… Expand
  2. 1petshop
    Oct 25, 2013
    10
    Wonderful album. Would love to hear this live. The Killers again combine magnificent rock with meaningful lyrics. Every song on the album isWonderful album. Would love to hear this live. The Killers again combine magnificent rock with meaningful lyrics. Every song on the album is great--no need skip any tracks!… Expand
  4. tkap
    Sep 23, 2012
    10
    This album was amazing! I heard a bit of Sam's Town and Brandon's solo album Flamingo in here, which wasn't bad because I really loved Sam'sThis album was amazing! I heard a bit of Sam's Town and Brandon's solo album Flamingo in here, which wasn't bad because I really loved Sam's Town being my favorite out of everything they released.… Expand
  5. Rickid
    Sep 21, 2012
    8
    Terrific new album. Big sweeping songs with big themes. I have only recently become a fan of theirs but this album does not disappoint. TryTerrific new album. Big sweeping songs with big themes. I have only recently become a fan of theirs but this album does not disappoint. Try it. I think most will like it.… Expand
  6. Ricko
    Feb 23, 2013
    8
    On first impression this sounded bloated, over produced and underwhelming but as I really enjoyed all their of their previous albums, IOn first impression this sounded bloated, over produced and underwhelming but as I really enjoyed all their of their previous albums, I decided to give this time and space to breathe before making up my mind. I'm glad I did. On repeat listens there are some excellent songs on here and some really great songwriting on display although too often the bands talent is completely smothered by overproduction. I really think this album would have majorly benefitted from an Indie Rock production approach instead of the Stadium Rock production thats on show. I know it's totally not cool to like The Killers anymore, but given a chance, this record has many charms.… Expand
  7. ImageMagician
    Dec 3, 2012
    7
    At first listen, this album feels like a very by-the-book, stadium rocker album. There isn't anything that immediately grabs you asAt first listen, this album feels like a very by-the-book, stadium rocker album. There isn't anything that immediately grabs you as innovative. It's also lacking the aggressive punch of the first two albums. Even the songs that try to "rock" feel more like and attempt to be powerful than actually conveying power. That being said, the hooks are memorable. You can't help humming the songs. They keep pulling you back for another listen. This has the feel of a bad-boy band all grown up. Even though it's more mainstream, it's still worth the listen.… Expand
  8. zdase27
    Feb 12, 2013
    0
    Finally, after a four-year hiatus, The Killers broke the silence with their fourth studio album, 2012’s Battle Born. Turns out silenceFinally, after a four-year hiatus, The Killers broke the silence with their fourth studio album, 2012’s Battle Born. Turns out silence would’ve been easier on the ears. This album couldn’t have been further from Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town if they’d tried (and they may’ve; it’s really bad). It’s almost as if they decided to remake Day Age with more engineering and less emotion (if that’s even possible). I don’t know who their target audience is nowadays, and I’m not sure they do either; all I know is that it can’t be the same people who made their earlier works fly off the shelves, skyrocketing them into superstardom. I guess “what happens in Vegas” really should “stay in Vegas”. My guess is that The Killers will be reduced to ‘house band’ at Caesar’s Palace in no time. On a positive note, Battle Born makes me appreciate Day Age a lot more than I ever thought I could. Oh, and I think it’s time for The Killers to change their name to something a little less aggressive, such as “The Whiners” or perhaps “The Fray”. They don’t deserve a cool name anymore.… Expand

See all 33 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2012
35
#35 Most Shared Album of 2012

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