• Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jun 15, 2004
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The Killers sound like a delicious puree of Blur, Pulp and the Cure, loading Hot Fuss with stylish synth-pop effects and big blazing choruses.
  2. Hot Fuss is a multi-faceted, consistently interesting and enjoyable synth-rock album with strengths across the songwriting, singing, and playing fields.
  3. What's apparent from playing this album is that almost everything they've got is a killer single.
  4. Blender
    80
    They're not the first--or even the fifteenth--recent band to draw on that era [of the 1980s], but they're among the most assured. [#27, p.138]
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    The band only falter on Fuss' slower, boring numbers, which consistently lack the zest and vibrancy of their uptempo counterparts. [Jul 2004, p.146]
  6. In less capable hands the results could be unsophisticated and cringeworthy - as it is, they team the neon luminosity of Duran Duran with the camp, boyish charm of Dexys Midnight Runners - and are as likeable as either of them.
  7. Wait a minute... you mean this isn't a Duran Duran album?
  8. The Rapture are artier, and Franz Ferdinand are more, well, Scottish, but this Las Vegas band has actual pop songs -- in spades.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    The Killers have made half of the album of the year. Lucky that now we've got Napster, you only need to buy half. [5 Jun 2004, p.55]
  10. This album’s appeal is so superficial that those who don’t cotton to guys trying to look pretty while the bombs drop should avoid this entirely.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 373 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 22 out of 373
  1. ryan
    Dec 28, 2004
    10
    i love the killers!! this is one of the best albums i've ever heard! they have a lot of talent. every song is incredible!!
  2. Sep 27, 2020
    10
    Every Song on this album has its own high value. Especially Mr.Brightside ( the best jealousy song ever written ), All these things that IEvery Song on this album has its own high value. Especially Mr.Brightside ( the best jealousy song ever written ), All these things that I have done and Jenny was a friend of mine. There is not a single song on this album that is not worth listening to. Highly recommended! Full Review »
  3. Dec 15, 2013
    10
    A classic indie rock album, ''Smile Like You Mean It'' and ''Jenny Was a Friend of Mine'' are the highlights of the album and we can't fail toA classic indie rock album, ''Smile Like You Mean It'' and ''Jenny Was a Friend of Mine'' are the highlights of the album and we can't fail to highlight the gay passion by Brandon in ''Andy You're Star''. Full Review »