2LP, Compilation, Repress
Island Records (2018) EU
Very much a 20th century band, The Killers have turned their initial obsession with British alternative pop, indie rock and lo-fi into a huge, stadium-filling sound that manages to retain integrity while appealing to the mainstream. In that happy place they've released four studio albums that have sold an estimated 22 million copies worldwide (all four topping the UK charts) and matched the long form discs' Platinum status with massive hit singles.
Sawdust is a 2LP compilation of singles, B-sides, rarities, covers and remixes recorded between 2002 and 2007. Most acts would just sleepwalk through such a project, or leave it to the company but the Killers took full control in including great covers of Joy Division's "Shadowplay" and Dire Straits' intricate "Romeo and Juliet." Their version of "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," the Mel Tillis' mid-60s Vietnam war weepie made legendary by Kenny Rogers, is also a delight. A great collection for fans and newcomers!