By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The Killers are a rock band that have been tearing up the charts for quite some time now. Like most bands, they have gone in different directions, and although I may not always understand their content or videos, I respect that as fresh, entertaining artists. Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town grabbed me by the shoulders and slammed me to the ground, and left me laying there with headphones on. All I kept thinking to myself upon first listen was, damn, it’s about time the punk/new wave movement from the early 80’s got recycled. On the other hand, as time evolved, projects such as Day & Age made me stand up, and move on. I was expecting an album with added synth-pop pressure and maybe even an electronic vibe, and at times it felt too much like a collage of influences as an alternative of a finished album (than again, it still sold a shit load, so my opinion is not the only one). Not that I don’t respect their more current work, just that in my opinion, some things age better than others.

So what now, Killers fans? Front man, Brandon Flowers, has decided to take on a solo-project, as many decide to do at this point in their career. The Vegas native exposed this information on The Killers website, with his name lit up like a neon casino sign on the Las Vegas strip along with an announcement. I don’t know much about this album yet, accept that it is happening. Are they breaking up? No. He’s simply taking a break to pursue other options (it’s not you, it’s him). Flower’s isn’t the only affiliate to embark on additional activity during the Killers’ vacation: Drummer Ronnie Vannucci has been recruited by the new group Mt. Desolation, featuring members of Keane, Noah and the Whale, and Mumford and Sons.

Lead Single Crossfire , off of the album Flamingo (it’s out in September, fyi), did not initially grab my attention, but in the myst of things, I found myself starting to like it more and more. He is very creative and entertaining. It’s wholly developed contemporary pop rock, that is suggestive of some of the tracks from The Killers Day & Age album, which is why I was uncertain if I’d dig it. But this is different; there is more emphasis on Flowers’ vocals and lyrics than on instrumentation. Let’s just say, to quote one of his own lyrics, “It’s a bit older, a little bit colder”. Now that the world has their first petal off Flowers’ solo plant, all can rest secure that the dude isn’t going off track.

At the end of the day, Flowers has deep and meaningful lyrics, and wants a new audience to appreciate his work. Have you heard any of the new material? Listen below; is flying solo always the safe route to travel?

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