Every man must one day face his destiny, alone. For Brandon Flowers, that day has come.
The front-man and leader of the successful American rock band, The Killers, is stepping out solo, but can this “killer” survive on his own?
Flowers’ debut album is “Flamingo” — and this is perfect. Flowers has always been a flamingo; flaunting his vocal talent, his songwriting genius, and his flamboyant on-stage personality. One thing that Flowers is not, though, is new to the game, with four “The Killers” albums under his belt, it’s safe to say that Flower’s knows what he’s doing.
Although his personality is like a flamingo, this album comes charging out of the gate like a thoroughbred in the Kentucky Derby — and it never stops. While some artist’s take their solo effort as an opportunity to quiet down a little and explore the inner-working of their creativity through introspective, acoustically-inclined reflections (see Eddie Vedder and Robert Plant) no one told Flowers that. He attacks this opportunity with a thirsty, unapologetic energy.
“Welcome to Las Vegas,” the album’s opening track is basically Flowers describing his town (the place where whatever happens there, stays there), for all that it is, a paradox of the best and worst that life has to offer. Flowers’ Las Vegas is less Tom Jones and Siegfried and Roy, and more lonely, desert nights, and passionate hot sun.
“Flamingo” is essentially, a flawlessly accurate description of everything that Flowers is. It’s also a giant, neon sign that points you in the direction of one of the most talented rock lyricists working today. It’s slightly glam with massive arena-anthems, contagious choruses, and reckless energy. The track “Hard Enough” begins with a Flowers harmony that flaunts his vocal prowess. There are a lot of different things going on in the music behind the vocals, with little samples of what is to come at the end of each verse. Before you know it, the chorus is there and out of nowhere you’re listening to a powerful, energetic, and beautiful duet with Jenny Lewis, lead-singer of the indie band Rilo Kiley.
The track “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts” takes a page right out of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.” It cements the notion that in the landscape of American rock, that is more than just power chords and long hair, a torch is being passed from Springsteen to Flowers.
“The Killers” fans should be happy that this album resembles a sound similar to the rugged, glorious, working-class America, which was heard on “Sam’s Town.” And everyone else can rest assured that, whether it’s with “The Killers” or on his own, Flowers is more than a formidable ambassador for all that American rock ‘n’ roll should be.
