Hot Fuss

The first half of this album is filled with certified classics. The second half is mostly new to me, but didn't disappoint. Amazing album.

Nothing particularly original going on, but this is a solid 3.5 album all day long. Just some amazingly catchy tunes.

Dunno what to think about this. There's definitely some bangers on here, but I'm also sick of hearing them on the radio

Alternative rock, dance-punk revival, new wave, art rock, synth-pop, dance-rock. The genre labels for The Killers’ debut album "Hot Fuss" explain my problem with the band’s sound and my lack of interest. Because, honestly, I don’t hear any new wave here (how could I? It’s a genre label from the eighties), above all, I certainly don’t hear any art rock, and terms (and concepts) like dance-rock (sic!) and dance-punk (SIC!!) are enough to put me off for good. What I hear is that typical highly agitated vocals that eventually became established in alternative rock, along with a wall of sound made up of guitars and a few keyboard sounds that clash with the singer’s bleating. Of course, Brendan Flowers can sing well, but I wish he wouldn’t yell every note at full throttle. This music lacks variety and dynamic changes; almost everything seems to be cranked up to the max. I’ve heard worse, but “Glamorous Indie Rock’n’Roll” (that’s a track on the album) is absolutely not my cup of tea.

During the summer before eighth grade, I got involved in my first social media site, the now defunct Quizilla. You could make quizzes, write stories, collaboratively create "choose your own adventure" stories, and engage in other writing-based activities. I started writing a serialized detective story called "Detective Faineant" and amassed a dedicated fanbase of one person. Her screen name was ILoveVampires123, and we struck up a correspondence on the website's chat feature. I don't remember that much about her, except for the following facts: she lived in Florida, her real name started with an M, she loved vampires (presumably), and her favorite song was "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. She asked me to be her boyfriend, but I turned her down—I didn't want my first girlfriend to be over the computer. I kind of had a crush on her, but I think really, I just liked her adoration. From time to time, I wonder about her—where is she now? Does she still write? Love vampires? Enjoy "Mr. Brightside"? I think I can comfortably say the answer to the last question is yes.

Hot Fuss is a solid, fun rock album that I've never listened to, aside from the iconic aforementioned "Mr. Brightside," which is practically the millennial "Don't Stop Believing." And I've heard "Somebody Told Me," though it's never grabbed me in quite the same way.

The album is sleekly produced. Packed with catchy melodies, memorable riffs, glittering synths. It lags a bit in the second half, but overall, it's a great album of the mid-2000s, and contains one of the most important songs for my generation. And it will forever be associated with my almost first online girlfriend. The review goes out to you, ILoveVampires123. I hope you're doing well.

Når man lægger så hårdt ud, så er det lidt svært at holde den kørende hele albummet. Og det synes jeg ikke, at vores Killer-mormoner formår her. Der er også noget med mixet og især vokalen. Den effekt og det volumen-leje, de har valgt, er fuldstændig vanvittigt - og ikke på den gode måde.

Det tager *intet* fra Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, Somebody Told Me og Mr. Brightside, der for evigt vil være ultra-bangers
Der er dog også nogle stinkers her på, og ja, sidste halvdel er nok i virkeligheden 1 stjerne under første halvdel.

3.2

Evocative of a nice generic American strip mall.

Like the debut Franz Ferdinand album, this record really defines an era of mainstream success for indie rock. Unfortunately, the ensuing over saturation also meant an inevitable backlash and I'm sure there are a bunch of 1 & 2 star reviews of this record based solely on how annoyed people are to have to hear these songs again. I guess it is pretty wild that, twenty-plus years later, "Mr. Brightside" still shows up on singles charts. This record just won't go away.

Does it all hold up? Of course not - if I had this on vinyl I'd probably never play Side 2. But the 2024 Indie boom was one of the major musical stories of the aughts, and you can't discuss it without the first half of this record. Suck it up, nerds!

I can't say that it was bad, because I enjoyed some songs, not all of them but some. It's not groundbreaking but it's pretty catchy and fun overall. Also Mr Brightside is and will forever be a classic. Amazing song.

I've got Soul but im not a soldier" is the dumbest line in music history.

"I've got mail but im not a mailman"

"I've got ham but im not a hamster."

that said, the singles are iconic.

solid

Absolute essential indie rock. This album definitely shows the pop side of the genre more, however the more rock oriented songs are the better tracks. While Sam's town is a million miles better, Hot Fuss still has some great music that engrains itself as timeless 2000's indie forever.

I started listening to this album by listening to the songs which i had already liked from this album which was a surprising amount. I thought it would just be two, "mr brightside" and "somebody told me", but it was actually a lot. the first one i listened to was "all the things ive done" and i was like I KNOW THIS BUT I DONT KNOW IT and then it came to the "ive got soul but im not a soldier" part and i was like OHHHHHH OKAY. i really like the synth-like thing in "smile like you mean it". okay i know that this album is supposed to be like basic pop rock stuff, but i can't help but be a fan. it is also called white people music sometimes but i am white, so, GUILTY! i do think that i like the version of "somebody told me" by maneskin better than this one. it's more gritty which i think fits the song better. the way "change your mind" starts when you're wearing headphones is JUST IN THE LEFT EAR. i don't really like it when the only sound im hearing is just one of my ears. it's just three seconds that it's like that though, im being dramatic.

A quite generic rock album with some great tunes. I'll be happy when I stumble on it at random but I don't think I'll ever actively search for it.

Favorite Songs: Mr. Brightside ; Somebody told me

The Killers first album could have been more killer less filler had they settled on a shorter tracklist and moved the running order around a bit. My memory of this album was very warm, given how flawless the many era defining singles are, but the second half is chock full of b-sides. They have a tendency to stretch out and make the most of every idea - which is great when things are working, but when they’re not it gets a bit wearing.

Regardless, its a fact that the first four tracks are some of the very best songs to come out of the indie era.

I was familiar with the band's name. However, I associated it more with a band from the 70s. I really enjoyed the album. I'd like to listen to it again. 4/5

A wildly inconsistent album, but the highs are very good indeed despite being overplayed to death, and form summer playlist staples. You could probably lose most of the back end of Hot Fuss, and "Smile Like You Mean It" and "All These Things I've Done" are just a bit shite innit? But the album does radiate a sense of nostalgia for less complicated, more carefree times.

Despite being an American band, The Killers have always had a bit of a British "lad culture" whiff about them to engender appeal over on these shores. It's not ostensibly British, but compatible enough through its "cheekiness" and slightly mopey lyrical expressions. It was all downhill from here though, judging from the limited Killers material that I've been exposed to otherwise.

I'm sure it's not as great as I think it is, but for all the sentimental reasons, this hits so hard.

soundtrack to my middle school years. second half is a drag though. 3.5

I dont have much to say about this album. I really dont. The first half feels like a greatest hits album and the second half feels like filler. I will not be revisiting this album again. 3 stars

Saved songs: Mr brightside, somebody told me, on top

Was this album better than yesterday’s album, Stardust by Willie Nelson? Yes.