THE KILLERS > Sawdust

If it seems a bit presumptuous for the Killers to release a CD of B-sides and rarities after only two albums, remember who we’re dealing with here. After all, this is a band whose frontman, Brandon Flowers, rarely failed to bring up comparisons to Bruce Springsteen whenever he talked about 2006’s Sam’s Town. 

Videos by American Songwriter

Label: ISLAND
[Rating: 2.5] 

If it seems a bit presumptuous for the Killers to release a CD of B-sides and rarities after only two albums, remember who we’re dealing with here. After all, this is a band whose frontman, Brandon Flowers, rarely failed to bring up comparisons to Bruce Springsteen whenever he talked about 2006’s Sam’s Town. Nevermind that the Killers’ entire catalog contains approximately five good songs; Sawdust gathers 17 cuts that range from studio leftovers (“All the Pretty Faces,” “Under the Gun”) to droopy covers (Joy Division’s “Shadowplay,” Dire Straits’ “Romeo and Juliet”). And “Tranquilize,” a newly recorded duet with Lou Reed, overloads on pretension.