The Theory of Integrity

When one sets out to write the next great American novel, the most influential album of the century or become the most radical artist of the past twenty years, ambition takes hold and disappointment soon follows. Then there are those who make their mark and are compared to those who have changed the world forever, and many times join those ranks. These people succeed because this was never their sole purpose, only a result of an unassuming attempt. Not all efforts lead to the golden road of succe

ss but the pretentious ones will never find their pot of gold because they were searching for it from day one. They disregard the fact that you can’t create something extraordinary when you loose your integrity along the way or never had it in the first place.

So of whom am I speaking of? In this oversaturated materialistic world we live in, unfortunately most everyone but for now I would like to focus on a few that make this decree a rule in music. The Killers, Sam’s Town is “one of the best albums in the past 20 years". If only someone other than Brandon Flowers had said this they might not fall into my law of egotism. Unfortunately, Flowers was quoted saying this while still recording the record. Sam’s Town is definitely an attempt at greatness but the blatant goal of being the next Pink Floyd is more apparent than their talent in the 12 tracks that litter the polycarbonate plastic it resides in.

So what was running through Flowers mind as he crafted the imagery of cliché archetypes, religious references and imitated personas? When one tries too hard it becomes blatant in what they create. After a few times through Sam’s Town it becomes sadly apparent that while writing the album Flowers was not only listening to Springsteen, he was studying it. When Springsteen recorded Nebraska in his room on a four track player I doubt his ambitions took over as The Killers did. This unpretentious effort is what allowed Springsteen to create musical masterpieces. Hot Fuss came out of nowhere and although it wasn’t an album to remember for centuries, it introduced a few well crafted pop songs. Whether Mr. Brightside was a fluke or someone in that band happens to be a genius is not the issue at hand. The fact is the band still had the opportunity to make a decent follow up but their success from their debut overshadowed any integrity they at one time possessed. Unless a miracle occurs I predict their third album will be the beginning of the end and they will soon fall into oblivion.

Now to those who achieve greatness while exerting humbleness. Arcade Fire’s most recent creation, Neon Bible exemplifies this fact. The record showcases a darker side while every song has a strong driving force behind it that emits a certain feeling to the listener, reminiscent of Born to Run. Already many people have compared Neon Bible to Springsteen and the similarities are clear. However, they are in no way carbon copies of each

other, but each reflecting the same key elements that create these amazing records. Neon Bible doesn’t make me think that Arcade Fire set out to write the next Born to Run, where Sam’s Town does just that. Neon Bible has already surpassed my expectations and has forced me to throw it on repeat. It’s not just the power of the album but the overall feeling I get from the band that are just trying to make good music and won’t let fame, hype or ambition cloud that purpose.

By the time Arcade Fire releases their third album, Brandon Flowers will meticulously be listening to Queen, Zeppelin or even Funeral trying to scrape together some sort of sound he can pass off as original and epic, still in an attempt to make the next best album of the century. Unfortunately for him ambition fueled by arrogance will only lead to a very public failure.

The Horror! The Horror!

I know this may sound conceited but they are out to get me. Brandon knew that there were few other things in life that could piss me off more than a Killers cover of Joy Division, especially in a movie about Ian Curtis. He is turning over in his grave. The majority of the soundtrack is done by New Order so of all the other bands in the world to add to this compilation, why The Killers?

Well if you are wondering why this is I have the answer or a portion of it. The film titled, “Control” and based on Ian’s wife Deborah’s book is being directed by Anton Corbijn who is no idiot. He is a famous photographer and music video director. You probably know him from the U2 Joshua Tree cover seen above. He has directed music videos such as the very disturbing Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana, pretty much every Depeche Mode video, and of course The Killers “All These Things I’ve Done.”

Anton Corbijn has an amazing portfolio; he has had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and interesting artists of the past 20 years but I am not sure how The Killers fit into this. Of course any photographer/director is going to work with artists that aren’t so great but why would you choose the Killers to cover Joy Division, who is supposedly one of Corbijn’s favorite artists. It seems that he has close relationships with U2, Depeche Mode, even Morrissey and yet he asks the Killers to contribute to this film. All I can imagine is that he wanted the press, or lost his musical ear sometime after Curtis’ death.

Then again maybe I am being too harsh. This guy has obviously put his all into this film along with Deborah Curtis and I am just bitching about a soundtrack. So many bands that I love have been deeply influenced by Joy Division and I am sure that they effected The Killers along the way also. If I was making this film of course they would be excluded but considering the amazing body of work that Corbijn has created along the way I will have to wait to see the movie before I make any final conclusions on its integrity.

As for The Killers, I can confidently lift my middle finger and ask “how could you?”

An Open Letter To Brandon Flowers

Brandon, I know your eyeliner is running, your heart is breaking and your beautiful dreams of becoming the next David Bowie are shattering. But yes you are second best, there is no more Hot Fuss, no more 40 year old women singing along to Mr. Brightside in their oversized Expeditions. You now officially suck, and no longer to just the intelligent people but to all of those who are even mentally capable enough to walk into a Best Buy and purchase a CD. You know why Brandon? Because people rather listen to a goth chick in a black dress than your Cheech and Chong meet Romeo and Juliet in a hurricane on the skyline.

Of course many of you are still thinking, “but they are still number two.” Yes they are but something tells me that isn’t enough for little Mr.Flowers and its a sign of the times. The same sign that tells me no one will know who Panic! at the Disco is in five years. A few years ago the Killers had a brilliant idea of taking a bunch of catchy 80’s rifs and creating an album. This time it didn’t work. This time they just went too far. The over the top video, the molester mustache and the obvious Coldplay ripoff only went so far and now there they are sitting in number two.

Don’t get me wrong there will always be something that just hits you when you listen to a Killers song. They grab you, pull you in and put you in that place you want to be. However it isn’t because they have created a unique sound that you can’t get away from or because technically they can blow any other band out of the water. Its because they are smart and they ripped something off before anyone else did. But now the rest of the music world has caught up with them and the catchy hooks will no longer make up for the shitty stage show where fans suddenly realize Brandon Flowers can’t sing or perform. Now the general CD buying public rather listen to a goth girl with a good voice, then some made up ass hole with a bad mustache.

But life goes on Brandon and as so many artists have done before, you must reinvent yourself. Personally I think I would stray from the 80’s and maybe go way back to teen idol pop from the 50’s. There is nothing the world needs more than the next Frankie Valley. Shave off that mustache and throw on that cardigan and start over. It’s never too late. Not even the day after your second album debuts at number 2. Now is a good a time as any!