First of all, before I start this review, I would just like to take this opportunity to announce that I’ll be leaving EnterTheShell.com. There’s no animosity between any of us so don’t go thinking that Mailo bitch-slapped me behind the scenes! It’s just simply one of those situations when one person needs to part ways with something to find her own way. I’ve got nothing but endless love for this website, but you will hear more later. My final blog will be on Jan. 3 when I unveil my list of Best Albums of 2010! Now, on to the review.
I have to admit, after The Killers’ debut album Hot Fuss, I stopped paying attention to the band. It’s over-produced pop totally got me hooked as it did the rest of the country, with singles like “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr. Brightside.”
When their follow-up, Sam’s Town, came out, it was spearheaded by the single “When You Were Young.” It still had that Killers appeal but lead singer Brandon Flowers’ voice was more stripped down and probably messed with a lot less than in Hot Fuss. A lot more shaky (a vocal characteristic I hate), Flowers’ voice was a total turn-off and I completely turned off to anything they put out after that.
With the debut of Flowers’ solo album Flamingo, I still figured his voice would have that same shaky effect, but I was still curious to see what he had to offer. The result is a country-tinged singer/songwriter-y disc.
The album opens up (slowly) with “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.” Flowers and The Killers are based out of Vegas so this can be seen as a sort of anthem for him. What you also hear in “Welcome” is the gospel and country influences are a lot more prominent. The song builds up to be pretty epic, thanks to the chorus which features giant drums and strings: “Welcome to fabulous, welcome to fabulous Las Vegas/Give us your dreamers, your harlots and your sins/Las Vegas/Didn’t nobody tell you, the house will always win?”
Though Spin Magazine named Flowers’ tour as one of The 25 Best Fall Tours, he still hasn’t won me over. His voice has a Willie Nelson appeal to it which works on Willie Nelson, but that’s about the only time I can handle it and barely so then. Flamingo itself is not really anything to write home about but if you’re fan of the man, you’ll give it a listen in support of Flowers. It’s not horrible, it’s not great and it’s also not special.
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