The new album from The Killers, Day & Age, is due to release toward the end of the month. It’s first single, “Human,” was released to both digital distributors as well as radio. In my opinion, the song wasn’t quite up to normal Killers par, but was substantial enough to keep my interest.

This past Tuesday, iTunes put Day & Age up for pre-order and offered an instant-gratification track called “Spaceman” to those who pre-ordered the album.

It’s just one of those songs where all you need is that 30 second preview to know that your ninety-nine cents is going to end up in good hands. Since I purchased the song last night, I’ve already listened to it eleven times. Make that twelve.

The song starts out with a short, synth buildup and opens up into an intro showered with “Oh-oh-oh”s and contagious drum beats. The lyrics are remnant of Sam’s Town- a little strange but somehow relatable and relevant. (”And you know I might’ve just flown too far from the floor this time / ‘Cause they’re calling me by my name.”) You begin to follow along with the moderately volumed verses, which then lead into what you THINK is the chorus, because it’s different, but way good.

But you are wrong. That’s not the chorus. Not yet.

“That was one lonely night!”

And then the drums roll, the synths briefly retract and come back in pouncing, caught up in the current of the pulsing, syncopated, catchy rush of a chorus, but then wind back out as if nothing happened.

After the second trip through the chorus stream, the music drops to choppy bass and heavy drums with eerie, spacey keyboard phrases. “They say the Nile used to run from east to west.”

Then, a quick transition over to Flowers on the piano, assuredly shouting out, “I’m fine!” But the flood of melody soon returns, and returns at its fullest point. Broad synth, extra vocals, assertive drums, emphasized melody, all swirling around, going higher and higher with each spin.

And then, a final resolve followed by a slow but certain fade. Once quiet again, the listener is left with a choice.

Again? Or many, many times again?

/ Posted: Nov 06, 2008
/ Written by: Matt S.
/ Category: News
/ Artist(s): The Killers