The Killers Run For Their Lives and We Benefit

Las Vegas hometown heroes The Killers return with "Run For Cover" a glorious literary piece peppered with all sorts of cultural references meant to engage the heart and mind. The song opens with a gorgeous guitar/drum combo followed by Brandon Flowers hot vocals. Keyboard courtesy of Brandon Flowers provides sparkle for days. Dave Keuning adds spicy guitar licks which give the track substance and body. The reference to Sonny Liston makes for a nice nod to the heroes if sports past. Anybody around for Ali-Liston back in the day knows what I'm talking about. Halcyon memories galore. The drum beating from Ronnie Vanucci beats loud and clear with authority. Such verve cannot be denied. It stands out in a huge rock field. Much political content gussies up the first paragraph. The usual cheating heart frame of reference found in much political meet and greet. The conference with man and wife, where no one died though infidelities dotted the landscape. Verse three, otherwise known as the chorus has the hook needed to keep a song in the public conscience for a good long time. Just listen to the chorus "Run while you can, baby, don't look back. You gotta run for cover. Don't be afraid of the fear, that's a played out trap, man. You know you're not the only one, and don't look back, just run for cover. It is what we must all do at some time or another. Leave the past where it belongs, embrace what's in front of you. Don't succumb to the pain. Just get on with the business of living. Don't wait for a kiss or apology to get moving. And remember it's hard to pack the car when all you do is shame us it's even harder when the dirtbag's famous. Real rock poetry writ large. Can't you smell the exhaust fumes? I know I can. "Run For Cover" ranks up there as some of the hottest work they've done. True troubadour stuff with The Killers trademark harmonies which are tight as a rolled up wad of dollar bills. Brandon Flowers knows how to create a real lid lifter which he's done in spades. The bravado never fails to illuminate, excite, and enrich. Brandon knows his way around the rock terrain and for the past decade he's honed his craft very well and it shows. His pipes are in fine fettle. The Killers are in fine form throughout "Run For Cover". As a unit they give it their all and it shows. Three cheers for what they've accomplished. They've done their hometown proud.

Foster The People Deliver The Mood In Spades

Foster The People, the band behind "Pumped Up Kicks" is back with a new album "Sacred Hearts Club" and a new single "Sit Next To Me" which hearkens back to the blue-eyed soul Hall & Oates were known for in the '80s, the kind of sound that just screams "Afterglow". "Sit Next To Me" has the aura of something Peter Pan's pal Tinker Bell would've sprinkled across the scene, airy and whimsical. Vocalist Mark Foster possesses the swagger of a battle tested Romeo who knows what he wants and how he wants to get it. He fades out the talkers cause all he wants is a certain female after last call commences. The vultures are circling but that doesn't deter him. He wants to see where things go naturally (wink, wink). The keyboard fills here are nothing short of stupendous. I really can visualize the martini, shaken not stirred. The lead-in to a bedroom romp sounds like a natural progression to me. Drummer Isom Innis puts some bounce into the proceedings with mellow percussion that crooks a finger and adds a come hither attitude to the whole affair. Mark Pontius throws in some special seasoning on percussion himself. Meanwhile guitarist Sean Cimino scatters flash into the mix and does so with generous aplomb. On the whole "Sit Next To Me" is easily digestible, and in a different way from "Pumped Up Kicks". It's perfect as a way to break the ice when the night is just getting started and even better when cocktail hour has long passed. It's a testament to Foster The People's talent they can make accessible pop songs using two different sets of chord progressions. It really makes them versatile on that score. Bland is in no way beautiful. Foster The People deserves the nod for making sure the cookie cutter tunes of the day aren't uniformly claiming the lion's share of the attention. Radio's in free fall so Foster The People's timing couldn't be any better. From a lyrical standpoint the best of the lot happens to be "I'm pouring out the truth" Truth is something we all have to find for ourselves in this life. Not that you'd expect to get that from Foster The People but the thought's appealing. They've got quite a good track record going for the prospect of career longevity at the rate the boys are going. May we be lucky enough to stick around long enough to see the complete catalog in all its glory.

Imagine Dragons Definitely Have What It Takes

Las Vegas pride and joy Imagine Dragons put together a fine mesh of sound for "Whatever It Takes". Ben McKee's keyboard is swoon worthy and represents the heart and soul of what makes this song a winner. The video's underwater sequence leaves me nothing short of amazed. It's as if you'd drifted away to another dimension entirely yet primed to get stuff done. Lyrically lead vocalist Dan Reynolds weaves an incredible narrative that has definite hip-hop sensibilities. Just try to keep up if you can. You'll find yourself dizzy over lines like "Everybody circling, it's vulturous. Negative, nepotist. Or even "Whip, whip, run me like a racehorse, pull me like a ripcord, two different viewpoints of the same person, one is fast, the other mired in urgency, both equally entrancing. Ben knows his wordplay and is unafraid to unfurl it from every conceivable angle. He's juiced up and ready to make his mark in the world. Daniel Platzman makes his drums count each time he bashes the skins. It's controlled burning but a burn all the same. Over on lead guitar Wayne Sermon lays down an irresistible groove that mere mortals cringe at the sound of. Overall solid work from a guy who has paid his dues to be sure. Meanwhile bass player Ben McKee gives 110 percent and it shows. Real meat on those bones. As a unit Imagine Dragons has been on fire since the days of "Radioactive" and show no sign of slowing down for any reason. That's great because the boys just click. The boys know what works on an arena rock level and then let the masses in on the party they're throwing. "Whatever It Takes" shows the huge potential they have for a sustained career. They know what the audience wants and then gives it to them with gusto. Of course "Radioactive" put them on the map with its barnstorming approach and end of times urgency. "Whatever It Takes" meanwhile has a stripped down approach that lets the solid musicianship shine through. Each member plays out his role to perfection and the results are stunning. Imagine Dragons, like the city it hails from knows how to get attention and serves as a welcome distraction from tragic events like the concert massacre that cut so many productive lives short. In many aspects of life we need that distraction now more than ever.