Review: Dustland- The Killers, Featuring Bruce Springsteen
- by Rob Costa
- in Reviews
The boss and killers unite. Sounds like a plot for a new Mob film, but it aint!
An eerie violin sets the scene for this collaboration. The violinist holds one note down for what seems like eternity, and in the process helps build anticipation.
Brandon Flowers’ phrasing in the intro, kind of mimics the phrasing akin to the Boss, and in return some of Bruce’s phrasing mimics Brandon’s. Whether this was done intentionally, or happens to be a by-product of working together in a creative endeavour, we don’t know, but what we do know is that, it sounds great.
Throughout the verse we can hear the band building its trademark “Killers” guitar fills. Onto the extended chorus, and we have the whole band and the Boss united in a full throttle sound. Strings introduced into the mix add some nice texture to the overall sound.
In the last part of the song, it quietens right down, and only the guitar remains until the end. The feeling created resembles that of the intro, it’s a poignant way to bring the story to a close.
Lyrically the song represents a tale of broken dreams, which is accentuated with references to; Cinderella, drawbridges, kingdoms, and castles in the sky.
Although this is a new release, the Killers originally recorded this song back in 2008, appearing on their album “Day & Age”. When we compare the two versions side by side, they sound almost identical musically. Notable differences include Brandon’s phrasing in the verse intro, especially when he sings the line” some kind of slick chrome American prince”, there’s a slight nod here to the Boss’s singing style. The Boss stamps his style on the track, which of course makes it sound different to the original.
Overall this is a cool collaboration, for me, its slightly underwhelming when you compare it to the original version, no disrespect to the Boss of course, it’s just my humble opinion. Even though it doesn’t stack up to the killers original version, it will surely be enjoyed by fans of the Killers and the Boss.
Two American rock icons uniting in full flight is always enjoyable to hear and see and gives all the fans a reason to rejoice.
