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Brandon Flowers' solo debut, 2010's Flamingo, seemed to make the case that the line between a Killers album and a Flowers album was blurry at best. Largely a continuation of the anthemic Springsteen-influenced sound of the Killers' 2006 effort Sam's Town, Flamingo also revealed Flowers' inclination toward glossy, synth-heavy, '80s adult-contemporary productions. For his sophomore solo outing, 2015's The Desired Effect, the line between the man and his band begins to sharpen. Produced by Ariel Rechtshaid (Madonna, Vampire Weekend, HAIM), the album finally finds Flowers achieving an unmistakable sound of his own, with the kind of effortless sophistication that a seasoned musician hopes for. Flowers long ago expanded his musical palette from the Killers' early, Duran Duran-influenced brand of dance-rock, but he's also become much more adept at combining his disparate musical influences and poetic narratives into a cohesive, emotionally resonant approach to expansive pop songwriting. As always, these are catchy, synth heavy songs punctuated by twangy guitar lines and Flowers' trademark lyrical themes, including: emotional turning points in long term relationships, lost souls seeking redemption, and of course, his childhood growing up in Vegas—which is particularly evident on the fittingly titled "Way It's Always Been." He sings, "They shut down the Golden Sahara Hotel/ Jessica says it won't be long til they blow it all to hell/ She's standing in the front yard, cut-offs and skin/ Me and her brother we been friends, since I can't remember when/ Ain't that the way that it's always been?/ Everybody sitting 'round waiting for the son to come again." Elsewhere, Flowers launches into an '80s take on Spector-style wall-of-synth-sound on "Dreams Come True," and mashes up John Fogerty, ELO and Dire Straits on the Roy Orbison-style rock & roll number "Digging Up the Heart." The genius thing about all this is that Flowers doesn't steal Jeff Lynne's hooks or ape Mark Knopfler's guitar sound (well, not exactly), he just imbues his productions with a distinct level of tangible homage. In fact, he's so specific in his aural fixations that you can almost pick out the songs he was listening to when working on a given track. On "Can't Deny My Love," you can almost picture him starting out with the Latin synth-percussion from Madonna's "La Isla Bonita," then bringing in the brittle guitar of Bryan Ferry's "Don't Stop the Dance," before finally punching up the transitions with the percussive synth beats from Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance." And this isn't meant to make Flowers sound derivative. On the contrary, these points of inspiration exist in a sea of original material. Flowers even brings on board a handful of special guests, like Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant, on the Giorgio Moroder-esque disco tune "I Can Change," and Bruce Hornsby on the earnest ballad "Between Me and You." These choices work to underline the stylistic touchstones on the album. They also undercut any accusations of derivativeness by openly acknowledging his progenitors. And in the end, we're lucky he was so inspired by them, if the result is an album this solid.
© Matt Collar /TiVo
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Carlos Alomar, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joey Waronker, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALAN MOULDER, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Breunig, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Caesar Edmunds, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Moonlight Tran, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Angel Deradoorian, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ethan Farmer, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Joey Waronker, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALAN MOULDER, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Greg Leisz, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynn Mabry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sheree Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tommy King, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Caesar Edmunds, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Darren Beckett, ComposerLyricist - Jackie Gouche, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Angel Deradoorian, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Akasha Mabry Hendrix, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Lawrence Cole, ComposerLyricist - Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sebastian Ingrosso, ComposerLyricist - TONY MASERATI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - NEIL TENNANT, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - James Somerville, ComposerLyricist - Steven Bronski, ComposerLyricist - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Manning Jr., Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ted Sablay, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Axel Hedfors, ComposerLyricist - Matt Breunig, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tyler Scott, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nate Donmoyer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Danielle Withers, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Erica Canales, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Joey Waronker, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Blanton, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Darren Beckett, Vibraphone, AssociatedPerformer - Angel Deradoorian, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jamie Muhoberac, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Joey Waronker, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Benji Lysaght, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - KEVIN KILLEN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - BRUCE HORNSBY, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Levin, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Manning Jr., Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jason Hill, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy King, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angel Deradoorian, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Dave Fridmann, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Hardt, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Francisco Torres, Trombone, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Leisz, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ron Blake, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Lynn Mabry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sheree Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, String Arranger, Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Manning Jr., Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Danielle Haim, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Driskill, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Fridmann, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Gouche, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Akasha Mabry Hendrix, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Rich, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Isaac Tubb, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Giraldo, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Robert Hardt, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Joey Waronker, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALAN MOULDER, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Blanton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Caesar Edmunds, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Driskill, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Angel Deradoorian, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ethan Farmer, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALAN MOULDER, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - BRUCE HORNSBY, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - KENNY ARONOFF, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lynn Mabry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sheree Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Taylor Goldsmith, ComposerLyricist - Conor Oberst, ComposerLyricist - Roger Manning Jr., Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy King, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Breunig, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Caesar Edmunds, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Gouche, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Christopher Cerullo, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Akasha Mabry Hendrix, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Spiker, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - ALAN MOULDER, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Harris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ariel Rechtshaid, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Rick Nowels, Piano, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nick Rowe, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Flowers, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ronnie Vannucci, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Root, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ted Sablay, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jake Blanton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Breunig, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Caesar Edmunds, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Moonlight Tran, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - John DeBold, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Benji Lysaght, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Price, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ariel Rechtshaid, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Brandon Flowers, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Robert Root, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jake Blanton, Hammond B3, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Breunig, Guitar, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Darren Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Moonlight Tran, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Rich, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Isaac Tubb, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Lauren Cordell, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
Brandon Flowers' solo debut, 2010's Flamingo, seemed to make the case that the line between a Killers album and a Flowers album was blurry at best. Largely a continuation of the anthemic Springsteen-influenced sound of the Killers' 2006 effort Sam's Town, Flamingo also revealed Flowers' inclination toward glossy, synth-heavy, '80s adult-contemporary productions. For his sophomore solo outing, 2015's The Desired Effect, the line between the man and his band begins to sharpen. Produced by Ariel Rechtshaid (Madonna, Vampire Weekend, HAIM), the album finally finds Flowers achieving an unmistakable sound of his own, with the kind of effortless sophistication that a seasoned musician hopes for. Flowers long ago expanded his musical palette from the Killers' early, Duran Duran-influenced brand of dance-rock, but he's also become much more adept at combining his disparate musical influences and poetic narratives into a cohesive, emotionally resonant approach to expansive pop songwriting. As always, these are catchy, synth heavy songs punctuated by twangy guitar lines and Flowers' trademark lyrical themes, including: emotional turning points in long term relationships, lost souls seeking redemption, and of course, his childhood growing up in Vegas—which is particularly evident on the fittingly titled "Way It's Always Been." He sings, "They shut down the Golden Sahara Hotel/ Jessica says it won't be long til they blow it all to hell/ She's standing in the front yard, cut-offs and skin/ Me and her brother we been friends, since I can't remember when/ Ain't that the way that it's always been?/ Everybody sitting 'round waiting for the son to come again." Elsewhere, Flowers launches into an '80s take on Spector-style wall-of-synth-sound on "Dreams Come True," and mashes up John Fogerty, ELO and Dire Straits on the Roy Orbison-style rock & roll number "Digging Up the Heart." The genius thing about all this is that Flowers doesn't steal Jeff Lynne's hooks or ape Mark Knopfler's guitar sound (well, not exactly), he just imbues his productions with a distinct level of tangible homage. In fact, he's so specific in his aural fixations that you can almost pick out the songs he was listening to when working on a given track. On "Can't Deny My Love," you can almost picture him starting out with the Latin synth-percussion from Madonna's "La Isla Bonita," then bringing in the brittle guitar of Bryan Ferry's "Don't Stop the Dance," before finally punching up the transitions with the percussive synth beats from Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance." And this isn't meant to make Flowers sound derivative. On the contrary, these points of inspiration exist in a sea of original material. Flowers even brings on board a handful of special guests, like Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant, on the Giorgio Moroder-esque disco tune "I Can Change," and Bruce Hornsby on the earnest ballad "Between Me and You." These choices work to underline the stylistic touchstones on the album. They also undercut any accusations of derivativeness by openly acknowledging his progenitors. And in the end, we're lucky he was so inspired by them, if the result is an album this solid.
© Matt Collar /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:03
- Main artists: Brandon Flowers
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Island Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2015 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
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