palewire / The Killers’ fussy new single. (Attn: Jacques Lu Cont)

The Killers’ fussy new single. (Attn: Jacques Lu Cont)

Clearly, Brandon Flowers has loosened up. Dropping the shield of affected irony clutched by so many American rock singers, The Killers’ frontman shows he’s found the courage to break ranks and—avert your eyes, indie fans—write a big, anthemic rock song.

“When You Were Young” (real player, windows media) opens with an obnoxious riff that would easily fit in on Coldplay’s X&Y, then goes on to unfurl a Springsteen-like narrative of young love (”We’re burning down the highway skyline”) that culimates in a surging chorus and, no joke, a “10th Avenue Freeze Out” style guitar breakdown.

I’m excited anytime I see a musician mature out of the neurotic constrictions of indie rock, but, epic as it may be, this new song isn’t totally doing it for me. I enjoy a few of the elements, but it’s lacking the tight arrangements required to make an arena-rock act work (ex. any U2 song). The patchwork of Springsteenarian cliches doesn’t coalesce into an affecting story. The percussion lacks the necessary drive. And the all-important rising tension, obviously meant to climax with the slow build into the final chorus, isn’t positioned to land with the necessary force.

Regardless, it’s still encouraging to hear a young rock band growing in this direction. Putting aside the relative merits of The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, The White Stripes or whoever else, most of the hit indie bands in recent years seem to have arrived already full-formed, oftentimes sounding more predictable than the mainstream acts they’re supposed to be outpacing. The fresh thing about The Killers is that they seem to possess at least some potential to push beyond what they already are. Here’s hoping they can do it. I’m rooting for them.

I’m also rooting for another keen Stuart Price remix in keeping with his take on “Mr. Brightside.” If anybody can weave this thing into gold, it’s our man Jacques Lu Cont. So, Stu, if you’re out there, I think this could really work. Rebuild the song about the big hook and the bouncing drums and brief guitar build around 1:30. Then stitch the percussion around 2:20 into a more conclusive climax. Maybe cut that Jesus line. And, really, while we’re at it, can you just talk these guys into making dance records? Life would be so much better for everybody.