The Killers - Pressure Machine
Alternative – Released August 13, 2021 – 12 songs, 55 mins
*****BUZZ PICK*****
REID
Brandon Flowers and his crew, The Killers, are back with Pressure Machine. It’s their fifth release since Sam’s Town (2006), the last I listened to with regularity. Before that was Hot Fuss, which I still throw on. Great album. Their name continues popping up on festival lists annually and although I’ve never seen them, I hear they’re great and think they’d make for a fun 90 minutes.
Pressure Machine was written by Brandon about his experience growing up in the small town of Nephi, Utah. All but two songs are preceded by a short clip of residents speaking on a range of topics from children playing on quads to train deaths to opioid addiction. Consequently it’s a listening experience with light and dark undertones. Highs and lows. From a review standpoint, that’s right where it lands for me. We have the good in Quiet Town, Sleepwalker and Runaway Horses. And the bad with Terrible Thing, Cody, Desperate Things and a few others. To no one’s surprise, Flowers is great on the mic but at times, the lyrics and music do not compliment one another well. On top of that, an 11 song, 51-minute album means a 4.5 minute song average and I feel it. Songs drag on, even with the 30-second interviews. Longer songs are fine but it goes without saying, you need to keep the listener engaged. Less would’ve been more.
I’m willing to bet this was a fulfilling experience for Brandon. The folks from the Beehive State will be able to tell stories of the kid that made it. Those on the album can show their friends and family of their part in this album for years. I encourage followers to give it a shot but the documentary-esque Pressure Machine won’t frequent this guy’s playlist often.
Overall Rating: 6.4/10
Favourite Song: Sleepwalker
ROZ
The Killers latest effort, Pressure Machine, is an introspective look at The Killers lead singer, Brandon Flowers, personal upbringing in the rural nowhere-land of Nephi, Utah. A concept album; Flowers goes in-depth about the trials and tribulations of the small town trap. We all know people from our past that fit this mold, big aspirations that slowly fade into complacence about their situation.
Most songs begin with a taping of an interview of a local resident, usually explaining their day-to-day life and giving you a glimpse of what Flowers is attempting to display. Opioid addiction is peppered throughout the album, as well as insights on the mundane experiences of each individual; Quiet Town touches on people who were killed by a train (a true story I found out), Runaway Horses goes into depth about a stampede horse injuring itself and eventually getting put down, In Another Life talks of the drug use and addictions within the town - every story seems personal and reflective of the community Flowers was brought up in.
Now I know this is a concept album so it’s serving a higher (or at least more personal) purpose, but I definitely disliked more songs than I liked. Pressure Machine, the titular track, turned out to be my favorite. Runaway Horses was another standout, succeeding in its effort to weave heavy lyrical content with catchy acoustics. My biggest gripe was the underutilization of Phoebe Bridgers, who could have turned a good song into a great one if given the chance.
Pressure Machine is a heavy listening experience that’s bound to leave an effect on its listeners. However, from a purely musical standpoint it leaves much to be desired. More of a social commentary and personal anecdote from Flowers, it’s a commendable effort but ultimately a forgettable experience.
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Favourite Song: Pressure Machine
LUNDI
Is there a more polarizing band than The Killers? Their hits are immaculate to the point they’ve created multiple generational hits across their discography but their flops are just unlistenable. I’m not sure they’ve ever made a middle of the road album and that trend continues with Pressure Machine.
Written as an homage to the Utah town Brandon Flowers grew up in, Pressure Machine is filled with anecdotes about a life very few listeners would know and the writing itself isn’t vivid enough to draw anyone into the stories. Flowers can carry a tune with his unique voice but The Killers haven’t done themselves any favours with this album.
Maybe PM requires you to fully understand small town America as the local feeling is too hard to overcome for the average listener. It’s honest and raw, but the overt focus on religion makes this piece drag.
The concept album is no doubt deeply emotional to Flowers and to him I’m sure this is an extremely personal piece but from the outside looking in it feels like the band has nothing meaningful left to add. Simply feels as they are going through the motions.
The Killers appear on the trajectory of making music for the sake of it with sights set on that greatest hits money. 20 years and 7 albums will do that to any band. Here’s hoping they find a spark somewhere down the line.
Overall Rating: 5.1/10
Favorite Song: In the Car Outside