Product Description

Collection of B-sides and rarities from the Las Vegas indierock quartet The Killers. A compilation of tracks from soundtracks and single releases, as well as previously unreleased material from the 'Sam's Town' and 'Hot Fuss' sessions, this is an album that will please all those Killers completists out there. Includes the Joy Division cover 'Shadowplay'.

Track Listing

1. Tranquilize - The Killers, Lou Reed
2. Shadowplay
3. All The Pretty Faces
4. Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf
5. Sweet Talk
6. Under The Gun
7. Where The White Boys Dance
8. Show You How
9. Move Away
10. Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
11. Who Let You Go?
12. The Ballad of Michael Valentine
13. Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town
14. Daddy's Eyes
15. Sam's Town
16. Romeo And Juliet
17. Change Your Mind
18. Mr. Brightside / Questions With The Captain

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #310 in Music
• Released on: 2007-11-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 75 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Inspired by '90s b-side collections such as Oasis’ "The Masterplan" and Nirvana’s "Incesticide", trendy Las Vegas rockers The Killers have gone and cooked up their own rarities and b-sides collection: Sawdust. That the band have only released two albums to date should have been warning enough that they couldn’t possibly have enough solid material to fill such an album, though evidently not. The band certainly give the concept their best shot, gathering together some stimulating outtakes from 2004’s Hot Fuss and 2006’s Sam’s Town, a slew of b-sides and several unreleased songs. Of the latter, the opener "Tranquilize," which features rock icon Lou Reed on vocals, their tantalizing cover of Joy Division’s "Shadowplay" (recorded for Control, Anton Corbijn's biopic of Ian Curtis); and potent live fave "Leave Your Bourbon at the Door", are all major highlights. Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke remix of "Mr. Brightside", the Abbey Road version of "Sam's Town" and Hot Fuss offcut "Under the Gun" also hit the spot, but the rest of the album falls flat, with a collection of largely forgettable tracks. And what’s with the covers, guys? Was it really necessary to record versions of songs by the likes of Kenny Rogers ("Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town") and-–gasp!–-Dire Straits ("Romeo and Juliet")? A half-decent collection then, that would have doubtless benefited from a one or two-album delay. --Danny McKenna

Customer Reviews

It's b-sides and rarities - it says so on the cover!
This is a collection of b-sides and rarities - it says so on the cover, so don't expecting anything more (as some reviewers obviously have). As such, it is a fairly uneven collection, and some tracks are.. well... b-side standard. However, there are enough gems on here to justify buying the CD, such as covers of Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet" and Kenny Rogers' "Ruby" and a re-worked version of Sam's Town.

In short, if you are thinking of buying your first Killers CD, don't go for this one - go for Hot Fuss or Sam's Town - both excellent albums in my opinion. If you already have & enjoy those albums, you should enjoy this album, for the "gems" and to complete your Killers collection.

An interesting collection - some great tracks on here
Barcode: 0602517533745

I was fascinated by the prospect of this album, being a big fan of the Killers, i'm always intruiged to hear of new stuff from them. Sawdust is in essence a b-sides/rarities album and has a pretty wide mix of stuff from throughout the times of their first two albums. The album itself has got a great cover and there was even a special edition extra slipcase version which was available from HMV.

Perhaps the biggest draw is new single Tranquilize. This sees the band taking up a dramatically different sound. In contrast to the roaring upbeat anthems of their first two albums, this is more subtle, more creepy, but shines in its innovativity and the addition of Lou Reed's vocals only adds to its appeal.

Starting with a spooky atmospheric intro the song gradually builds, adding in stripped back acoustic guitar and Brandon's vocals. And when the chorus kicks in... just wow! "Silently reflection turns my world to stone' sings Brandon before a chilling children's choir part appears.

In essence, the song takes a handful of elements and masterfully weaves them together into a song that must struck a chord with the public because the track surged to number 13 on downloads alone.

Joy Divison cover, Shadowplay, is great too. All crisp drums and atmospheric synths, this is immesnely appealing. Another new track on here, Sweet Talk is another winner and is a natural progression from the sound of their first two albums. The rest of the album is mainly comprised of b-sides and are quite hit and miss, some good, some quite average. The album closer in the form of Stuart Price remixing Mr. Brightside is well worth checking out.

My favourite track though has to be All The Pretty faces though. Originally appearing on the 'When You Were Young' single, this is in my opinion one of the Killers finest songs featuring a great guitar hook as well as some of the best vocals and lyrics Brandon has ever come up with. This is the band at their stunning best.

So, on the whole, Sawdust as a compilation works pretty well and it is a fantastic opportunity for the band to showcase tracks that might not otherwise have been heard by many people. A great way to tide us fans over till the next album too!

Sawdust full of artistic possibilities....
Sawdust is pretty good for a b-sides compilation. It's interesting that a collection of b-sides, rare releases, and covers could really be so entertaining. But the record stands pretty solid. I especially like Tranquilize, the duet with Lou Reed. It shows the depth and the range of the Killers and it also gives an idea about a possible new artistic direction. While Tranquilize is dark, the song Sweet Talk is bright and full of hope and reminds of of how masterful the Killers can be when it comes to lyrics and finding the perfect balance between a good hook and fine vocals. I would say the band is better now than they were were 3 years ago, and better than they were when they initially released Sam's Town. In short, The Killers just keep getting better over time....and if you see them live, you would understand fully what I mean.

There is really only one song that I didn't quite care for and maybe because the original is always just so hard to beat-- for me here, the unnecessary, and drab, slow version of Mr. Brightside, wasn't the best choice to end the record with. But then again, the hidden track, The Captain's theme, makes up for what the re-mix of Mr. Brightside didn't give me.

The Killers also prove that they are truly talented as they produce fine covers of 'Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town' and 'Shadowplay'. Many have mixed feelings on the cover of Shadowplay, but ultimately, I think the Killers do a fine job with keeping a dark element alive to the song, while providing what is clearly their own trademark style and song. They also offer up a lovely version of Dire Staits' 'Romeo & Juliet', it's like a chord for chord re-do, but lovely none-the-less.

The Killers are often criticized for taking risks with their sound, but in the long run, the bands that take the risks are the ones that keep most people interested, and who have longevity in the industry.

Hot Fuss, was too dancy for some, then with Sam's Town, it was too rock and not dancy enough, now with Sawdust, there are those who say the band is out to make a dollar by releasing the compliation, but there is very little filler here, and some of the songs sound so good that I wonder how they got cut in the first place. Over-all though, The Killers have done something that isn't unique or novel in releasing a b-sides so early in their careers. They aren't the first band to do, and I'm certain they won't be the last. The question is, will the others who do so be able to display such a range in their musicianship as well as their creativity?

I think The Killers for all their critics and fair-weather fans, have pretty much weathered the storm. I look forward to their next full length lp-- no matter the direction that their artistic and creative desires might take them.

In short, Sawdust-- a MUST have for die-hard Killers' fans and the new Killers' fans alike. It's a nice treat while we wait for the band's next big outing.