The Dive: The Killers

It's been a big year in comebacks. LCD Soundsystem came out of retirement and danced themselves clean to their first #1 album with American Dream. Gorillaz re-animated themselves, releasing Humanz, their first new album in 7 years. And Liam Gallagher has somehow gotten his life together, gearing up for the release of his new album, As You Were. OK...it's not exactly Oasis getting back together...that will never happen. But 1 out of 2 Gallagher brothers isn't bad. <br /> <br />But no comeback in rock is as big as The Killers, as they prepare to unleash their first new album in 5 years. From the moment they burst onto the scene in the early aughts, Brandon Flowers and company always seemed miles ahead of bands like The Strokes, Bloc Party, and Interpol. The Killers have always felt like they were just on the cusp of being one of the biggest bands in the world. 15 years into their career, the band's new album Wonderful Wonderful might be the one that finally puts the band over the top. <br /> <br />Wonderful Wonderful was recorded at the band's home studio in Las Vegas as well as in LA with producer Jacknife Lee. In a recent interview with WKQX in Chicago, Flowers admitted he was having a hard time placing himself in rock's storied linage. "I was struggling with writing the record and figuring out what direction I was going to go," he said. "What path we're going to take. A lot of weight started to come down on me because I was thinking about all of the great stuff that has already occurred in popular music and rock and roll. And it's a lot to take on to think that you're going to try and add to it or even think that you belong there". <br /> <br />While we'll want to wait a few years to see how Wonderful Wonderful settles into the pantheon of rock, there is no doubt the band belong there. This is an album that dazzles like all those millions of light bulbs on the Las Vegas strip. There seriously isn't a bad song on the album, with references points like Springsteen, U2, and Fleetwood Mac. The Killers aren't afraid to punch above their own weight, though that doesn't mean they're comfortable with it. On the song "Out Of My Mind", after referencing Paul McCartney, Flowers jokes, "that's a heavy name to drop". <br /> <br />The band has had a busy summer, surprising fans at Glastonbury and playing a huge show in London. Today they officially let Wonderful Wonderful out into the world, which we just reviewed. The band is also about to embark on their first full tour since 2013 this Fall and Winter.