Sam's Town

This article is about the album by The Killers. For the casinos, see Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall (disambiguation).
Sam's Town
Studio album by The Killers
Released October 2, 2006 (2006-10-02)
Recorded February–June 2006
Studio
Genre
Length 44:14
Label Island
Producer
The Killers chronology
Hot Fuss
(2004)		 Sam's Town
(2006)		 Sawdust
(2007)
Singles from Sam's Town
  1. "When You Were Young"
    Released: September 18, 2006
  2. "Bones"
    Released: November 27, 2006
  3. "Read My Mind"
    Released: February 13, 2007
  4. "For Reasons Unknown"
    Released: June 25, 2007

Sam's Town is the second studio album by American rock band The Killers, released on October 2, 2006 in the United Kingdom and the following day in the United States. Regarding the album, vocalist and primary lyricist Brandon Flowers noted that he "wanted to create an album that captured, chronologically, everything important that got me to where I am today".[2] Sam's Town has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide.

On October 7, 2016, Sam's Town was reissued as a remastered double vinyl by Bong Load Records, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the album. The reissue is limited to 5,016 copies and includes two bonus tracks—the previously unreleased demo "Peace of Mind" and a "Pet Shop Boys Stars Are Blazing Mix" of "Read My Mind".[3][4]

Background

The album takes its name from Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, a hotel and casino in Las Vegas, the band's hometown. It is also a local nickname for Las Vegas. Sam's Town was also a huge sign that was visible by band member Mark Stoermer through his room window when he was young.

Artwork

According to photographer Anton Corbijn, the band initially wanted a "chic, gypsy look", for the album, and that "out of those discussions [for the sleeve] came these elements of faded glory."[5] The album's co-producer, Flood, is dressed as a Native American in the CD booklet. The artwork inside the album booklet is taken from a Downtown Las Vegas mural painted by Suzanne Hackett-Morgan, a local painter. The cover artwork of Sam's Town features model and singer Felice LaZae.[6]

Production

The album is said to be influenced by the works of U2, Duran Duran, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Electric Light Orchestra, and Dire Straits, among others.[7][8] In the October 2006 issue of Giant magazine, Flowers was quoted as saying that Sam's Town would be "one of the best albums in the past twenty years",[9] and in Entertainment Weekly he remarked that it would be "the album that keeps rock & roll afloat."

Flowers later said of production techniques used on the record, "We didn't use too many vocal effects. On the first album, we used auto-tune, and I didn't even realize what was going on with these machines and the computer. I was adamant about not using it this time. You really hear what my voice sounds like, for the first time."[10]

The Killers dropped a controversial song about murdered schoolgirl Jodi Jones from the album. Flowers wrote "Where Is She?" after watching a TV news report about the 14-year old's murder when on tour in Scotland."[11]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic64/100[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
The A.V. ClubB−[14]
Blender[15]
Entertainment WeeklyC[16]
The Guardian[17]
NME8/10[18]
Pitchfork5.9/10[19]
Q[20]
Rolling Stone[21]
Spin[22]

Sam's Town debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 315,000 copies in its first week.[23] It became the band's second number-one album on the UK Albums Chart, selling 268,946 copies in its first week.[24] The album has been certified platinum or multi-platinum in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. Sam's Town also produced multiple charting singles including the platinum chart-topping single "When You Were Young". As of April 2011, Sam's Town had sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide.[25]

Despite being panned by Rolling Stone with a two-star rating, in December 2009 Sam's Town was voted by the magazine's readers as the most underrated album of the decade.[26] Q magazine ranked it as the 11th best album of the decade.[27]

Tour

Main article: Sam's Town Tour

Christian Hoard, with Rolling Stone magazine, gave The Killers' seminal concert at Madison Square Gardens three-and-a-half stars, saying "The Vegas quartet's maligned new album, Sam's Town, might pack more unfortunate big-rock bombast than its new wave debut, Hot Fuss, but it shares a generous hook quotient and a Vegas-y talent for crowd-pleasing. Before a frothy crowd, the Killers proved they've become a tight live band."[28]

Track listing

All songs produced by Flood, Alan Moulder and The Killers.

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Sam's Town"  Brandon Flowers 4:05
2. "Enterlude"    0:49
3. "When You Were Young"  
 3:39
4. "Bling (Confession of a King)"  
  • Flowers
  • Stoermer
 4:08
5. "For Reasons Unknown"  Flowers 3:32
6. "Read My Mind"  
  • Flowers
  • Keuning
  • Stoermer
 4:06
7. "Uncle Jonny"  
  • Flowers
  • Keuning
  • Stoermer
 4:25
8. "Bones"  
  • Flowers
  • Stoermer
  • Vannucci
 3:46
9. "My List"  Flowers 4:08
10. "This River Is Wild"  
  • Flowers
  • Stoermer
 4:38
11. "Why Do I Keep Counting?"  Flowers 4:23
12. "Exitlude"    2:24


Personnel

The Killers
Additional musicians
  • Adrina Hanson – strings
  • Maryam Haddad – strings
  • Tristan Moyer – strings
  • Tommy Marth – saxophone
  • Neeraj Khajanchi – trombone
  • Jake - keyboards, trumpet
  • Corlene Byrd – background vocals
  • Louis XIV – background vocals
  • Ted Sablay – additional musician on tour playing keyboards and guitar
Production
  • Max Dingel – engineering
  • Flood – production, engineering, mixing
  • Mark Gray – engineering
  • Alan Moulder – production, engineering, mixing
  • Paul Resta – marketing
  • Robert Reynolds – management
  • Andy Savours – mixing
  • Howie Weinberg – mastering
Design
  • Andy West – art direction, design
  • Suzanne Hackett Morgan – painting
  • Anton Corbijn – photography
  • Doug Joswick – package production

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[29] 2
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[30] 5
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[31] 13
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[32] 19
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[33] 1
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[34] 17
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[35] 14
European Albums (Billboard)[36] 2
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[37] 20
French Albums (SNEP)[38] 30
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] 6
Greek Albums (IFPI)[40] 14
Irish Albums (IRMA)[41] 1
Italian Albums (FIMI)[42] 30
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[43] 24
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)[44] 9
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[45] 1
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[46] 10
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[47] 34
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[48] 27
Scottish Albums (OCC)[49] 1
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[50] 37
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[51] 13
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 9
UK Albums (OCC)[53] 1
US Billboard 200[54] 2
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[55] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2006) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[56] 30
Irish Albums (IRMA)[57] 7
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[58] 18
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)[44] 84
UK Albums (OCC)[59] 12
US Billboard 200[60] 95
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[61] 17
Worldwide[62] 19
Chart (2007) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[63] 55
European Albums (Billboard)[64] 52
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[65] 45
UK Albums (OCC)[66] 24
US Billboard 200[67] 80
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[68] 16
Chart (2008) Position
UK Albums (OCC)[69] 108
Chart (2009) Position
UK Albums (OCC)[70] 174

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–09) Position
UK Albums (OCC)[71] 70

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[72] Gold 20,000*
Australia (ARIA)[73] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Belgium (BEA)[74] Gold  
Canada (Music Canada)[75] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Germany (BVMI)[76] Gold 100,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[77] 4× Platinum 60,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[78] 2× Platinum 30,000^
Russia (NFPF)[79] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] 5× Platinum 1,484,313[24]
United States (RIAA)[81] Platinum 1,300,000[82]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[83] Platinum 1,000,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Awards

Year Ceremony Award Result
2007 Brit Awards Best International Album Won
MTV Australia Awards Album of the Year Nominated
Shockwaves NME Awards Best Album Nominated
Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Q[84] UK Q Artists and Albums of the 21st Century 2010 11
Rolling Stone[26] US Most Underrated Album of the Decade: Readers' Poll 2010 1

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog no.
Japan September 27, 2006 Universal CD UICL-9037
Australia September 30, 2006 Universal Music Australia CD 1706722
United Kingdom October 2, 2006 Lizard King Records CD
United States October 3, 2006 Island Records picture disc LP B0007221-01
CD B0007221-02

References

  1. ↑ "Killers Single-Latest". Clash. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ Kent, Nick (October 20, 2006). "The saints of Sin City". The Guardian. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  3. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (August 1, 2016). "The Killers Announce Sam's Town Reissue, 10th Anniversary Party". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  4. ↑ Toney, Jordan (October 7, 2016). "The Killers release previously unheard 'Sam's Town'-era demo, "Peace of Mind"". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ McLean, Craig (September 24, 2006). "Songs of praise". The Guardian. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ Appleford, Steve (October 3, 2016). "The Killers Celebrate 10 Years of 'Sam's Town' With Wild Casino Getaway". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ Allen, Jeremy (October 5, 2006). "Sam's Town: The Killers". Playlouder. Archived from the original on October 25, 2006.
  8. ↑ "The Killers – When You Were Young [Universal]". AngryApe. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  9. ↑ "The Killers: Dressed to Kill". Giant. September 25, 2006. Archived from the original on October 26, 2006. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  10. ↑ "The Killers-Fansite". The Killers-Fansite. 2006-11-30. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  11. ↑ "The Killers-Fansite". The Killers-Fansite. 2006-07-08. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  12. ↑ "Reviews for Sam's Town by The Killers". Metacritic. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  13. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sam's Town – The Killers". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  14. ↑ Hawthorne, Marc (October 4, 2006). "The Killers: Sam's Town". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ Eells, Josh (October 2006). "The Killers: Sam's Town". Blender (52). Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  16. ↑ Rosen, Jody (October 2, 2006). "Sam's Town". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  17. ↑ Salmon, Chris (September 29, 2006). "The Killers, Sam's Town". The Guardian. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  18. ↑ Murison, Krissi (September 29, 2006). "The Killers: Sam's Town". NME. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  19. ↑ Mitchum, Rob (October 5, 2006). "The Killers: Sam's Town". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  20. ↑ "The Killers: Sam's Town". Q (243): 112. October 2006.
  21. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (September 21, 2006). "Sam's Town". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  22. ↑ Lim, Dennis (October 2006). "It's Showtime!". Spin. 22 (10): 93. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  23. ↑ Hasty, Katie (October 11, 2006). "Evanescence Zooms By Killers To Take No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  24. 1 2 Jones, Alan (September 24, 2012). "Official Charts Analysis: Gangnam Style sales increase 445%". Music Week. Retrieved February 12, 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  25. ↑ "50 fastest selling albums ever". NME. April 27, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  26. 1 2 http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/staff-blog/readers-rock-list-most-underrated-album-of-the-decade-20091214
  27. ↑ "Rocklist.net...Q Magazine Lists". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  28. ↑ Hoard, Christian (November 16, 2006), "The Killers".Rolling Stone. (1013):133
  29. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – The Killers – Sam's Town" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Killers – Sam's Town" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Killers – Sam's Town" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  33. ↑ "The Killers – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for The Killers. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Killers – Sam's Town" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  36. ↑ "European Albums: Week of October 21, 2006". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  37. ↑ "Killers: Sam's Town" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Killers – Sam's Town" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  40. ↑ Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Aλμπουμ [Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums] (in Greek). IFPI Greece. November 5–11, 2006. Archived from the original on November 15, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  41. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 42, 2006". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  43. ↑ サムズ・タウン | ザ・キラーズ [Sam's Town | The Killers] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  44. 1 2 "Top 100 Album – Top 1–50; De Enero a Diciembre de 2006". Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  45. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLIS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  50. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Killers – Sam's Town". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  53. ↑ "Killers | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  54. ↑ "The Killers – Chart history" Billboard 200 for The Killers. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  55. ↑ "The Killers – Chart history" Billboard Top Rock Albums for The Killers. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  56. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Best of 2006 – Albums". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  58. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2006". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  59. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums: Year End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  61. ↑ "Rock Albums: Year End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  62. ↑ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2006" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  63. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  64. ↑ "Year End Charts – European Top 100 Albums". Billboard. 2007. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  65. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2007". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  66. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  67. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums: Year End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  68. ↑ "Rock Albums: Year End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Official Album Chart – 2008" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 6. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  70. ↑ "Official Album Chart – 2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 8. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  71. ↑ "The Noughties' Official UK Albums Chart Top 100". Music Week. London: 19. January 30, 2010. ISSN 0265-1548.
  72. ↑ "Discos de Oro y Platino". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  73. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  74. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2007". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. March 24, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  75. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – The Killers – Sam's Town". Music Canada. November 22, 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  76. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Killers; 'Sam's Town')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  77. ↑ "Irish album certifications – The Killers – Sam's Town". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  78. ↑ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  79. ↑ "Russian album certifications – The Killers – Sam's Town" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF). Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  80. ↑ "British album certifications – Killers – Sam's Town". British Phonographic Industry. November 15, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2012. Enter Sam's Town in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  81. ↑ "American album certifications – The Killers – Sam's Town". Recording Industry Association of America. November 8, 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  82. ↑ Peters, Mitchell (July 23, 2008). "UMG Merch Arm Inks Deal With The Killers". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  83. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2006". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  84. ↑ "Rocklist.net...Q Magazine Lists..". rocklistmusic.co.uk.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/23/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.