Music Review: Brandon Flowers - "Flamingo"

Music Review: Brandon Flowers - "Flamingo"

Much like the way Bruce Springsteen has spent most of his career writing songs that romanticize his home state of New Jersey, Brandon Flowers has chosen to do the same by recording an entire album that pays tribute to his hometown of Las Vegas. And, "Flamingo" -- hold on to your bucket of nickels because I'm gonna say it -- "hits the jackpot!"

If the name Brandon Flowers doesn't sound familiar to you then maybe you know him better from his work as lead singer and songwriter for the multi-platinum American band "The Killers." "Flamingo" marks his debut as a solo artist and he wastes no time tapping into his inner Springsteen. The influence of "The Boss" is most evident on the 3 tracks produced by Springsteen's current producer of choice Brendan O'Brien (The Rising, Magic, Working On A Dream).

The first of these 3 tracks, "Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas," kicks off the CD and the opening line, "You woke up in the rusted frame of burned out old DeVille" immediately reminded me of the lyric ,"They haunt this dusty beach road in the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets" from Springsteen's "Thunder Road." Some might think this borders on plagiarism but believe me it's an homage ... so lighten up.

Another O'Brien produced track, "Magdalena," includes lyrics such as "please don't tell me I can't make it, it ain't gonna do me any good" and makes mention of "prodigal sons and wayward daughters." Lines like these sound like they were taken right out of the Springsteen handbook.

The final O'Brien produced song, "Crossfire," is also the first single and has the type of driving bass line that E. Street Band bassist Garry W. Tallent virtually invented. In a perfect universe the cast of characters in these songs whether it's Jackie Geronimo, Magdalena or Valentina, would somehow meet up with Candy, Rosalita and The Magic Rat in the greatest rock song of all-time!

Now in case you're wondering if this is a total "Bruce fest" rest assured it is not…

The rest of the CD was produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel, Neil Young), Stuart Price & Flowers himself. Usually when I hear that an album has more than one producer I get worried that it won't sound focused. But, that is not the case here. In fact, this might be the best sequenced CD that I have heard in a while. Every song flows perfectly into the next, giving the listener time to get the full emotional impact of each and every lyric sung and note played.

(Can you tell I like it yet?)

Track 3 finds Flowers singing a duet with Jenny Lewis on a song called "Hard Enough." This song sounds like it leaked right out of the pen of Jim Steinman and a song that Meat Loaf could have a hit record with right now! Fans of "The Killers" will love "Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts" with it's rocking chorus and "Was It Something I Said?" about a guy who can't figure out how his relationship has gone south. The lyrics here are heartbreaking but with an intro that sounds like the best of Wham you don't feel sad because the music is so upbeat.

Trust me it works.

The album closes out with "Swallow It" and finds Flowers singing like Lou Reed over music that sounds like "The Cars" with a Todd Rundgren-esque chorus. That may sound like a lot for one song but it is so cool -- just like Sin City in the 60's Daddio!

I sure hope Brandon Flowers hasn't showed all his cards with this solo debut. But, even if he has, my ears will continue to stay at the "Flamingo" for years to come.

Drumroll please… 10 out of 10 drumsticks.