The Killers are not a sellout

What is a sellout. First define it. A sellout is a band that becomes popular and in the process loses touch with their “vision.” Or the kind of band they are. Deviating from their roots. What are The Killers roots? Synth rock band. But who says a band has to stick with what they made up at the beginning? Most bands transform as they mature. Take Keane for example, they were a piano rock group that, in their third album, experimented with some 80’s styles. Sure they’ll lose some fans, but that’s the risk they’ll take in order to still do what they want, despite what people want, which is what the band originally was like. Now look at The Killers. With each new album, kind of, they’ve deviated from their first album. Why? Because they want to experiment, not to please the people. With Day and Age, they probably lost many fans who wanted to hear more edge, rock and synth, but hey, let The Killers do what they want to do. Those fans are going to be the fans that will think The Killers are a sellout. But how could they if they’re keeping touch with their vision, which is ever changing. You know nothing is ever constant and with changing times it’s inevitable. The Killers are maturing and experimenting, not caring what others would think of them. Heck, you can see that in Brandon’s outfit – a jacket with feathers at the shoulders or penny loafers and tuxedo with a bow tie. They dress however they want to dress; they change however they want to change in terms of musical style. True fans are those who love The Killers for who they are and their music despite the change. The real sellouts are those fans who start to trash talk their favorite band like a group of complaining sissy girls once they see something “off” or, dare I say, “popular,” or not as “pure, small time and independent” as they used to be. Oh please, you girls just want some juice to gossip about. Grow up.

On the plus side, you know what kind of power you have if you’re popular? Like The Killers, you should use that role to spread goodness in the world, like promoting peace. That’s why, although The Killers have gain a certain amount of popularity, they’re not as popular as artists you hear on a daily basis on the radio. Most of those artists sing songs around the same theme, which is usually love/relationships. In fact the only popular killers songs that have made it on the radio, such as “Smile like you mean it,” “Somebody told me,” and “Mr. Brightside” were about love/relationships, and that’s what made those songs popular. If it’s not that theme that makes some of their songs popular, then it’s their catchy tune. But it’s only catchy because it fits what the song conveys, like “All these things that I’ve done.” It basically talks about looking back at your life with a positive attitude. Of course it’s going to use that popular chord progression, it’s only fitting. It’s only if you use that chord progression with every single song, despite opposing moods and meanings of the lyrics that you become closer to being a sellout. Then you’re just using that chord progression for the sake of the ears of many instead of the song. The Killers don’t do that; they write their song and then the melody that would fit it best. If The Killers are sellouts, then they are intelligent ones, at best, unlike most. I’d rather have that in my ears to listen to that than to other sellouts.

In continuing with experimentation, just as an important side note, The Killers have covered so many subgenres of rock. All the way from classic rock, synth rock, pop rock, country rock, to alternative rock (with some reggae). They just do whatever they want, so long as it’s still under the umbrella of rock – they are a rock band in almost every possible way they can and want to be, as far as their capabilities can take them.

Let them do whatever they want. Why you gotta complain when they don’t do what you want? So what if they become successful, aren’t you supposed to be happy for them? They are, after all, successful and NOT superficial. I think that’s where the problem lies. Too many think they are, but they’re not listening – I mean really listening – to The Killers lyrics. Did you know "Believe me Natalie" was about a girl dancer with AIDS? And did you know that "Leave the Bourbon on the shelf," "Midnight show," and "Jenny was a friend of mine" were all part of a murder trilogy that The Killers purposely put on separate albums? Did you know "Dustland Fairytale" was about the fact that Brandon Flowers's mom was diagnosed and suffering from cancer? Just a few examples of The Killers songwriting/musical style creativity in rock. In fact, the article, "The Killers and Patti Smith receive songwriting honors" states that, "The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers named Dr. Luke songwriter of the year and The Killers were honoured for their musical impact. Rock legend Patti Smith won a lifetime achievement award, while Jason Mraz won song of the year for I'm Yours." I think you should listen and interpret, people! If only more people were less ignorant . . . But hey, I’m not here to impose opinions, just state them like I state facts.

Good job, Jason Mraz and The Killers -- my two favorite musicians. Coincidence? I think not.

To be honest, I wish The Killers were more edgy with their recent material, which is why their fourth album, Day and Age, is my least favorite. But I still love them. You ain’t gonna to see me call them sellouts; I’m not that ignorant.

This blog was a response to this article:
http://www.themiamihurricane.com/2010/01/10/sell-outs-are-cop-outs/