Hot Fuss (Deluxe Edition)

When America experienced a second British Invasion early in the millennium, it came from within. US bands such as The Killers emulated past decades with wonky synths and peppy, glam melodies that recalled the days of Bowie, New Order and Duran Duran. Ditched by his synth-pop group Blush Response, singer-keyboardist Brandon Flowers teamed with guitarist Dave Keuning in Las Vegas and, within a week, had penned "Mr. Brightside," the band's first single and a musical blueprint for their debut album. Combining lyrically ambitious narratives—“Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" and "Midnight Show" confront murder, "Andy, You're a Star" a stalker — with musically lush and anthemic riffs, The Killers instil their music with a sense of urgent drama and cinematic intrigue. "All These Things That I've Done" adds a gospel choir, whereas the single “Somebody Told Me" settles for an irrepressible chorus that sounds like the Human League discovering heavy metal in an after-hours leather bar.