Flamingo (Deluxe Edition)

"Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas" opens the solo debut of the Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers with twangy tones rubbing against the grain of an anthemic modern-rock ballad. Throughout Flamingo, contrasts provide palpable tension while retaining some of the Springsteen worship that peppered the Killers' sophomore album Sam's Town. Jenny Lewis sings harmonies on the theatrical sounding "Hard Enough" where her warm and dusty vocals run perpendicular to Flowers' icy lulls. "Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts" sounds highly inspired by Born to Run-era The Boss until the tune's bridge breaks down into a bout of post-punk ambience, but both worlds collide nicely at the end, making for a triumphant conclusion. Standout tune "Crossfire" is a perfect example of Flamingo's formula: start off with a melodramatic verse that climbs and claws its way to a fist-pumping chorus while scattering Americana appreciation like the shells of sunflower seeds. Try walking away from bonus tracks like the countrified "The Clock Was Tickin'" or the more Killers-esque "Jacksonville" without a memorable melody stuck in your head.