The Killers – Sam's Town

Sam’s Town, released in 2006, is The Killers’ second studio album and a bold pivot from their debut Hot Fuss. The record trades some of the new wave polish of the first album for more expansive, heartland-rock influences, drawing inspiration from Bruce Springsteen and arena rock tropes. Songs like When You Were Young and Bones highlight the band’s ambition to scale up their sound—layered guitars, anthemic choruses, and lyrical themes rooted in yearning and identity.

Though its reception was mixed at the time, the album’s dramatic production and emotional scope have aged into a cult appreciation. At its best, Sam’s Town delivers sweeping, vivid rock—where the grandeur sometimes overshadows nuance, yet the ambition and moments of raw connection keep it compelling. Over time, it’s come to be seen as a sincere, divisive bridge in The Killers’ discography.

Reviews

“Not fully realizing where their strengths and weaknesses lie makes Sam’s Town, despite the drastic makeover, roughly equivalent to Hot Fuss.” – Pitchfork

“The title track of Sam’s Town is everything the Killers have become famous for: thumping, propulsive beats; sing-talky lyrics; towering synths; bold, inescapable hooks.” – Slant Magazine