Atlantic City Weekly

Las Vegas has long been regarded as a haven for performers to flock to for life after career-death. Where else could Elvis-impersonating cab drivers, Celine Dion and Carrot Top be the hottest acts in town? Because of this, Vegas has been known for what it could capture with its exasperating neon glow -- not what it could generate. That is, until the Killers illuminated the modern rock world two years ago with the international success of their five-million selling debut smash, Hot Fuss.

And shine the Vegas natives did. Critics and fans alike championed their glitzy album for its fresh take on '80s New Wave as it delightfully wove strands of decadent rock with synth-driven pop. Topping it all was singer Brandon Flowers' vocals tangoing somewhere between David Bowie and Morrissey. Singles like "Somebody Told Me," "Mr. Brightside" and "All These Things That I've Done" saturated radio waves around the world earning the Killers five Grammy nods and a MTV VMA for "Best New Artist." Before long, the Vegas foursome became known as "the best British band to come from America."

Such things can shake a young band to its core, and from the sound of their pivotal follow-up, Sam's Town, released this month, things have shaken up quite a bit. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci was in Los Angeles when he took some time recently to chat with us about where the Killers have been and where they're going.

"It's named after a casino [in Vegas], but it's not why we named the record Sam's Town," Vannucci tells AC Weekly. "It's meant to be something of a place to go to for the listener. It's kind of like Pink Floyd made Dark Side of the Moon or [The Beatles'] Abbey Road. It's a place, and you feel like when you listen to those records, you've gone to a place. And that's what we kind of wanted to create. For us, it was coming home."

When Flowers and Vannucci, along with guitarist Dave Keuning and bassist Mark Stoermer, arrived home last November after extensive touring and promotion behind Hot Fuss, they felt a welcoming nostalgia pour over them along with a newfound appreciation for where they come from. This essentially became the palette for Sam's Town and two weeks later they immersed themselves in the recording process once again.

Sam's Town yields less theatrics than 2004's Hot Fuss did, leaving many critics scrambling to pin who they sound like this time, with Bruce Springsteen and U2 mentioned most.

"I see the similarities and I'm happy to be put alongside Bruce Springsteen, but honestly, heart of hearts, I don't think it sounds like Bruce Springsteen," says Vannucci. "We didn't make this a concerted effort to try and change -- we just did."

In the band's new sound, Flowers commands himself better having dropped his Bowie-esque accent for more organic vocals, while the synths are more complimentary than necessary, transforming the songs into introspective, yet mammoth rock songs.

"I guess the ultimate compliment is to be recognized as a classic band," says Vannucci. "I think we've got something really, really special, and I hope it gets some notice and it gets regarded. We just want to be a band that's around for 25 or 30 years."

The desire to stick around shows. The Killers have begun to sound like a hardened rock band shooting to become the World's Greatest Rock Band as opposed to America's Best Brit Band. Yet, the stylistic tweaks have led the music press and Internet message boards to field Sam's Town with mixed reviews.

"To tell you the truth, I like having the mixed reviews because it's telling me that we've done something a little bit out of bounds, and I'm glad that we're doing that" says Vannucci of his naysayers.

The title track of the new album rounds out the aforementioned emotions of homecoming and expectation as Flowers reaches to the pit of his stomach and sings, "I'm sick of all my judges / so scared of letting me shine / but I know that I can make it / as long as someone takes me home / every now and then."

Since everyone can't pack their bags and hop to Vegas this moment to see Sam's Town �-- this symbolic place for The Killers -- the band is headed back on tour to bring it to the world, including a stop at the Borgata this weekend.

"I'm really excited about just playing these new songs," says Vannucci. "Especially after basically running through the same set for three years or more. It's almost like you got to prove yourself again. I love being able to be challenged like that. I don't want to get lazy."

The Killers play the Borgata's Event Center on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 8pm with openers the Red Romance. Tickets, $50, can be purchased via ComcastTix.com or at 1-800-298-4200.