What We're Listening To: "The Desired Effect" by Brandon Flowers

Before you take the time out of your day to read this, please understand that I am a big fan of Brandon Flowers. The Killers are my favorite band, so naturally I also enjoy any side projects that the members embark upon (also check out drummer Ronnie Vannucci's band Big Talk, and bassist Mark Stoermer's solo album. Both are extremely different from The Killers as well as Brandon's solo career). I will do my best to not allow my love for the band to cloud my musical judgment. 

With that out of the way, it goes without saying that Flowers' The Desired Effect is an excellent divergence from the norm of sophomore slumps that occur with most artists. If we reflect on the Killers' sophomore effort, Sam's Town, we can see another example of a strong second album. 

After the release of his debut solo album, Flamingo, in 2010, Flowers again took advantage of the Killers' most recent hiatus and kept his creative juices flowing. The Desired Effect was released in May of this year, with four singles being released several weeks prior: "Can't Deny My Love," "Still Want You," and "Lonely Town." 

In advance of these singles, I'll admit that I was worried about Brandon's newest solo album. Flamingo was a brutally honest, heart-wrenching piece of art, that didn't sit too well with critics. Many felt it was too reserved for Brandon, or sounded like another Killers' album. I disagree. Flamingo has distinct ties to the area that Brandon has lived in both past and present. The country nuances pop up throughout the album, and his lonely themes fit the genre. It is not a tried and true country album as we know the genre to be today, but draws influence from the likes of Johnny Cash. Flamingo, to me, represents a place for the outcasts. While the album has country vibes, it works because it has a little bit of everything thrown together. Some people may not like this, but I'm not some people. 

Opinions of Flamingo aside, Flowers leaves the deep-rooted hometown influences in the dust for his follow-up, The Desired Effect. In a day and age (Killers' pun not intended) where a distinctly pop-sounding album has a terrifying stigma for those who feel themselves to be too cool for the "mainstream" world, Brandon Flowers created a FANTASTIC pop album. Yes, I said it. Deal with it. 

The album starts with an "in-your-face," anthemic rock song, very reminiscent of what Battle Born tried to accomplish. I can almost hear Bruce Springsteen singing "Dreams Come True" at one of his marathon concerts. In my opinion, songs 1 through 4 on the album, ("Dreams Come True," "Can't Deny My Love," "I Can Change," and "Still Want You") are strategically placed together to intentionally get them all stuck in your head simultaneously. It happens every damn time I listen to the album. I was extremely reserved about "Still Want You" at first because it seems so far off from anything I've previously heard from Flowers. Yet, it has become one of my favorite tracks from this album.

"Between Me And You" pays homage to his deeply honest lyrics from Flamingo. With cutting lyrics like, "There's a power in letting go," Flowers bares his soul. Not that he ever portrays a fake persona with any of his lyrics, but there is something so humbling about this song. I'd love to hear a piano-only version of this track.

I honestly cannot tell if the backing vocals are just layered perfectly, or if Brandon brought in a whole choir to back him up for "Lonely Town," but whatever he did sounds great. I sometimes attempt to harmonize with Brandon and the gang in the car...unsuccessfully. "Digging' Up the Heart" is a fun track to shout at the top of your lungs. Also, did anyone catch the lyric, "He's only human?" I GUESS HE'S HUMAN, NOT DANCER. HAH. But seriously, I can imagine this song in a new wave version of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Someone please create that for me.

"Never Get You Right" could be a decent hit for any other artist, but it's not a favorite of mine on this album. The guitar seems out of place, and I'm just not thrilled by the song. The title of the song is quite ironic, because by the end of the song, he never does get it right for me. This one is just a filler track for me. "Untangled Love," which plays immediately after, gets everything right that the previous song did wrong. It's a redeeming track for the end of the album. Bruce Springsteen might be a bit upset that he didn't write this one, because it's definitely a killer (not a band joke, I promise).

I had the pleasure of seeing Brandon perform "The Way It's Always Been" acoustically at Webster Hall back in March. Since then, I can't imagine the song any other way. I really appreciate the song in that pure form, and I prefer that over this album version any day. 

One thing that is consistent about Brandon's solo efforts is the excellent female background singers, both on the albums and live. This pop album is something that I can listen to at any time, which is something I generally do not say about pop music. Could my affinity for Brandon's normal gig be the cause of this? Possibly. If it is, oh well.

If you want to hear what my 2010 sounded like, give Flamingo a listen. And to supplement that, check out the incredible video for "Only the Young." It still stands as one of my favorite music videos of all time. 

Then, listen to The Desired Effect and tell me what you think. Do you have a favorite track from TDE? 

Rating: 9/10 (I genuinely like this album. Contrary to what you may think, I don't give out 9s freely.)