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Killers/Springsteen: You've Heard ... Now LISTEN

Posted Oct 4th 2006 2:16PM by TMZ Staff

Even before The Killers delivered their second album, "Sam's Town," references to Bruce Springsteen's 1975 "Born to Run" had been littered throughout almost every website, article, or review one could get their hands on. Are the comparisons warranted? Listen to the intros of both "When You Were Young" and "Born to Run" for yourself.
Springsteen/Killers audio
"Springsteen touches on the American dream, and that idea runs through the record. It's very optimistic," was a statement made by Killers frontman Brandon Flowers himself. But where he first truly channeled Springsteen publicly was in his confidence to say that "Sam's Town" would be the "best album of the past 20 years," much like the confidence Bruce has displayed throughout his career. If he could only remember the one thing that Springsteen never forgot -- to let the music speak for itself -- during interviews about his new mustache.

Then there's the question of their live shows. Bruce has been regarded as one of America's greatest live musicians, putting on legendary three-hour spectacles. The Killers performed the song "When You Were Young" this past Saturday on "Saturday Night Live" and took an immediate hit from critics. Thanks to the rare footage that you can get in the 30th anniversary edition of "Born to Run" we can also see Bruce perform "Born to Run" in 1975 when he was about the same age as Mr. Flowers is now. Compare those -- then you can be the judge.

Tags: Born to Run, BornToRun, Bruce Springsteen, BruceSpringsteen, Sam's Town, Sam'sTown, Springsteen, The Killers, TheKillers

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16. Bruce sucks and he always has. He's got one tone and one cord. He's not a true musician. You may not agree but that's my opinion.

Posted at 7:10PM on Oct 4th 2006 by therestofus

17. I don't hear it... they are completely different in my opinion

Posted at 9:42PM on Oct 4th 2006 by Bill

18. The Killers suck.

Posted at 11:52PM on Oct 4th 2006 by paula

19. I think this is a pretty funny story and shouldn't really be given any press time as it's pretty much a WASTE OF TIME! Who would think that one day people would be arguing about a silly talentless band fronted by and idiot would be compared to an American icon? It's pretty much like lifting Limp Bizkit to the top of the music greatness and comparing Fred Durst to Paul McCartney. This is just absolutely RIDICULOUS and definitely a sign of the times.

Commercialism and advertising is pretty potent in brainwashing the ipod clicking youth of today. All you youngins out there who just have so much love for this band defintely need to do a bit of homework and catching up. Cause if you DID have ears you wouldn't be able to stand Mr. Flowers' whinnnings! It's the bedtime story classic "The Emperor's New Clothes"! Everyone is so busy trying to be cool and worried that if they don't follow the masses and pop appeal they'd be called uncool, but really none of these kids are calling out THE HORRIBLE TRUTH!

I'm not much of a Springsteen fan, BUT I do have GREAT RESPECT for his work, and his relevance in American music history. Something this passing fad won't ever have. They'll be forgotten in 10 years, or will be remembered as one of the bands in a horrible time of hyper-commercialism and failures.

Posted at 1:49AM on Oct 5th 2006 by Death to the KILLERS!

20. AGREED.

but The Killers are the only ones at this time with a sound consumable enough to the masses that have had the BALLS to at least give an inclination [and speak on record] of what is to come next.

[a Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart of the music world if you will]

Springsteen did not have the greatest vocal range either but he could sing with the emotion [the genuineness] of the best of them.

Give credit to The Killers for at least giving the masses the ability to welcome [open up] to the future of music even in with their guarded stance of life.

it will take baby steps. the masses are simply too aggressive in their stance [trying to defend themselves] in this day and age from the constant attack through other areas of life.

Marty

Posted at 3:54AM on Oct 5th 2006 by marty

21. 17. The Killers suck and so does everyone in music today!

Good example: It's gotten so bad that washed out HAS BEENS have to lower themselves even further to selling a horrible reality show that's goal is to find the singer for their new band?! And to do this they find idiots to sing horrible renditions of classic rock songs? It's true! MUSIC TODAY SUCKS! The Killers are just the tip of that horrible iceberg that will soon sink to the bottom like every passing fad. Emo was probablly the most ridiculous genre to ever come out of music that it's just so embarassing to know it's a chapter in the big book of music.

Good music died when file sharing came about and when fat record company execs decided to hire their sons and nephews (who know nothing about music) as A&R scouts.

There is a lot of good talent out there, but they are unknown and they will continue to be unknown because the people in power have BAD TASTE and would rather sign their friends and people they know! THAT'S THE TRUTH!

Posted at 4:39AM on Oct 5th 2006 by Richard A

22. You cannot possibly compare the Killers to Bruce Springsteen. They have been on the scene for 5 minutes and you want to compare them to an American LEGEND who's been producing incredible music for the past 30 years. I'm English and England has produced some fine acts but none, no not even the Beatles come close to the honesty, passion, talent and longevity of Springsteen.
If you're an American, you should be proud of being the same nationality of one of the world's finest ambassadors to music.
Enough said!!! Enjoy the rest of your day!! :-) G.

Posted at 10:31AM on Dec 6th 2006 by Northernstar

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