by Nick Caramico

Not to be confused with his band The Killers, Brandon Flowers’ ‘Flamingo’ is the artist’s first roll of the dice at a solo album.

One glaring theme of this album comes from Flowers’ home town of Las Vegas. From the album cover to a good amount of lyrics, the theme of gambling and anything Vegas can be heard throughout.

Flowers’ voice becomes slow and methodical at points while the music remains upbeat. The album opens with a proper introduction (‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’) that sets the somewhat predictable tone for the whole album. ‘Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts’ compares the risk of gambling with the ups and downs of a relationship.

The album’s first single ‘Crossfire’ shows the starkest contrast between the solo Flowers and The Killers. With that being said, ‘Swallow It’ sounds like it could have been a left over from the ‘Day & Age’ album. One of the highlights of the album, ‘Hard Enough’ features Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley. The duet shows off both singers exceptional voices in a rather serious song about a breakup. The deluxe iTunes version of the album features some bonus songs that are more than worthy of being on the main album.

Synthesizer and piano replace the usual Killers guitar which at times gives the album a new wave or even glam sound. The general feel of the album is, at times, theatrical which fits into the Las Vegas lifestyle.

While comparisons will likely be drawn between ‘Flamingo’ and any Killers work, this is a valiant freshmen effort that distinguishes Flowers as a credible solo artist.