THE KILLERS: Sam's Town (Island/Universal)

The Killers have followed up their mega-platinum debut by not messing with the formula – probably a sensible move at this stage. The Las Vegas quartet is still powered by '80s keyboards, glam guitars and more bombast than early U2 (not surprising, this is co-produced by U2 alumni Flood and Alan Moulder). The band has also delivered another instant classic in first single When You Were Young, and This River is Wide and the title track (an ode to the glittering decay on its home town) are not far behind. Singer Brandon Flowers is still the star, his melodramatic vocals set the band apart from the pack, but inventive guitarist Dave Keuning is the The Killers' secret weapon. Sam's Town is essentially more of the same, which ain't a bad thing.

JEFF CRAWFORD