If the Killers were trying to channel Duran Duran on their debut smash hit “Hot Fuss”, the Las Vegas band is trying for a completely different track on their second album “Sam’s Town”. Named after the off-strip casino in Vegas, the Killers are looking to more influential material on this record, namely U2 and Bruce Springsteen.

I know, many bands want to become the next U2 or Springsteen, but most bands fall short of those aspirations on their second album, and people grow sick of the claims very quickly. Out of the dozens of bands striving to reach the level of U2 over the years, the Killers actually comes the closest with “Sam’s Town”. The new album is a highly entertaining follow-up, which keeps some of the structure of the band’s electro-pop songs, but adding a more epic, guitar driven sound that keeps the somberness of Coldplay and other U2 wannabes at bay.

The opening title track starts off with lead singer Brandon Flowers sounding more like a serious version of Ric Ocasek (The Cars) than a Springsteen knockoff. The sound on the song is only a taste of the lush soundscape on the album. The first single “When You Were Young” is probably the best single to come out this fall, and makes a claim for the band’s long term potential. The obvious U2 comparisons are going to come out with the Edge-esque guitar work on “Bling (Confessions of a King)” and “For Reasons Unknown”, which are key tracks on the album. Another key track is “Uncle Jonny”, which comes off as a foot stomping, and almost angry track where Flowers blares over a wall of guitar distortion and works it to his advantage.

The album does not reach iconic or classic status, due to the mopey tracks at the end of the record, such as “Why Do I Keep Counting”, but these are the only drawbacks in a highly enjoyable listen.

Back in the spring, singer Flowers bragged about “Sam’s Town” saying it would be “one of the most important records of the past 20 years”. Well, that’s a tall order to live up to with classic records from the last 20 years, but I will give Flowers credit, this will definitely be one of the ten best records of this year. Only time will tell if the Killers fall into the sophomore slump, or reach the Promised Land. “Sam’s Town” is a very good record, but now you just have to get the masses to buy it to make good on those lofty aspirations.

GRADE: A-