The Killers, 'Day & Age'

The buzz: It's not often a band that refuses to move from Las Vegas to Los Angeles goes supernova, but such is the story of the Killers. After staying home to make their 2004 crossover LP, "Hot Fuss," the synth-pop confessors went straight from the desert to Grammys and platinum status. A retreat into roots rock for 2006's "Sam's Town" couldn't match their auspicious debut, but the 2007 B-sides compilation "Sawdust" and this winsome third full-length will probably do the trick.

The verdict: Falling somewhere between Erasure and Duran Duran, the Killers' new effort is built for the Top 40. The synthetic symphony of "Human" and "Spaceman" ought to pack dance floors just fine while the horn-fueled "Losing Touch" and digital funk of "Joy Ride" should chill the critics. Though the Killers lean corny on saccharine pop stomps like "Neon Tiger" and "The World We Live In," their fans will eat it up; likewise, late adopters may indulge without prejudice, if such a thing is possible.

Did you know? Frontman Brandon Flowers recently initiated cute beefs with bands like the Bravery and Fall Out Boy before apologizing on the Killers' official Web site.

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