Description
The Killers – Sawdust – Double Vinyl Record
Collection of B-sides and rarities from 2003 to 2007. Includes previously unreleased material from the ‘Sam’s Town’ and ‘Hot Fuss’ sessions.
180g double album on standard black vinyl.
Released on November 9, 2007 via Island Records, Sawdust is the Killers’ first compilation album, bringing together B-sides, rarities, covers, and unreleased tracks recorded between 2002 and 2007. Coming on the heels of their first two blockbuster studio albums—Hot Fuss (2004) and Sam’s Town (2006)—the record serves as both a gift to fans and a fascinating document of the band’s range during their meteoric rise. Far from being a mere stopgap, Sawdust highlights the Killers’ ability to experiment, take risks, and showcase sides of their artistry that didn’t always fit neatly onto their mainline releases.
The collection runs 17 tracks, with a mix of previously unreleased songs, B-sides from singles, soundtrack contributions, and notable collaborations.
Highlights include:
“Tranquilize” (feat. Lou Reed) – A brooding, theatrical collaboration with the Velvet Underground legend. Reed’s unmistakable baritone trades lines with Brandon Flowers, resulting in a darkly cinematic track that sets the tone for the compilation.
“Shadowplay” – A faithful yet energized cover of Joy Division’s post-punk classic, recorded for the Control soundtrack. Flowers channels Ian Curtis’s urgency while the band gives it arena-rock muscle.
“All the Pretty Faces” – A roaring rocker originally recorded during the Sam’s Town sessions, showcasing the Killers’ heavier edge.
“Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf” – The long-awaited first part of the band’s so-called “Murder Trilogy” (followed by “Midnight Show” and “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” from Hot Fuss). It’s a fan favorite for its storytelling and connection to the Killers’ early mythology.
“Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” – A cover of the Kenny Rogers hit, transformed into a quirky alt-rock ballad.
“Under the Gun” and “Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll” – Early-era tracks that highlight the synth-heavy, tongue-in-cheek spirit of Hot Fuss.
“Sweet Talk” – A soaring anthem that could have easily been a single, blending the band’s signature widescreen sound with Flowers’s yearning vocals.
“Who Let You Go?” – Funkier and more groove-oriented than most of their catalog, showing their willingness to experiment.
“Romeo and Juliet” – A gorgeous Dire Straits cover that strips things down to highlight Flowers’s emotive delivery.
“Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke Remix)” – A remix of their biggest hit that reimagines it as a sleek dance-floor track, closing the compilation with a nod to the Killers’ club roots.
Sawdust is eclectic by design. It hops between post-punk revival, glam rock, Americana, synth-pop, and even country flourishes, reflecting the Killers’ restless creativity. While some tracks have the rougher feel of B-sides, many stand up against their best-known singles, and the sequencing gives the album a sense of cohesion.
Sawdust received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics noted that, as with many B-side collections, the quality was uneven, but most agreed that the highlights were essential listening for fans. “Tranquilize,” “Shadowplay,” and “Sweet Talk” were often singled out as standouts, while the covers showcased the band’s range of influences. Commercially, the album was a success: it reached the Top 10 on the UK Albums Chart and charted respectably in the U.S. and worldwide, further solidifying the Killers’ global dominance in the mid-2000s.
Sawdust isn’t just a collection of leftovers—it’s a portrait of a band in motion, documenting the Killers’ transition from the sleek, synth-heavy swagger of Hot Fuss to the dustier, heartland-rock ambition of Sam’s Town. It also highlights their reverence for their influences, from Joy Division to Dire Straits, while underlining their knack for storytelling and genre-hopping.
For diehard fans, Sawdust is a treasure trove that deepens the Killers’ mythology. For newcomers, it’s a reminder that even their “odds and ends” carry the drama, ambition, and cinematic sweep that made them one of the most important rock bands of the 2000s.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Tranquilize
Shadowplay
All The Pretty Faces
Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf
Sweet Talk
Under The Gun
Where The White Boys Dance
Show You How
Move Away
Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll
Who Let You Go?
The Ballad Of Michael Valentine
Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town
Daddy’s Eyes
Sam’s Town (Abbey Road Version)
Romeo And Juliet
Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke Remix)
Questions With The Captain
