Sawdust
by The Killers
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2007
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 89
  3. Negative: 5 out of 89

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  1. MidnightShow
    Sep 14, 2010
    10
    Very good for a b-sides album , there's some real gems like Tranquilize , All The Pretty Faces , Sweet Talk , Under The Gun and the Mr.Brightside remix and alot of other good tracks too but inevitably on a 18 track b side album there are some weaker tracks too.
  2. GRange
    Nov 16, 2007
    8
    Good for a b-sides release, the few new songs provided here are actually quite good. Tranquilize is a good song and it's nice to hear Lou Reed on he radio again.
  3. BradP.
    Nov 17, 2007
    9
    Pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't call myself a huge Killers fan, but I do have their first two albums. A majority of the songs here are better than what's on Sam's Town.
  4. MarcinK.
    Nov 25, 2007
    5
    This album wasn't bad, but it wasn't worth buying. The best songs were previously released on Sam's Town or Hot Fuss. I was disappointed.
  5. MusicM.
    Nov 29, 2007
    8
    If you like the Killers, you should definitely pick this up. If not, this isn't going to change your mind. The quality varies widely, as one might expect on a b-sides collection, but there are many songs that compare favorably with their biggest hits. Many of them date back to the Hot Fuss sessions (although some have been re-recorded). In addition, they cover artists as diverse as If you like the Killers, you should definitely pick this up. If not, this isn't going to change your mind. The quality varies widely, as one might expect on a b-sides collection, but there are many songs that compare favorably with their biggest hits. Many of them date back to the Hot Fuss sessions (although some have been re-recorded). In addition, they cover artists as diverse as Joy Division, Dire Straits, and Kenny Rogers. They even bring in Lou Reed as a guest on the leadoff track. All in all, a treat for fans.… Expand
  6. RogerL.
    Nov 18, 2007
    10
    Wonderful, essential album for Killers lovers...Or not!
  7. Pahlo
    Nov 24, 2007
    10
    I'm generally not a huge fan of compilation albums, whether its best of albums (useless) or b-side collections (oftened sounding scattered), they're usually quite boring. Sawdust, however, is a very good compilation from The Killers. I've been waiting for them to record Shadowplay which they've been playing live for quite a while now. other covers include Romeo and I'm generally not a huge fan of compilation albums, whether its best of albums (useless) or b-side collections (oftened sounding scattered), they're usually quite boring. Sawdust, however, is a very good compilation from The Killers. I've been waiting for them to record Shadowplay which they've been playing live for quite a while now. other covers include Romeo and Juliet and Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town. the rest are b-sides, unreleased/new tracks and remixes/live recordings. especially two unreleased tracks, Leave the Bourbon from Hot Fuss era, and Sweet Talk from Sams Town sessions were real gems. this is a definite buy for any Killers fan.… Expand
  8. LiciM.
    Dec 11, 2007
    10
    Releasing the B-sides in a collection was a great way to get the songs to the fans who don't have the opportunities to purchase all of the singles individually. Tranquilize is another one that highlights Brandon's song-writing talent and the Abbey Road Sam's Town version also shows his awesome talent on the keyboard. My Boys give yet another treasure of timeless tunes!
  9. MichaelS
    Nov 26, 2007
    8
    Good album until we get the latest and greatest. Hot Fuss is a 9 and Sam's Town is a 10. Sam's Town does not get the credit it deserves but there is not one bad song on that album. In fact they are mostly phenomenal. Fans would appreciate the genius of Sam's Town by downloading the album into their Ipod and walking the streets of New York.
  10. EricC.
    Nov 29, 2007
    5
    Dang, I was shocked at how good that track with Lou Reed was (Tranqulize). But the rest of these tracks just don't impress me. Which is too bad. I've followed the Killers from the beginning, and they always seemed ready to release a classic, unarguably good album. They should be the ones who make mainstream, radio-friendly rock that's actually good (not to sound snobbish). Dang, I was shocked at how good that track with Lou Reed was (Tranqulize). But the rest of these tracks just don't impress me. Which is too bad. I've followed the Killers from the beginning, and they always seemed ready to release a classic, unarguably good album. They should be the ones who make mainstream, radio-friendly rock that's actually good (not to sound snobbish). But they can't seem to reach that level. But when they finally do, well. I can't wait.… Expand
  11. j30
    Dec 1, 2011
    7
    Better than your average b-sides collection from The Killers. The biggest standout for me is the excellent cover of Joy Division's Shadowplay.
  12. JawsPapi87
    Oct 19, 2011
    8
    Another solid album by The Killers. It is about 30 minutes too long but not that irritating by minute 72. The lyrics are stronger than Sam's Town but not Hot Fuss. Tranquilize is a thrilling opener, by the way.
  13. Oasis93
    Jul 31, 2012
    7
    While no Masterplan, Sawdust is certainly a collection of tracks that contain more hits than misses, with the quality of the second half of the album far outweighing the first. With The Abbey Road recording of 'Sam's Town', 'Daddy's Eyes', and 'Romeo and Juliet' shining through as the stand-out tracks on the album, it makes us wonder how some of these gems weren't included on The LasWhile no Masterplan, Sawdust is certainly a collection of tracks that contain more hits than misses, with the quality of the second half of the album far outweighing the first. With The Abbey Road recording of 'Sam's Town', 'Daddy's Eyes', and 'Romeo and Juliet' shining through as the stand-out tracks on the album, it makes us wonder how some of these gems weren't included on The Las Vegas group's first two LP's. As much quality as there is however, there are tracks such as 'Where The White Boys Dance', and a rather uninspiring cover of Joy Division's 'Shadowplay' that reminds us the B-Side, doesn't always necessarily stand for Brightside. Overall, Sawdust is a must have for any die hard Killers fan, and worth at least a listen for the neutral… Expand
  14. Tobin2000
    Dec 18, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. ok this is by far my favorite killers album ever made. even though most of these songs are B-sides or covers every one of them are just amazing works of art. and there is a Sam's town version on this title and it is beautiful and its also my favorite killers song so its great to have this edition. there is also a great Mr.Briteside remix but its more just a distorted version rather that a remix (and I don't see the point) but all of the covers are great and one of my favorites is ruby don't take your love to town. but there are a lot of good ones here too be seen. and tranquilize, all these pretty faces etc. are written great by the killers themselves! ok well this album is a strong well produced album. its a very great buy too:)… Expand
  15. SamSouza
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    para um álbum compilado de B-Sides, eu considero o melhor álbum de B-Sides da História!

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Sawdust does indeed contain some moments of grand pomp, but its scattershot nature works against the band as it winds up emphasizing the lingering question from "Sam's Town," that the group has a hell of a lot of ideas but they just don't know what the hell to do with them.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    While it doesn't have the cohesive impact of "Hot Fuss" or "Sam's Town," it's an appealing set that brings a bit more breadth and depth to the group's catalog.
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  3. musicOMH.com
    60
    A nice Christmas present for that hardcore Killers fan in your life, but most casual observers will be happy to give this a miss and wait for the third album.
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