With only two studio releases behind them, it might surprise some to hear that the Killers had enough material to release a b-sides and rarities CD only five years after forming, but this is definitely no all-filler/no-killer collection, instead containing a mittful of legitimately strong and worthwhile songs. There are four never-before-released Killer songs on Sawdust, including "Tranquilize," featuring rock legend Lou Reed on half of the vocals, a number that is filled with a Queen-affected operatic touch. The previously unreleased "Shadowplay"--a Joy Division cover--unfortunately pales compared to the original, while "Leave Your Bourbon at the Door" is easily the summit of the CD; a longtime live favorite, the song's despair and urgency is a must-have for any Killer fan. Also noteworthy is an outtake from the Hot Fuss sessions called "Under the Gun," a driving melody with a memorable chorus that feels like a Killers classic. Lesser-known tracks gathered together on this compilation include "Move Away"--first heard on the Spiderman 3 soundtrack--which is straight-up U2-circa-Vertigo era, but still exciting to listen to. Some previously released b-sides are cover tunes that provide musical whimsy, but not much more: the trad-country "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," which was made famous by Kenny Rogers, while the impassioned "Romeo and Juliet" tune--written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame--is nearly mimicked by Flowers, and serves little more purpose than providing homage to a wonderfully written melody and tale. --Denise Sheppard

Sawdust includes "All The Pretty Faces" (which was the b-side of "When You Were Young"); two movie soundtrack tunes, "Shadowplay" (a Joy Division cover from Control, Anton Corbijn's biopic of Ian Curtis) and "Move Away" (from Spiderman 3); as well as a cover of Kenny Rogers & The First Edition's "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" (written by Mel Tillis)

The collection will also contain songs which weren't completed for Hot Fuss and Sam's Town. The Killers recently went back into the studio to finish the tracks, including "Tranquilize" featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lou Reed.

Import pressing of the Las Vegas band's 2007 collection of B-sides and rarities includes one bonus track: 'Change Your Mind'. Pulled from singles and import releases, Sawdust also features a pair of new cuts: 'Shadowplay' (their cover of the Joy Division track, pulled from the Control soundtrack) plus 'Tranquilize', their duet with Lou Reed which is the first single pulled from Sawdust. Island.

For myself, I wouldn't care if The Killers came out with an album of B-sides like Sawdust every 6 months if all of the songs are as great as these are. The songs on here are a mixture of the sound of Hot Fuss and the sound of Sam's Town and then a dash of neither for good measure. With the exception of "Move Away" I can, and have, listened to most of the single tracks with the repeat button on because they are that great!

As long as you are not a person who gets twisted up in knots when someone breaks what is perceived as protocol for artists in the music industry, then this would be an album you could enjoy as much as Hot Fuss or Sam's Town.

This CD absolutely rocks! It has the right amount of songs, the right mix of songs, and the right length of songs. Everything is great.

October 5, 2008
First, let me be upfront, I am not the best music critic to evaluate the Killers for generational reasons but I am going to offer you, nevertheless
a bona fide and credible reason for purchasing their music. Although I go back to the days of listening to Bob Dylan covered by Leon Russell singing She Belongs To Me on vinyl, as a music critic I can recognize unusual talent and vocal and performance superiority when I see it no matter what genre or generation we are talking about. I saw Brandon Flowers on SNL tonight and I honestly enjoyed it immensely. He had the presence and the confidence that we held so dear in the front men of some pretty over the top classic bands. The music was of course the evolving punk synth category that apparently 30 somethings want back. Brandon's vocals were measured and top notch tonight even though my idea of punk was Elvis Costello transcending into Green Day as opposition. The tracks on this CD that I favor are Bourbon On The Shelf and Mr. Brightside. The evolution of this band sounds like a conundrum to me, threaded to Las Vegas and apparently attempting to further the punk contribution to fans. The focal point of my argument forwarded to younger listeners is purchasing their music is a win/win only. Brandon Flowers, who come to think of it, I have seen twice on SNL gave a very lasting and exceptional performance tonight on vocals and keyboards. I think for that reason and the other tracks I have heard, this is a very interesting and competent band

Jay Adler, Music Critic

By all, I mean me and my two kids. I am 66 and first purchase was Be Bop A Lula by Gene Vincent and that is a good enough measure of me, my daughter is 35 and still enjoys the Doors, my son is 24 and Mark E. Smith's The Fall is the best band in the world - whatever its personnel consists of at any given time. I tell you this because if Sawdust is acceptable to the three of us it should go down well with the majority. Most of all, the band members are a tight team rather each performing a little bit apart from the rest. Distinctive enough to stand out from the here today, gone tonight rubbish ensembles - the CD is well worth my money.

There's a reason these are b-sides, and scrappings, they aren't that good. The Killers only produce a few good songs on each album, and here is just some of the leftovers that didn't make the cut to be leftovers. There are few good songs, like Sam's Town, Mr. Brightside Re-mix, Tranqualize, Shadowplay, and Romeo & Juliet, but you'd be better off just downloading them stand- alone.