The MagazineCanada

Sawdust, The Killers’ 17-track collection of B-sides, covers, and other rarities, defies the idea that this kind of release is merely a throwaway. It is a fully realized listening experience that expands the band’s early story and includes four tracks that had never appeared on any official release. The set captures material recorded during the lead-up to the band’s rise and early years, offering a window into the creative process while maintaining the sharp hooks and dramatic mood fans expect. Across its running time, Sawdust balances glossy pop sensibilities with intimate sketches, revealing the band’s comfort with shifting tempos and textures. There are shimmering moments of bright guitar pop, punctuated by wide, cinematic choruses; there are darker, moodier passages where atmosphere takes the foreground, and the performances stay precise, with tight rhythm sections and confident vocal turns that highlight a voice known for delivering memorable lines even when a song isn’t destined to be the single. The four unreleased tracks fit seamlessly, as if they belonged in a hidden chapter rather than a mere bonus disc. The approach to covers and demos shows a playful side of the band, hinting at influences from classic rock to piano-driven ballads that flavored their studio work. This variety isn’t a sign of inconsistency, but rather a window into the creative process, and the songs maintain a directness that fans recognize as The Killers’ hallmark: memorable melodies, punchy rhythm, and an emotional throughline that keeps the record moving. From a historical standpoint, the collection acts as a bridge between the fervent reception of Hot Fuss and the broader sound explored later, underscoring how prolific the group was during those years and helping listeners appreciate the depth of their catalog. Some listeners may notice rough edges, yet those imperfections rarely derail the fun; they add texture and a sense of spontaneity that often feels missing on more polished studio sets. In that sense, Sawdust stands as a small treasure chest, rewarding repeated listens and offering a compact capsule of a band’s formative phase that confirms why The Killers became a staple of the indie and rock scenes. For fans seeking a more complete sense of the group’s early period, Sawdust provides a welcome complement to Hot Fuss and The Killers’ later releases, and it invites comparisons with the self-titled debut to hear the raw materials that would later become neighborhood anthems. The collection, then, is not a marginal addendum but a vivid snapshot of a band in motion, a reminder of why the Killers captured attention in a crowded field.