Christmas 2011: The Killers ~ The Cowboy's Christmas Ball

There are two things about The Killers that can be taken as standard. One is that lead singer Brandon Flowers gets hotter every year (like a latter day Gary Barlow). Two is that reliable as clockwork and timely as Santa's sleigh, they release a festive themed single on December 1st each year in order to raise awareness and funds for AIDS charities (as part of the RED campaign, and in conjunction with World Aids Day). This years effort is a real corker so here is all the information...

This year, it's time to get your yeehaw on as The Killers give us their most country music take on Christmas yet. It's a peppy, jingle bell chiming good time set over an energetic bluegrass riff, with Brandon in storyteller mode, giving us the low down on (yes, you guessed it) the cowboy's Christmas ball. I imagine this is a bit like those not very glamorous at all events at Southfork Ranch in Dallas where multi millionaires would turn up for a BBQ. Frankly, not enough pop or Christmas songs reference the killer line dance move of the dosey do, so there's a big plus right there. It slots alongside Brandon's ambition to be the vast, jackanory of a sweeping America & it's so bloody enjoyable from start to finish that there's not much to moan about really. Oh, and in case you aren't up to date, here is what was delivered in Christmas pasts from The Killers...

• A Great Big Sled (ft Toni Halliday) (review here)
• Don't Shoot Me Santa (review here)
• Joseph, Better You Than Me (ft Elton John & Neil Tennant)(review here)
• ¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe! (ft Wild Light & Mariachi El Bronx) (review here)
• Boots (review here)