The Killers have dropped their second album and My Chemical Romance keeps tearing up the charts. We take a look at both albums!

The Killers - Sam's Town

Old-school Americana meets new-school synth-rock in The Killers sophomore album, Sam's Town. The album stays true to the sound that launched The Killers popularity on Hot Fuss but has a slightly slicker feel. Lead singer Brandon Flowers has claimed this is the album that will keep rock and roll afloat, which is a pretty weighty ambition for what is essentially a pop album. Still, the album bashes out one catchy tune after another. The Killers still slay us every time.

The Killers - Sam's Town Fun Facts

The music video for the song Bones was directed by Tim Burton, director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Beetlejuice, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The album is said to be influenced by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, among others.

The album takes its name from Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, which is in the band's hometown of Las Vegas.

The Killers - Sam's Town Hot Tracks

My List; Bones; This River is Wild; When You Were Young

The Killers - Sam's Town Rating:

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

My Chemical Romance's latest album, The Black Parade, brings the '70s back to life with their raucous, over-the-top brand of glam rock. Their death anthems hook you into their hard-hitting tunes. The album's dark theme - essentially death, death and more death - manages to never tread into the depressing, moody depths of Evanescence territory and instead has the kitsch skeletons-and-monsters vibe of a good Halloween party.

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade Fun Facts

The title of the album was officially revealed at a concert played in London in August 2006.

The band has said that Queen is one of their major influences.

My Chemical Romance had to cancel several concerts in July and August 2006 due to injuries sustained during the filming of the video for their second single.

A velveteen-wrapped special edition of the album was made available for pre-sale.

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade Hot Tracks

Mama; Welcome to the Black Parade; Famous Last Words

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade Rating:

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