Daily Times

When you are The Killers and your usual guitarist has gone, no problem. When you´re The Killers you can turn to Lindsey Buckingham. The former Fleetwood Mac guitarist steps in for a tune on the new 10-song “Imploding the Mirage,” another sign of the band´s clout. The album’s guests also include k.d. lang and Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs. The absence of guitarist and co-founder Dave Keuning is felt, with keyboards and drums stepping into the void. Without Keuning´s jangle and riff shards, The Killers have a more poppy sound.

If 2017´s “Wonderful Wonderful” was a meditation on the anxiety of masculinity, the new album often explores the lives of women, with two sharp portraits of tough survivors in “Blowback” and “Caution” – women whom Brandon Flowers sings each come from “white trash.” Many other songs are about loyally backing a partner. “I´ll be there when water´s rising/I´ll be your lifeguard,” Flowers sings on “Dying Breed.” On “When the Dreams Run Dry,” he vows: “I´ll be on your side/When the dreams run dry.” In “Lightening Fields,” he sings, “Just wanted to run my fastest/And stand beside you.” The cover of the album depicts a god tenderly supporting a goddess.

Jonathan Rado of California psychedelic-rock duo Foxygen and Shawn Everett – who worked on “Wonderful Wonderful” as well as with Kacey Musgraves and Alabama Shakes – have stepped in to produce and their influence can best be heard on the funky “Fire in Bone.” Elsewhere, listeners may have fun finding the band’s other influences. There’s a Tom Petty-ish sound to “Blowback” and “My Own Soul’s Warning” has a Springsteen vibe. But there’s no mistaking that classic Killers mix of soaring vocals, sonic bombast and sly humor in such songs as “My God” and the title track. It’s a solid album from a band still exploring.