Killers receive a hero’s welcome

He's forever the optimist, the triumphant pose incarnate, who seems as if he sprang from the womb with his fist in the air.

"Now I'm back home," Brandon Flowers sang with authority, employing the crisp movements of a well-dressed drill sergeant, "and I'm looking forward to this life I live."

The Killers frontman had plenty of reasons to be in good spirits at a stuffed, sweltering House of Blues on Monday night, where the mascara ran and the antiperspirant was put to the test.

The place was hot and humid -- like a rainforest -- and as loud as it's ever been, the crowd clapping through every other tune and singing with enough volume to nearly drown out the monitors -- or a jetliner at take off.

It was a hero's welcome for this bunch, the rock 'n' roll equivalent of a ticker tape parade.

The Killers were here to debut some new material from the band's forthcoming third disc, "Day & Age," due out Nov. 25, premiering a clutch of tunes locally during their 17-song, 80-minute set.

"Losing Touch," the "Day & Age" opener, pulsed with cresting synth lines and growling guitars, beginning as a funky shuffle and building into a loose-limbed rocker peppered with fiery sax. "Spaceman," which followed, opened with bright keys en route to a powder keg chorus.

"It ain't so bad," Flowers implored during the song, standing atop a series of risers at the foot of the stage, looking regal and in command, as if a mix of idealism and Red Bull were coursing through his veins.

On their previous disc, "Sam's Town," the title track for which was stripped down and played as a spare, lonely waltz, The Killers shoved hard against the bounds of their sound, crafting a sprawling, high-minded disc distinctly evocative of their dusty surroundings.

They seem to be continuing to push the envelope at times on "Day & Age."

One new tune was a hip-shaking funk workout with prominent bass lines, hand drums and bleating sax.

Of course, the band tore through plenty of fan favorites as well, pushing the needle into the red on "Somebody Told Me," while drummer Ronnie Vannucci positively hammered his kit as guitarist Dave Keuning held his instrument high in the air, like a battle axe, on "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine."

Other highlights included Flowers' vocal acrobatics on "Sweet Talk" and the band's sultry, simmering cover of Joy Divisions "Shadowplay."

During the encore, Flowers sang the Nevada state song, "Home Means Nevada" -- twice, after a gaffe caused him to start over at one point -- before the band ended with a climactic "All These Things I've Done."

"My affection, well it comes and goes," Flowers howled, but there was no lack of the sentiment on this night.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.