The Killers – ‘Land Of The Free’
Politics in the U.S. Have become so tribal that one would assume that if an individual is religious, they’re automatically right wing. Not so fast! Enter Brandon Flowers, a devout Mormon whom just dropped this new Killers single, ‘Land Of The Free’, a scathing anti Trump mega ballad that in it’s best moments evokes gospel mode Springsteen, and in it’s worst recalls every mode that Meatloaf has.
The lyrics are a laundry list of progressive concerns ranging from tougher gun laws, to racism and humanizing Mexican immigrants in an age where it’s become common practice to legitimize cruel practices because people apparently chose to be born somewhere else. The delivery is over the top but sometimes you have to say it louder for the people in the back. The Killers can get away with this type of thing because no matter how schmaltz Flowers gets, you can here hints of the Joy Division in the back of his throat. Pair this with some absolutely chilling footage from master film maker Spike Lee and you have a potent combination. Have we become so cynical and apathetic to not allow ourselves some unapologetic vulnerability? Lord knows we need it now more than ever. 7.8/10
Ben Stephanus
Can’t wipe that wind blown smile from across my face
It’s just the old man and me
Washing his truck at the Sinclair station
In the land of the free
His mother Adeline’s family came on a ship
Cut coal and planted a seed
Down in them drift mines of Pennsylvania
In the land of the free
In land of the free
When I go out in my car I don’t think twice,
But if you’re the wrong color skin
You grow up looking over both your shoulders
In the land of the free
And we got more people locked up than the rest of the world
Right here in red white and blue
Incarceration’s become big business
And it’s harvest time out on the avenue
In the land of the free
Move on, there’s nothing to see
So how many daughters?
Tell me how many sons
Do we have to put in the ground
Before we just break down and face it?
We’ve got a problem with guns
In the land of the free
Down at the border
They’re gonna put up a wall
With concrete and rebar steel beams
High enough to keep all those filthy hands off of our hopes and our dreams
People who just want the same thing we do
In the land of the free