B-side collections are often risky endeavours. Effectively, what's on offer are the tracks that weren't good enough to make the first cut - and, unless a band's A-side material is incredibly good, it seems pointless to celebrate the second-rate. The Killers, having won the hearts of millions with their thoroughly enjoyable debut Hot Fuss, dashed the dreams of many with its uber-Springsteen-influenced, sub-U2 rip-off Sam's Town. Now on a 'hiatus' before beginning work on their third record, the Las Vegas quartet have released Sawdust as a tribute to 'the fans' - and of course, as a nice little earner to keep them tided over financially in the meantime. Sawdust is a collection of b-sides, covers and re-recordings, with one new song thrown into the mix (the Lou Reed-guesting Tranquilize - a completely unremarkable, dark, guitar-based song, before you ask) and a Jacques Lu Cont remix of Mr. Brightside (disappointingly run-of-the-mill for an artist of Lu Cont's stature). Their version of Joy Division's Shadowplay, meanwhile, manages to turn a dark, intense song into a schmaltzy rock anthem - and the less said about that Dire Straits cover, the better. 90% of Sawdust is completely unessential listening, but there is certainly the odd gem that will catch you off-guard. Under the Gun, for example, could easily have sat alongside Hot Fuss's best tracks, 'When You Were Young' flipside All the Pretty Faces eclipses its supposed better-half, and the cover of First Edition's country classic Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town is delightful. Nonetheless, Sawdust is an album for ardent Killers disciples only. The 78 minute running-time makes it excruciatingly painful to weed out the scarce treasures, and even when you've managed to unearth them, they still leave a disappointingly barren taste in your mouth.
