The Killers

Be still my high school heart.

The Killers have returned from a two-year hiatus with their fourth studio album.

Frontman Brandon Flowers’ strained voice is back, highlighted throughout the album. The rest of the band shines with loud drumming and synth techniques reminiscent of their last album, “Day & Age.”

The album is best when it embraces the band’s classic format: quiet verse leading to epic chorus. “Flesh and Bone,” “Runaways” and “Miss Atomic Bomb” will join The Killers’ hall of fame for this.

Tracks like “Be Still” and “Here With Me” add depth to the album with some slower alternative-rock heartbreak. Lyrics focus on the clichéd topics of love, change and loss, but the presentation works.

Unfortunately, there are some duds. “The Rising Tide” tries too many classic rock techniques and ends up being stodgy for the progressive album.

Is the album as good as “Hot Fuss?” No, but will anything ever be as good as “Hot Fuss?”

By Sam Ostrowski