If you spoke to me after the release of Hot Fuss, I would have told you that The Killers were one of the most exciting, important bands of the last ten years. On hearing Sam's Town, I was convinced they were. Day and Age makes me question my own judgement.

'Losing Touch' is a promising start to the album. Its twinkling opening bars blend seamlessly into the most addictive bass line on the record and it finishes with a beautifully grand guitar solo. Adding the generous helping of brass, there are shades of Roxy Music. It hinted at a great album to come.

That anticipation makes the transition to 'Human' incredibly disappointing. This song never takes off; there are points when you think it might, but they persistently fail to deliver. 'Spaceman' summons up memories of Bowie, which only serves to remind you how poorly it compares. On the first play it seems like it might be a (reasonably) sunny, upbeat Killers pop song, but it actually gets duller with every time you hear it.

There is a general la ck of presence; older Killers' songs seem so much more powerful. Songs from their first albums command your attention. You won't find another 'Mr. Brightside' or 'When You Were Young' here. 'Goodnight, Travel Well' is a splendid, almost glowing album-closer, and probably the best track on the record (if you get any track from the album, get this), other than that, this album is mostly ignorable. 'A Crippling Blow' is a nice addition to it, but I wouldn't go so far as to say the special edition is much better than the initial release.

Brandon Flowers is a brilliant lyricist and the lyrics are this album's saving grace. They have lost no momentum since the previous record and have kept their distinctive narrative. Whether he's stretching his story-telling muscles in "A Dustland Fairytale" or asking us irksome, grammatically-disputed questions, he rarely fails to please.

Crucially, this record has its moments, but is ultimately disappointing, especially when you consider how good The Killers can be. Having set the bar so high with Hot Fuss; perhap s their other releases are doomed to be always overshadowed and we'll never give the records the attention they deserve. But as for this album, I remain underwhelmed. I am human. I won't be dancing.

Lucy Bryant