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The Killers

Learn English with this rock 'n' roll English lesson

Date: Dec 17 2012

Themes: Music

Grammar: Adjectives

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Most of the acts that fill arenas these days are either pop, like Justin Bieber, or classic rock like the Rolling Stones. The Killers, who formed in Las Vegas and had their first hit in 2004, are a rare contemporary rock band that can fill these giant venues with fans.

The Killers’ brand of dance rock made them stars, but on their latest album, Battle Born, they’re trying something new. The album is full of power ballads. Many of the songs are slow and emotional but still loud and perfect for an arena.

Mason is a huge fan of The Killers. Listen to him discuss one of his favorite bands with Jeff as you learn music English in this English lesson.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jeff

Mason

Jeff: Do you know the band the Killers?

Mason: Oh man, are you kidding me? I love the Killers!

Jeff: You do, huh? I’m not much of a fan myself, I’ve just been seeing that they have a new album out. Supposedly, it’s full of ballads. They want to reclaim the ballad.

Mason: Are you kidding me? How have I not heard of this? I have to go buy it tomorrow! I don’t believe you don’t like them, man…and they are doing ballads? How awesome is that!

Jeff: Yeah, I’m not a real ballad fan, and, you know, they’re OK. I just don’t pay attention to them or listen to their music. What exactly is it that you like about the Killers? Because I’m drawing blanks here.

Mason: Well, first of all, I feel like there’s not a lot of bands that get a lot of attention out there these days that are just a rock band, and I feel like they are a pretty solid rock band. And, I mean, the fact that they’re doing kind of a ballad thing doesn’t surprise me because they make their songs really epic and there’s a lot of storytelling that’s in them. So, I don’t know man, their first album was pretty catchy and their second album was just really awesome.

Jeff: Well, for you, I’m really hoping that this album of ballads is both catchy and awesome.

Mason: Thanks, buddy.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Mason thinks the Killers are a solid rock band. He is a big fan, so he is surprised to learn that he didn’t know they have a new album.

Jeff doesn’t know much about the album, but he says it’s full of power ballads. That doesn’t surprise Mason because The Killers’ music is often epic and catchy.

Power ballads were very popular in the ‘80s, but not a lot of contemporary artists play them now. Mason thinks if anyone can bring the ballad back, it’s the Killers.

Do you like power ballads? What is your favorite rock band? Have you ever been to a concert in an arena?

Comments

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kotlesya

Belarus

julito, wait, don’t skip :)))) Julio Iglesias are divine singer. I always loved him.

His son is also talented man. I’m in the delight from the songs hi sings, especially “Somebody’s me” ;)

I will pull out all the stops to be able to attend the concert of Julio or Enrique Iglesias or both of them at once in case they will be in my city ;) I pray for it

julito

Argentina

Good morning everybody… if you ´ll excuse me , I skip this topic, I am from an older generation and my musical taste is far removed from rock bands, I prefer jazz bands, standards, tangos ,Sinatra,Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias and the likes, but i´ll remain online reading your interesting feedbacks on this lesson. Wink…....

Nina__smith

Australia

the killers?they are a famous group and yes i love their new album battle born:)

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

is it shame to me?i didn’t know this group:(but i read this story and i get this group is very famous and some people like them,i don’t know i should be agree with Mason or not,first i should check or find their new album battle born,and after listen to their songs say i’m agree or not:)

knuschu

Germany

I can’t place my taste of music in a category. I like good music ;) When I was a teen I was listening Pink Floyd for hours. Some years ago we spend a short vacation in London and just at these weekend were playing REM and Queen. Tickets were to expensive for us, but we sat in front of the concert place on the green with a bottle of wine and could listen to the music. It was so fantastic!

Normaly I prefer silence music or trance. By the way – my favorit christmas song is the “December Song” by George Michael! Unfortunately our local radio stations are playing only the known Wham “Last christmas” ;-)

kotlesya

Belarus

“The killers” don’t speak to me. From the new album “Battle Born” they had recently out the only two songs “From Here on Out” and “Carry me home” more or less speak to me the rest ones are not. I agree their songs are easy to sing along and remember, but they don’t move me, sorry, guys.

“Aerosmith” is band for all times. It is a solid rock band! It will never be forgotten or “out of fashion”. Such famous power ballads as “Amazing”, “Angel”, “Crazy”, “Season of Winter”, “Dream on”... the list is endless.

Except of “Aerosmith” I am a fan of Nickelback. Each song Nickelback sings touchs me to the deepiest parts of my soul. Nickelback plays many nice power ballads too. I swear I love all of them, but for those who don’t know this band listen “Trying not to love you” for example, on purpose to get any idea. ;)

“Have you ever been to a concert in an arena?” – yes, of course many times. I’m crazy about music. The last concert I had visited in an arena was the concert of Nickelback!!!!! I’m still under the impression from their performance. ;) I wish Aerosmith would come to my city!!!!

senyanya

Russian Federation

Yep,I like this kind of music.My favorite rock bands are the Scorpions,Metallica,Aerosmith and Nirvana (it’s not rock band,but I think it close).No,I have never been to a concert in an arena.

mojtaba

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

no.I don’t like this kind of music I perefer classic music beacuse they songs are very sedative

Shirin 1801

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I completely agree with ola33

Scorpions rock these days but I’m sure the best one is Nothing Else Matters…the all songs played by Metallica (Exept the last album :| ) are epic n catchy….as they talk abt what in the word really is…but not other bands go for them :|

but between all the rock bands I love Led Zeppelin….the best ever been with their amazing seductive songs….my favorites r Stairway to Heaven and Kashmir