I think it would be fair to say that we, here at Consequence of Sound, generally share a more favorable view of an artist such as Bruce Springsteen than we do of an artist such as Brandon Flowers of The Killers. Ok, so maybe it’s a little more than just a “favorable” view – Bruce apologists might be a better description, but the first step is admitting, right?

Anyhow, you could probably imagine our surprise, and utter horror when word surfaced yesterday evening that Mr. Flowers joined Mr. Springsteen & The E Street Band for a performance of “Thunder Road” during the band’s headlining set at this weekend’s Pinkpop Festival. Well, the video has since surfaced, and we must say, this time, we applaud you, Mr. Flowers. Not only did you drop the over-the-top antics and bird feather costumes in favor of a sense of normalcy, and even humility!, but your vocal performance was actually quite decent – Conor Oberst has nothing on you! – and for that, color us impressed.

We’ll put any other snide comments or suggestions that Bruce should open an academy for reforming today’s frontmen aside, and let you get a taste for yourself below…