"When we got away from cliches, our shows started really getting better," Flowers points out.

"You become mindful that people are coming to see a band that's well-rehearsed," added drummer Ronnie Vannucci. "Burning the candle at both ends could hinder performance."

"I think we smartened up and were a little bit more selective of when we were going to go paint the town red," Flowers says with a smile.

Now on its fourth album, the band's impressive live show is coming to a screen near you.

"The Killers: Live From The Royal Albert Hall" was recorded earlier this year in London at the prestigious 138-year old venue. The CD/DVD set, to be released Tuesday, also features extra footage, including backstage interviews and excerpts from their performances at the Oxygen and V Festivals as well as a Hyde Park concert.

Flowers credits London as the place where their success began.

"We wanted to capture that and thank them," Flowers says. "The energy is different (there). It's not a part of our culture to celebrate music here the way they do across the Atlantic."

The soft-spoken Flowers commands the stage like a modern-day crooner, except that he fronts a rock band instead of an orchestra, and wears "guyliner" and feather epaulettes on his blazer (at other times, he opts for a gilded suit).

Despite the boldness of his stage attire, the Killers lead singer doesn't see himself as a style icon.

"I'm just trying not to look stupid, and apparently some people don't think I'm doing a very good job," Flowers says, then breaks into a gentle laugh.

They've been touring for their latest album, "Day & Age," for more than a year and expect to be on the road for a good part of 2010. Spreading their flamboyant brand of pop around the world is a highlight for the band's members, but they're also cognizant of its drawbacks.

Vanucci reduces the dilemma to a single word: "Airports." Then Flowers chimes, "To take off in the sky -- not natural. I'd rather be on the bus on the ground." Immediately, Vannucci interjects, "Somebody's scared to fly," before both break out in laughter.