Imagine Dragons - Smoke + Mirrors

[Aquacorde]

yoooo so I downloaded this album when it was released what, a few weeks ago? and i really like it? I didn't like it a lot first time through but all the songs have grown on me. It's very different from their first album and I think the problem I had was expecting it to have the same tone as that, but once I got over that idea it's really good I think. Trouble is probably my fav at this point but Hopeless Opus is rad as well. I know a few people *cough*Matt*cough* have been saying Imagine Dragons have hit their sophomore slump or whatever but I'm not sure that's the case? I guess not many of them are really hits or as super energetic as what they had on Night Visions but it's good in a different way.

 

[Pepperton]

I love Imagine Dragons, and I had high hopes for Smoke + Mirrors, and while it isn't bad, it isn't as good as I thought it would be. Maybe not so far as a slump, but a slight downgrade. They're still amazing though!

 

[Hikamaru]

I heard some tastes of this album, but yeah I do think Imagine Dragons suffered a case of "sophomore slump". It lacked the edginess of Night Visions and makes me believe they're trying to appeal to a more mainstream pop audience, and I know how much that can ruin someone's music to me because I prefer quality over popularity.

Given how epic of a song I remembered Radioactive was, it makes me cringe.

 

[Nick]

The first half of the album is great, but the rest of it is definitely something that I can't keep myself interested in, which is a bust for me since I like to listen to albums as a whole.

 

[Pendraflare]

Even though i'm not a major album person nowadays, I can understand what this album has gotten flack for. For one, I didn't care for I Bet My Life at all - Dan Reynolds' style was not something I got into on that one. The second major single, though, Shots, some people have compared that to U2 and I think it has that going for it. But this doesn't sound like anything i'll really go out of my way for.

Although it's amazing that Night Visions has been on the Billboard 200 for the entirety of the time it's existed but never reached #1, and yet this debuts at #1. Guess this was highly anticipated, yet how many people it held up for I don't know.

 

[Lunarose]

I gave the album two full listens and I don't like it that much to be honest.
I was hoping maybe it'll grow on me but I just haven't gotten that feeling listening to it yet.
The only songs I really like are Shots and Thief. I like Gold's lyrics but the way it sounds is kinda...boring? idk.
The rest of them are meh or don't stand out to me.

 

[Thursday]

I got the super deluxe version (I bought the Deluxe version and then just grabbed the other 3 songs from Google Music) and I like most of their songs.The beginning is good but it tapers down into not as good, except for near the end, since I love the last 4 songs. I'm So Sorry is probably my favorite song on the album. I just love the deep bass and darker sound. Polaroid and Trouble are also really good.

I feel like the first album showed their excitement at being signed on and getting their music out. It's mostly upbeat with catchy beats and lyrics. The second album is more along the lines of them finally getting into the business and being wore down (?) by everything that's happening. It's not what they expected.

That's my 2 cents on the topic. Good album but strays away from what made them big, which isn't bad.

 

[El Héroe Oscuro]

This album sucks. Definitely does not have the same magic or appeal that Night Visions had.

 

[Blazinbones]

Never heard of the group...What song should I listen to if i want to get a good idea of their work?

 

[Dedenne1]

Firstly i love imagine dragons they are currently my favorite band/artist/whatevs!
I listened partly through the album and so far i like almost song so i wouldnt say theyre going downhill at all. Although Nightvisions will stay better in my mind still as. Nightvisions is my favorite and had likely better songs than this one. But overall i like it so far although the rest of the album i havent heard so maybe the rest may not be as good hmmm.