Smoke + Mirrors
Imagine Dragons, $5.99
KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
This review was submitted by Olivia Bonner, a fourth grade from Florida.
First thing you notice about Imagine Dragons is that their songs are very…how do I put this? Visceral? Artful? Both? Well, just, let me put this simply—good.
Have you ever found a band or musical artist and you just love their music so much and you can’t listen to anything else and—well, you get the point. That’s me with this album, or rather just Imagine Dragons overall.
You are probably screaming at your device, computer, etc., for me to get to the point. We are getting there, we are getting there. Let me introduce Imagine Dragons.
Imagine Dragons formed in November 2008, and formed a series of grassroots by releasing a series of EPs and gathered a large following in the city of Las Vegas, which, did I mention is where they are from. They first gained exposure with their breakthrough single, “It’s Time” which stayed the Top 10s for over a YEAR. Followed by the Grammy-winning hit single, “Radioactive.” Again, brief summary of Imagine Dragons, put in a few words. One of the most successful bands of the 2010s.
Okay, Smoke + Mirrors. I love this album because it so visceral, yet artful. Smoke + Mirrors holds a trophy up high for a single that was on the top of the charts for over a year. The single, “Bet My Life,” has a powerful, tribal-inspired drumbeat and powerful words, woven into a wonderful melody. In the same year the album Smoke + Mirrors was released, they won five, YES FIVE, Billboard Music Awards.
Some of my favorites from the album are “Bet My Life,” which I’ve already told you about. “Summer,” which I love because the song is pure motivation. I love its message: “Be who you are meant to be.” —Tim Cantor, artist Of Imagine Dragons’ track and album art. I love “Summer” because it feels so free. We often feel trapped and silent in our world that’s too loud. When I listened to this, I felt free.
My last favorite on this album, though there are many good songs on this album, is “The Fall.” It’s exactly what you hear in its name. “The Fall” seems cold and harsh, but in the end, you are inside with your family eating pumpkin pie and sipping tea. The song is both of those things. It’s very visceral, yet low-laying. I just picture this inside my head whenever I listen to this song. I imagine a person in overcast weather, walking up to a withered oak. Suddenly, leaves start growing. But then again, suddenly, the leaves turn to gold and crumble away.
I think other TIPsters would really like this album because it captures intense emotion with light, easy-to-listen-to songs. But you decide for yourself though. I hope you enjoy Smoke + Mirrors!