I have been listening to…Imagine Dragons.
I wrote a little about having new Filthy Friends on 9th September, and decided to carry on with the idea of me, middle aged woman, being introduced to ‘new stuff’ in regards to music.
Even more than drugs, I believe that shifts in perspective, challenging tastes and opinions are mind expanding. As humans age, we have a tremendous capacity to think our childhood was best, our music was not so ‘hard on the ears’, our opinions, politics, fashion etc, etc are/were better than ‘the young people of today’. We get stuck in our ways – well I don’t intend to age gracefully!
So, I have invited some ‘young people’ to challenge me, to suggest music; bands, solo artists, for me to listen to (shock, challenge, and make my music neurons wake up!) and I am starting off with Scott’s suggestion –
Imagine Dragons.
N.B: this is NOT a review – it’s simply an experiment in expanding my listening tastes.
What I listened to
1.Radioactive – now I had actually heard this song before. A slow burn verse towards a burst of a chorus. Some industrial effects; dripping water, what sounds like wind in a tunnel and then a squeaky toy!
What does it sound like to me? Pop/Rock
Did I like it? Yes
2. Thunder – kind of synth n drums thing going on. Lots of repetition of ‘Thunder’ and finger clicking.
What does it sound like to me? Pop. Like the 1980’s band Men At Work, if they updated their style.
Did I like it? Not really.
3.Believer – starts with a slow march beat, leading to some rap style lyrics before bursting into the chorus -You make me a believer .
What does it sound like to me? What I would call modern Rock.
Did I like it? Yes.
4. Whatever It Takes – kind of rap influenced verse? Synth drums? Chorus slows down the pace with a kind of choral background.
What does it sound like to me? Pop
Did I like it? No.
5.Demons – a slow stadium rock feel with no alteration in pace, tone or anything.
What does it sound like to me? Stadium Rock/Pop
Did I like it? Not really.
6.On Top of The World – opens with a cheery little clapping, whistling, keyboard overlaid by what sounds like something rolling. Solo voice in verse joined in chorus by multiple. Near the end is a set of recordings of President Nixon? And some industrial effects – then back to bouncy, Carribean tinged chorus.
What does it sound like to me? Like it can’t decide what it is.
Did I like it? Not much.
7. I Bet My Life – I could imagine a barn full of people doing line dancing to this one! Someone/something shrieking in the background is annoying! The chorus – I, I bet my life, I bet my life on you,I, I bet my life, I bet my life, I bet my life on you – is reminiscent of Ray Davis and the Kinks Days – Thank you for the days, Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me, I’m thinking of the days, I won’t forget a single day, believe me – has that same rhythm.(But not as good)
What does it sound like to me? Pop, gets it’s Stetson and boots on.
Did I like it? Not sure. Pretty much anything ‘country’ flavoured makes me baulk.
8.It’s Time – clapping, synth drums, tapping, something opening, banjo?! Slides into a short, smooth full-bodied chorus.
What does it sound like to me? A heavier early 90’s dance/pop tune.
Did I like it? Was okay.
9. Gold – slices of drums, whistling, speech before the singing begins. This is has a rougher, grimier feel than any of the others songs so far. Each bridge between verse and chorus slows to a slow stomp/march feel. Some ‘rock guitar’ solo at the end.
What does it sound like to me? Rock/Pop
Did I like it? I did actually.
10. Monster – a willowy guitar and synth intro suddenly turns to solid drum base. This sounded like another one – – just my imagination or did they run out of melodies? A nice strong chorus.
What does it sound like to me? By this point, it sounds like Imagine Dragons! Pop with a rock influence.
Did I like it? I did.
To round-up – I think I quite liked listening to Imagine Dragons, though I wouldn’t go out of my way to do it; I wouldn’t for instance, buy an album, although I might listen online amongst other stuff.
Was I challenged? No. Were my middle-aged-lady sensibilities offended? Not at all.
For my money, Imagine Dragons could be a whole lot better, if they quit trying to make songs that sell, i.e. Pop songs. They have potential to be great; if they used more of the experimental sounds, they have a variety of textures in their music which is overlaid by mainstream pop sounds.
I prefer the rougher, rockier, grimier pieces (later listened to I’m So Sorry, live recording – really liked it), to me, those pieces feel real. I’m not keen on their use of synthetic instrumentals; which is what some of it sounds like to me, I may be wrong, but I’d like to hear the rawness of actual drums, bass etc.
Flailing Through Life 