Using Music to Write

A Writer’s Quest for the Right Soundtrack

Imagine Dragons
Smoke + Mirrors Album Review

First and full disclaimer. If you are looking for an album like Night Visions, know that you are not going to even come close to getting it with Smoke + Mirrors.

I find myself trying not to be disappointed with this album, but Night Visions was a very special thing, too special as its creators just released a second child, the less talented, not as cute, will always stand in the shadow of firstborn, child.

Album feels happy with popish melodies, but when you listen to the lyrics, it would seem front-man Dan Reynolds is still struggling with depression. I get the feeling that Reynold’s is inspired lyrically when he is lamenting over life’s hardships. Smoke + Mirrors changed the vibe of Imagine Dragons in that it feels pop and not alternative in today’s sense, not to be confused with traditional alternative such as Nirvana’s sound. Modern alternative could have been measured on Imagine Dragon’s first album Night Visions.

I almost wish I had found this album first. I would have met Smoke + Mirrors, become intrigued by the similarities it had with past loves like Mumford and Sons, the Black Keys, and maybe even Awolnation. But I already met the hot older brother Night Visions, a situation in which he had me at “Radioactive.”

I just want to give “Radioactive” a bit of attention, as it was unlike anything I had ever heard before and the inspiration set the tone for the entire Tent City series. Think about that. Using one song to use as inspiration for tone for writing two books, not one. Two. I listened to that for a year straight while writing that series. It wasn’t just that song, it was the whole album. For a girl who writes dystopian, end of the world type stories, Night Visons was like a dream come true.

Let’s breakdown Smoke + Mirrors

Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons

1. Shots, 80s techno feel, Reynolds strong vocals. This album as per prediction, is heavy percussion. I don’t mind that at all.

2. Gold, Starts off a bit stilted, but had me with the whistling and strong vocals by Reynolds. You’ll catch yourself whistling this cryptic tune long after the music has stopped. You might find yourself wanting to stalk something, maybe the mailman or the kids who come home and don’t see you hiding behind the door. The haunted feel with the lyrics “when everything you touch turns to Gold” makes me think Reynolds is wondering how long his 15 minutes of fame are going to last after the run of the last album and it’s intense popularity.

3. Smoke and Mirrors, title track. Mystical beginning. Reynolds is known to hit the high notes and I have to say I really prefer when he doesn’t. This track may be one I find myself hitting the fast forward button on. It has the potential to grow on me, but it hasn’t yet.

4. I’m So Sorry. This is one of the better tracks. I really want to hear this live in a dark basement (Varsity Theatre would be totally acceptable) with no more than 100 people filling the room, all jamming together, knit in tight, close to the stage, Reynolds banging on that monster drum in sequences that shove my heartbeat back into my chest. I want have a pink streak in my hair, a pair of Flashdance leg warmers, and a black Misfits t-shirt baring one lonely shoulder. I want to be swept away in the crowd and take part in a jam session most memorable for that monster drum and a band lead whose talent is rivaled only by a sincerity that pours out of his music. When the dank basement is not available, I’ll have to settle for listening loud and in my headphones, preferably home alone because this is a song you feel yourself moving to. Midway slows down and really makes you just want to sit and listen as Reynolds sings a lullaby to you. Then he starts jamming again and it brings a smile to your face. This is going to be an album I really want to see live just for the jam factor, for this song alone. This song reminds me of the The Black Keys, particularly the tune The Lonely Boy off El Camino album and Everlasting Light off the Brothers album, and that only adds to Smoke + Mirrors.

5. I Bet My Life On You, previously released single. Reynolds talks about problems he had with his parents when he was younger, more than likely because of the path he chose despite his Mormon background. As far as the message in the songs, this is one of my favorites. He clearly chased his dreams despite the misgivings of Mom and Dad, but ultimately gives them the utmost respect and love singing “There’s you in everything I do.” I’ve also considered that this may not be about his parents and possibly God. The lyrics work either way.

6. Polaroid. Here Imagine Dragons brings in some other instruments, one being some kind of windy percussion.

7. Friction, this one sounds most like the rock that the boys in my life listen to. Doesn’t feel authentic to what Reynolds usually offers. I really hope he doesn’t stray too far in this direction.

8. It Comes Back to You, really liking this one, although I wish Reynolds would avoid the high notes. It’s not that he can’t sing them; I just prefer it when he sings lower, the conversational, acoustic way or belting it out in the bad boy lyrical genius he’s created before. I’m talking about the moment like we had 40 seconds deep into “Radioactive” where he uses a raspy sort of belief he’s really “breathing in the chemicals” before rewarding us with a unique, desperate sounding inhale and exhale deep into the mic, with drums invading in the background - only adding a new layer of texture to the moment, giving us a real feel for impending doom. That song is a genuine invite to experience the post-apocalyptic world.

9. Dream, soft and soulful. I can’t decide if Reynolds feels like he’s leaving his dark past behind or if he still has “Demons” that continue to chase him. Mostly, I just want to shake him and whisper in his ear, “no worries friend, you’ve made it. Enjoy the ride.” I will admit, this album’s lyrics really make me wonder if Reynold’s is hiding some deep dark secret.

10. Trouble, this one has a Mumford and Sons feel to it.

11. Summer, dreamy song not quite catching me. It feels a little cheesy with plays on words about summer and “Fall in love with what you mean to me.” It feels a little like album filler.

12. Hopeless Opus. The only interesting thing I could find in this song were the intermittent Pac Man sounds that add to the 80s vibe of this album. If you’ve gotten this far in the album, as I have, you might find yourself either wondering what’s got Dan Reynold’s so upset. I would have to say the tone of this entire album is something along the lines of “Reaching the Top” of all his goals and dreams and not knowing what to do with it, how long it will last or if he even deserves to be there. It’s too bad it takes so long to create a new album because I would be really interested to see what it sounds like when Dan realizes he has made it and that it’s okay to enjoy it.

13. The Fall, forgettable.

Best of the Album: Gold, I’m So Sorry, It Comes Back to You

Overall Impression: With all other unrealistic expectations set aside, it’s a decent album. I find myself a little disappointed, as my vision of writing my next novel to this album disappear. I’ll continue to listen to the new album, searching for new things to appreciate, but as I dig deeper into the next novel, I may find myself resorting back to “Night Visions.” If you’re an Imagine Dragons fan, do yourself a favor and add this to your collection.