When rock music is a down to earth celebration of guitars, anthems and driving rhythms.Heavy on the guitars?
Yes, please!
Listened to Imagine Dragons and their latest album, Evolve, yet?
The band consists of four people: lead singer Dan Reynolds, lead guitarist Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee on bass and keyboards, and Daniel Platzman on drums.
I’m addicted to their single, Radioactive.
Evolve?
Rock. Album.
Beautiful rhythmic progressions.
Inspirational lyrics.
So here’s a track-by-track review of Imagine Dragons’ latest album:
(1,) I Don’t Know Why
The first track opens with a bass line.
The vocal melody sings a swing beat. The drums come in on a swing beat. Feels like a combo of easy listening and rock.
(2.) Whatever It Takes
Full-blown guitar instrumentation and vocals in the chorus.
The chorus is a celebration of going full-throttle for love.
Or for your goals.
Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do whatever it takes
‘Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains
Whatever it takes
You take me to the top I’m ready for
Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do what it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do whatever it takes
‘Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains
Whatever it takes
You take me to the top I’m ready for
Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do what it takes
‘Cause nothing inspires like an anthem that encourages listeners to go for it.
(3.) Believer
Heavy percussion. An instrumental swing beat comes in. Like synth marimba.
The chorus lifts listeners up by turning pain around.
Pain!
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Pain!
You break me down, you build me up, believer, believer
Pain!
Let the bullets fly, oh let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from…
Pain!
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Push past pain. Be a believer that you can make life epic.
(4.) Walking the Wire
Bright. Bold. Beautiful.
The song opens with a sustained guitar progression, building up tension. The song tells the story of walking the wire for love A beautiful use of metaphor to tell a concrete story about love.
(5.) Rise Up
Lyrical verse melody. The chorus vocal line sounds like a scream/sing.
The more I stray the less I fear
And the more I reach the more I fade away
The darkness right in front of me
Oh it’s calling out and I won’t walk away
I would always open up the door
Always looking up at higher floors
Want to see it all give me more (rise, rise up)
I was always up for making changes
Walking down the street meeting strangers
Flipping through my life turning pages (rise, rise up)
(6.) I’ll Make It Up to You
Lighter guitar instrumentation.
Drum beat is a kick beat. Not as heavy as the drums used in believer.
Feel-good love song.
(7.) Yesterday
Dramatic opening chord progressions. Using rests between the chords to add to the drama.
The voice touches on spoken pitch in the verse.
(8.) Mouth of the River
Light almost banjo-like instrumentation opens this number.
Heavy drums lead into the verse and the song starts with a fast-paced driving guitar rhythm.
(9.) Thunder
Timpani and bass mimic thunder. Beautiful imagery of the story of looking back on those who made fun of you in childhood
(10.) Start Over
Urban beats and synth.
(11.) Dancing in the Dark
Dreamy dance soundscape. R&B-esque slow jam. The bridge uses drums. No pop drop here.
The takeaway?
With lots of minor key melodies, lush and futuristic revolution-like vamps, Evolve encourages listeners to rise up.
Rise up and rock.
You got this.
Stream Evolve for revolutionary rock.
Monika Weatherly 