It isn’t very often when you find an album where you can listen to it all the way through and like every single song on it.

In 2012 Imagine Dragons released their album “Night Visions” that did just that.

Each song from “It’s Time” to “Radioactive” became an instant hit and was all over commercials, movies and radio stations, an instant success that astounded listeners all over the country.

You could practically pick any song at random and it would be a hit.

So when Imagine Dragons announced that they would release a new album three years after their previous album their fans were hyped up for it.

Then “Smoke + Mirrors” happened and disappointment quickly arose.

The 13 song sound track has absolutely no good songs on it at all.

After repeating forcing myself to listen to this album and trying to make myself like it, it still isn’t happening.

Usually there is at least one good song off an entire album that gets glorified on the radio but “Smoke + Mirrors” didn’t even accomplish that.

Although Imagine Dragons is known for having a unique and different sound in each of their songs it didn’t work in their favorite for their second album.

Many of the songs from their latest release don’t even sound like them.

Lead Singer of Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynold, has a very distinct tone to his voice that comes off as scratchy techno.

The song “Friction” is a good example of how terrible this album is. Gone are the catchy melodies from “Night Visions,” replaced by the sound of a band attempting to be edgy.

It’s nearly impossible to listen to and if you can listen to the whole thing than you deserve a trophy.

The band’s debut album “Night Visions” has sold over 2 million copies in the U.S., and it has been certified platinum in 12 countries.
The album is also certified gold in multiple countries.

Imagine Dragons won an American Music Award for Favorite Alternative Artist, a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance, five Billboard Music Awards, and a World Music Award.

In May 2014, the band was nominated for a total of fourteen different Billboard Music Awards, including Top Artist of the Year and a Milestone Award, recognizing innovation and creativity of different artists across different genres.

Unfortunately, it isn’t expected for “Smoke + Mirrors” to be as successful as their past album “Night Visions.”

A good band or musician is always constantly improving.

It’s disappointing when a band has already hit their peak with their first album which is practically a false first impression.

Although it is unfair to expect your favorite band to never change and to keep producing music that you know you’ll like, it’s still upsetting to have to say that a band, “used to be good.”

Rosa Johnson can be reached at [email protected].