No stopping Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons made its major label debut only two years ago but it has already been hailed as one of the best and most successful among the new batch of rock bands. It was the much-acclaimed debut album Night Visions with the phenomenal selling single Radioactive that did the trick for these guys who once earned their keep performing covers in Las Vegas casinos. There was no more stopping them after that.

Just take a look at all the awards that they had been honored with since. Five trophies from the Billboard Awards including Top Rock Artist and Band of the Year; Rolling Stone Magazine named Radioactive, the Biggest Rock Hit of 2013; Radioactive is also the most downloaded rock song in music history; MTV called them the Biggest Breakout Band of that same year; Fans voted them the Favorite Alternative Artist at the American Music Awards; and they got the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for Radioactive on their very first nomination.

I am not surprised then that Imagine Dragons’ second album, Smoke and Mirrors, is another well-produced collection of pop rock originals that went to No. 1 on its first day out in the market last February. Again, the band’s excellent songwriting skills are very much in evidence and lead singer Dan Reynolds’ big, dramatic singing makes the songs soar. 

Three singles have been released; the anthemic I Bet My Life, with its big commercial chorus; Gold, with excellent guitar work and a hook that grows on you; and Shots, which is simply great to dance to. Should they decide to do a third single, I think they should go for either the breezy driving track Summer or the divine classic rocker It Comes Back To You.

Time now to brush up on your Dragon knowledge by listening to Night Visions and Smoke and Mirrors. You would not want to be caught flat-footed with unknown songs when you go to watch the band perform. Imagine Dragons will be at the SM MOA Arena on Aug. 27 and they will do all their hits, plus lots more from their two albums. 

Tickets are priced at P10,560 (VIP); P8,980 (Patron); P6,870 (Lower Box A); P5,280 (Lower Box B); P3,170 (Upper Box); and P2,110 (General Admission). Call 470-2222 for tickets or better yet go to smtickets.com. 

Imagine Dragons is composed of Wayne Sermon on lead and rhythm guitars and background vocals; Ben McKee on bass guitar, keyboards and background vocals; Dan Platzman on drums, percussion, acoustic guitar and background vocals; and Reynolds on lead vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar and percussion. 

And now, a look at what sort of music is in the US charts this week as per the Billboard listings. The Top 20 albums are: Woman by Jill Scott; DS2 by Future; VII Strum Und Drang by Lamb of God; 1989 by Taylor Swift; Southpaw: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture by Eminem and others; X by Ed Sheeran; Not An Apology by Bea Miller; Dreams Worth More Than Money by Meek Mill; Montevallo by Sam Hunt; Black Rose by Tyrese.

We Came As Romans by We Came As Romans; Calibraska by Jack and Jack; If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late by Drake; Title by Meghan Trainor; In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith; Angels And Alcohol by Alan Jackson; Pound Syndrome by Hopsin; V by Maroon 5; American Beauty/ American Psycho by Fall Out Boy; and Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots. 

The Top 20 singles are: Cheerleader by OMI; Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd; Watch Me by Silento; Bad Blood by Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar; See You Again by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth; Lean On by Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. M0; Trap Queen by Fetty Wap; My Way also by Fetty Wap feat. Monty; Fight Song by Rachel Platten; Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon.

The Hills by The Weeknd; Where Are You Now by Skrillex & Diplo with Justin Bieber; Good For You by Selena Gomez feat. A$AP Rocky; Honey I’m Good by Andy Grammer; Worth It by Fifth Harmony feat. Kid Ink; 679 by Fetty Wap feat. Remy Boyz; Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars; Hey Mama by David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack; Cool For The Summer by Demi Lovato; and Photograph by Ed Sheeran.