Las Vegas Weekly : - Imagine Dragons

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Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons EP

Jeremy Adams

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 (2:45 p.m.)

"Imagine Dragons EP" MP3s

I Need a Minute

Uptight

More on Imagine Dragons

Since Panic! At the Disco emerged from the suburbs in 2005, Las Vegas has been looking for its next corporate musical phenomenon. At present, fast-rising quintet Imagine Dragons appears the most logical contender, especially since the band shares familial ties with Robert Reynolds, manager of another tiny homegrown act: The Killers.

Imagine Dragons

But is the Dragons’ crowning premature? Well, of course. The group’s debut EP shows promise on certain tracks (the driving, ’80s-electronica-inspired “Curse,” which delivers a Hot Fuss kind of immediacy), but falls short on others (“I Need a Minute” does little to distinguish ID from All-American Rejects or any number of other alt/emo/rock bands).

Yet the same elements critics hate—overwrought lyrics, a shlocky chorus, the pretension to sustain said elements for too long—are usually the ones label executives love. Imagine Dragons’ ascent is probably inevitable, but musically, the band still needs to earn its wings.

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10 Comments So Far

The band is definitely young- I heard they've only been together a few months which is crazy. But I think 2.5 stars is waay too low for this EP, especially compared with other local bands. I think they're awesome. And as soon as you see them live, you'll be sold. I'm telling you.

Posted by: katrinaholstadt on 10/21/09 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Created a log in just to say i disagree with this review. I've seen the Dragons multiple times and being a music critic myself I must say that you don't speak on behalf of "critics" when you say this has elements that "we" hate. I actually would say the opposite, they don't give into the usually candy pop that most radio friendly bands do, but rather ride the fine line of musical edge with the necessary pop to be considered popular. I would hope that this won't be another case of Las Vegas not giving the proper dues to a band before they spread their wings and fly. Let's not make this another case of The Killers. Imagine Dragons have their own completely separate sound and deserve a much higher rating than 2.5 stars. Let's give these hometown musicians the love and respect they deserve for representing us well (which doesn't happen often). Being a Las Vegas Weekly regular I am embarrassed by this review.

Posted by: trainer0746 on 10/22/09 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In regards to the excessively argumentative comment posted by trainer0746.
I created a log in just to say that you (trainer0746) are giving too much credit to The Killers and, in doing so, you also provide too much credit to Imagine Dragons. Yes, they are hometown bands, but does that mean we should automatically embrace 'townie' bands even if they are not so great?
Imagine Dragons is a young band with great potential talent. The Killers were also deserving of a 2.5 star rating when they were young (probably now at 3 stars). And let's be fair, The Killers don't have a pair of musical 'wings' to spread and fly.
Only the exceptionally gifted bands can thrive when they are first in bloom.
Back to the article -- well written and on point with a 2.5 star rating. You can't spread your wings and fly if you're already a 4 or 5 star band.

Posted by: mvp1877 on 10/22/09 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry mvp1877, but you have wiped out any hope of me or likeminded people viewing your comments as remotely credible. If The Killers, an epic rock band with a worldwide and lasting presence, "probably" get 3 stars in your eyes, who gets 5??? Are you one of those crazies that believes Radiohead is the God of music and all others are blasphemers? Killers are awesome. Dragons are awesome. You are crazy. End of story.

Posted by: mm36 on 10/22/09 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To go along with the 'star' rating system - here are a few of my 5 star picks:
Sam Cooke
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin

I think those three have a little more weight behind their music

Posted by: mvp1877 on 10/22/09 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did you guys see Imagine Dragons at the Bite of Las Vegas? They were awesome!!!!!!!!! The guitarist played this solo at the end that blew my mind..... You should see them live.

Posted by: jstrata23 on 10/22/09 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Huge fan of this band! This is a lame review.

Posted by: waytagojoe on 10/22/09 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mvp1877 - of course those bands are all 5 stars, that's not news to anyone. My only dispute was that 2.5 is too low for this EP. For their debut release I was more than satisfied with these 5 tracks. They show a lot of maturity and room for great things. It is anything BUT the classic bubble gum that we often hear on the radio and the critics pan. It holds depth and artistic integrity while also being extremely catchy. The reviewer was correct that this is exactly what label execs love, however it also holds true to art and creativity. Sorry, but I kindly have to disagree with this review on some aspects. You both make solid points about room for growth, and I'm sure we all look forward to seeing where they go, let's just agree on that point and put this to rest.

Posted by: trainer0746 on 10/22/09 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree. Well put. I look forward to seeing Imagine Dragons grow. They have a bright future.

Posted by: mvp1877 on 10/22/09 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG!!! I TOTALLY love this band! They are definitely the best band I have ever seen in Vegas, and I even live here! My girlfriends and I go to all of there shows and they are AMAZING every time! We just dance and get crazy and everyones like, who are those crazy girls! LOL!!! P.S. The guitarist is TOTALLY way cute!!! I LOVE YOU ID!!!

Posted by: BlondAndBriliant on 10/23/09 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)