Review Summary: Imagine Dragons' first acknowledged ep is a catchy release that shows their mainstream potential.
Imagine Dragons’ self-titled debut ep was released long before the band would achieve mainstream success. It did, however, showcase their mainstream potential. Highlight “Curse” is a prime example of this, armed with a chorus so catchy, and with well-placed “Oh’s,’’ that you probably can’t get it out of your head for the rest of the day. Combining that with great instrumentation, including a cool bass line, and you have yourself a truly fantastic rock song. But that song isn’t the only catchy track on this album with hit potential. Songs like “I need a Minute” and “Uptight ” too are catchy in their own right, although they don’t work as well as “Curse”. The chorus of the latter especially is a bit lacking: Imagine Dragons don’t fulfill the slight rough edge of the song that well, and the desperate pleading “go” from frontman Dan Reynolds doesn’t work well with the rest of the chorus. Another track that doesn’t quite work is “Cover Up”. It has average verses and the “Oh’s” are, unlike the “Oh’s” in “Curse”, more irritating than an invitation to sing along.
Imagine Dragons isn’t all just energy and catchy choruses though. Closer “Drive” shows a more melodic and laid-back side of Imagine Dragons, and does that exceptionally well. It’s a calming song with a cool guitar solo at the end, while still remaining quite catchy. This ep in general is clearly more guitar-oriented than their stuff after their breakthrough. Not saying that there are no guitars in their songs anymore, but on here they are more prominent. Guitarist Daniel Wayne Sermon has the limelight on several occasions and makes full use of his chance to shine, particularly in the guitar solo during the bridge of “Uptight’’. With that said, “Drive” is really the only moment that the energy and catchiness isn’t the main point on the ep.
Imagine Dragons thrives on energy and catchy choruses, and Imagine Dragons handles it damn well: every track on here is catchy and infectious as hell. Imagine Dragons isn't a special ep but ti doesn't have to be when it's so damn fun. A ep that’s just fun can definitely be amazing, unfortunately is
Imagine Dragons not consistent enough for that, although it still works as a fun and exciting listen.
