Summary:The third full-length release for the Las Vegas rock band features production from Alex da Kid, Jayson DeZuzio, John Hill, Joel Little, and Mattman & Robin.
EVOLVE feels very much like the digital zeitgeist of 2017: good intentions aside, its bold, colorful textures elbow aside any notions of introspection or reflection.
There’s not enough quality across the whole of Evolve to convincingly make the case that Imagine Dragons actually have, or to attract an audience of new listeners. Evolve is a good idea, but in practise it turns out that it doesn’t really work.
Evolve involves mostly devolving back into the hoariest of tired rock cliches (including what sounds like roto-toms), and plodding grimly towards the summer’s festivals.
They’re aiming for a rockier sound--Walking The Wire has a guitar solo that could conceivably be influenced by U2 if you stick your head under a pillow before hitting play – but, as one listen to opener I Don’t Know Why amply demonstrates, it just comes off like Michael Bolton dad-dancing to Justin Timberlake at a family wedding. Pop deserves better. Rock deserves better. We all deserve better.
A jewel of the current pop rock and perhaps too advanced for its time because it did not receive the recognition of part of the professionalA jewel of the current pop rock and perhaps too advanced for its time because it did not receive the recognition of part of the professional criticism it deserves. A unanimous concept that will not bore you and that you will surely enjoy.…Expand
A fantastic album. It's no night visions but a definite improvement from smoke and mirrors. the best songs (almost all of them) portray theA fantastic album. It's no night visions but a definite improvement from smoke and mirrors. the best songs (almost all of them) portray the struggle of overcoming depression through perseverance and determination. i don't know why, believer, thunder, i'll make it up to you, rise up. start over are definite musts, each mixing their typical rock genre with a different edm flavor that makes it irresistable to your ears. as fantastic as the album is, it does have two misfires. yesterday sounds like imagine dragons is having a blast but the nonsensical lyrics are hard to ignore and take away from the otherwise fun and uplifting song. i still don't understand why imagine dragons chose to end their album with dancing in the dark because it throws the album off the rails. i was so ready to give this album a full 10 out of 10 by i can't just because of this song alone. it's not bad, it just has nothing to do with the narrative, it almost sounds like it belongs on a different album. i was hoping start over was the end of the album that would leave listeners feeling energized and inspired. but instead we get this doozy of a track that is the not the best thing imagine dragons has ever done. overall evolve is a welcome change in imagine dragons already amazing discography. even if you're skeptical you should give it a listen. who knows? you may find your new favorite song.…Expand
While this album didn't come across as impressive on the first listen, the songs grew on me over time. Got addicted in the end.
Great job,While this album didn't come across as impressive on the first listen, the songs grew on me over time. Got addicted in the end.
Great job, and could see that there is a more polished/refined sound this time round. Indeed, less has translated to more. Really really loved "Rise Up", "I Don't Know Why", "Thunder", "Believer"...
I get why people are not very satisfied with the album. They see that it appears to be boring. But I mean, it's really up to your own tastes and preferences. It just happens that I enjoy their music.
For those first-time listeners, I wouldn't suggest judging this band solely on armchair critics, but to give it a listen yourself. And don't just listen to it once, like a fleeting memory in a faraway land. Listen to it a few times, then you can judge it appropriately for yourself. I remember dismissing and stopping a song once when I heard the opening rift, but it turned out to be a wonderful song in disguise after I listened.…Expand
I'm still listening to it but so far so good, I've always liked Imagine dragons but i think this album is not as good as the others, whatever,I'm still listening to it but so far so good, I've always liked Imagine dragons but i think this album is not as good as the others, whatever, I'll probably listen it for hours. Also is shorter than other albums, it only has 14 tracks which 4 of them we already have listened and one of them is a remix that has been heard before. By the way, i'm writing this while listening believer and feeling bad because Imagine Dragons is my favorite band so they don't deserve bad critics. To sum up:
- Good songs
- Less songs than other albums
- A remix, really?
- Good cover and video clips
- Recommended but it's not a masterpiece…Expand
In fairness, I understand the concept the band were going for and I appreciate that the lead singer was going through some toughWhoops...
In fairness, I understand the concept the band were going for and I appreciate that the lead singer was going through some tough times. Sadly this doesn't translate very well in terms of the quality of the music. I absolutely love I Don't Know Why, Whatever It Takes, Believer and Thunder, but the rest of it is really forgettable and comes across as 'filler-trying-to-be-more' which is a shame.
4/10, + 1 because the aforementioned songs are SO GOOD…Expand
A total disaster. It came out as such a big disappointment after two beautiful albums, especially the debut one. They really need to changeA total disaster. It came out as such a big disappointment after two beautiful albums, especially the debut one. They really need to change the producer, because this album is the opposite to evolution.…Expand
