ALBUM REVIEW: Loom by Imagine Dragons

  A while before this album came out, I wrote a whole blog post about how I was kinda disappointed in the direction this album was headed. I had the idea that if this album was a stinker, combined with some other things, I might launch an impeachment inquiry into Imagine Dragons to remove them from my top ten. 

  I would like to make an announcement: I will not be moving forward with the impeachment inquiry (fun fact, to this day Maroon 5 remains the only band to be impeached out of my top ten, and I still like their music). That should be a good sign, right? Well, let's get into it.

1. "Wake Up": 6/10

   It's fine. I'm kinda caught between giving it a 7, but I think I will go with the 6. It's a decent song, it just doesn't stick out and I think the album has better spots. It also has worse, though. It does a pretty good job opening the album. 

2. "Nice to Meet You": 7/10

    This one's good. I'll give them this one. It's not a rock song at all, but so what? It seems to be about Dan Reynolds making his way back into the dating scene after things with his now ex-wife officially ending. 

3. "Eyes Closed": 7/10

   This one was the first single from the album, and it's pretty good. Though I'd say slightly worse than the last one. I kinda like the blending of genres here: it's partly a rock song, partly pop, and partly even dubstep. 

4. "Take Me to the Beach": 5/10

     This is the worst song on the album, I'm sorry. Extremely mid. It's catchy, like the whole album is, it just feels kinda bumpy and doesn't really offer anything special.

5. "In Your Corner": 6/10

    I'm sorry, this song is kinda mid. The message is great, but it feels kinda cliche. "I'm here for you" is a message that Imagine Dragons have kinda beaten to death - like, I appreciate you letting me know that, but you don't have to keep saying it.

6. "Gods Don't Pray": 6/10

    Another really catchy song, this one is definitely another one of the standouts. My only real hang-up here is the lyrics; it has big self-righteous energy. Like, I get that it's cool that you're like selling out giant stadiums and are one of the biggest bands in the world right now, but you really don't need to be calling yourselves gods and bragging about how readily you'll dismiss criticism. 

7. "Don't Forget Me": 5/10

    I have similar issues with this one as I do with "In Your Corner". Fine song, fine message, just feels a little cookie cutter. And doesn't really stick out.

8. "Kid": 9/10

    Oh boy, my favorite song on this album. This song feels very Gorillaz-inspired, and if that was conscious, then kudos to the boys at Imagine Dragons. Even if the Gorillaz influence wasn't intentional, it's still really good. I love the fast-paced, hip hop-infused rock sound this song has. Definitely the high point of this record.

9. "Fire in These Hills": 8/10

    As a closer, this song does a fine job. After "Kid", it's definitely the second best track here. It just could've stood to be a little stronger.

OVERALL SCORE: 59/90 (66%)

  Is it the worst Imagine Dragons album? Unfortunately I'd say yes, it probably is.

  Is it a bad album? By no means, no. Not to sound like the curmudgeon I am, but I'd still rather put this on than like 80% of the music being put out by big artists today.