oce4nblue: February 2015

Smoke + Mirrors Album Review

Hello Lovely People!

So, February sixteenth was a very special and exciting day for me. That was the day that my favorite band ‘Imagine Dragons’ released their second album ’Smoke and Mirrors’. And I, for one, was expecting extremely good things…which they delivered. Overall, I am completely in love with this record. Although, there is nothing like a band’s first album.

I heard their song ‘It’s Time’ from their first album ‘Night Visions’ on an advert for a film, and that’s where it all began. Imagine Dragons are one of the few modern day bands that truly keep the rock and roll vibe alive. Bands like this have become very rare and the ones which are around are special little pearls. Rare and precious.

I think that this album takes the sound of their previous songs ‘Nothing Left to Say’ and ‘Rocks’ which, were two of my favorites from the first album. I have four or five songs from ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ which are:

Shots
I'm So Sorry
Dream
Trouble
Hopeless Opus

My favorite thing about two of these songs in particular (‘I’m So Sorry’ and ‘Hopeless Opus’) is the guitar solos. The band’s guitarist Wayne Sermon is insanely talented and a credit to the quartet. ‘I’m So Sorry’ is much more rock-y than ‘Hopeless Opus’ and the chorus almost seems like a chant to me. Furthermore, the way which it is tied into the song works so well. ‘Hopeless Opus’ seems more like an anthem or ballad which the band has only a few of. But, nonetheless, this song is amazing and shows the talents of all four members (Dan Reynolds, Daniel Platzman, Wayne Sermon and Ben Mckee).

The songs ‘Shots’ and ‘Trouble’ are similar in sound especially in terms of the drumming (thanks to Daniel Platzman). These songs make me want to go out and accomplish something because of the uplifting tones. Finally, the song ‘Dream’, to me, is very thought provoking. The lyrics are extremely beautiful and the way lead singer Dan Reynolds hits the notes is incredible. It makes me wonder ‘What is real? What is worth my time? What is really important to me?’ It’s extremely thoughtful and has a lot of depth to it. That is why it is one of my top five songs from the album.

‘Smoke and Mirrors’ has some aspects which are similar to ‘Night Visions’ but also, a completely different sound at the same time. Some fans are not too impressed with the new sound, some of my friends aren’t exactly ‘lover’s’ of it, however, I for one am a huge fan of it and am excited and intrigued as to how it will be performed live.

These four men should be immensely proud with what they have created, along with their producer AlexDaKid (KIDinaKORNER Productions) who has helped them through the creation of both albums. Congrats and well done to this critically-acclaimed rock and roll band!

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February Life Update

Hiya,

It's been a while since I've sat down actually just written about what been going on in my life so today, that's exactly what I'm going to do..

Firstly, there was christmas which was truly brilliant! It was so lovely to have all the family together on the day and my aunt and cousins came up the following weekend which was just as good! I got plenty of nice presents, one of which are tickets to go and see Tom Odell in June which I'm ridiculously excited about!

As well, a few days ago, my amazing mother managed to get tickets for Bryony, Matty, Sam and I to go and see Imagine Dragons at the O2 in London in November! Some friends and I saw them live two years ago and I'm insanely excited to see them preform again! Their new album 'Smoke + Mirrors' sounds great and I can't wait to hear all of it!! (also the video for their song 'Shots' was released today, go have a look, it's fab)!

Also, I had to do mocks for my A Level exams back in Janurary which I was very stressed about and I didn't feel like I had done very well. However, I managed to come out with three B's and a C so I was very proud of myself!! Turns out the revision that I did paid off! Even though they're only mocks, I'm happy that I did well because it shows that I'm on track to get the grades that I want!!

College overall is going really well, I've met some brill people and am enjoying all of my classes, especially Geography and English Language. Although, I am really enjoying Creatie Writing at the minute because we are working on scripts which is really fun!! We also get to watch a bunch of tv shows like The Office so I'm very pleased (speaking of The Office, I'm on series seven of nine of the U.S one, I'm getting there)! Tonight I'm going to be old secondary school to see their production of 'Hairspray' which my brother and some friends are in. I'm so excited to see them all and I'm sure it all be amazing. It will be weird being sat in the audience though rather than on stage!! On top is this, next week is half term which is very much needed after this term, however most of it will be revision:(

I'm feeling quite happy with myself as well. I was feeling quite 'off' for a little while but I'm back on track now. Things are picking up and I'm beginning to feel well and truly positively happy!! Bad news though, I've ran out of Lush bath bombs, but oh well!