Mercury - Act 1 (Standard Vinyl)

ロックのジャンルを再構築する最重要バンド、イマジン・ドラゴンズによる3年ぶり、5枚目となる待望の新作。

伝説的プロデューサーのリック・ルービンとチームを組んだ本作は、先行シングル「Follow You」、「Cutthroat」、「Wrecked」を収録。

For album number five, Las Vegas quartet Imagine Dragons recruited executive producer Rick Rubin and dug deep into the emotional well with Mercury: Act 1. While containing just enough of their typical hallmarks -- booming percussion, emotive delivery, and the ability to command full attention with their in-your-face approach -- to make this an unmistakable Imagine Dragons record, the Dan Reynolds-led group takes a big risk on their grandest bid yet for maturity and authenticity. The results come close enough to the mark, showcasing some of the most soul-baring and cathartic moments of their careers. Unlike the bulk of the music for which the band is known, there arent any arena-sized neo-Jock Jams or immediate radio hits present on the album (the tender, lovelorn ode Follow You and gleeful kiss-off anthem No Time for Toxic People are as close as it gets). Dealing with mental health, death, and fractured relationships, Mercury pushes the listener to process pain and inner turmoil, embracing the darkness to find hope and acceptance. To achieve that cathartic release, Reynolds delivers his most intense performances to date, pushing his vocals to the breaking point on several occasions (Giants, Dull Knives, and Cutthroat are almost painful to listen to, purely because fans might wonder if he actually burst a vocal cord during recording) and dropping his guard to reveal uncomfortably vulnerable confessions (the devastating Wrecked is a beautiful standout, written about his late sister-in-law). Despite the seriousness, the band balances the set with some relatively upbeat tracks that at least resemble classic Imagine Dragons, like the bouncy plea to the heavens Lonely, the synthy Muse-like Monday, and the sparkling Easy Come Easy Go, which offer much-needed breaks from the intensity. On the affirmative Its OK, Reynolds sings, Its OK to be not OK/Its just fine to be out of your mind before beseeching, Just let me live my truth. This is the essence of the entire album. No matter how ugly and tough life can be, some acceptance and resignation can go a long way toward healing and happiness. For a band that usually goes overboard with hyperbolic, repetitive slogans (whether its Feel the thunder! and Whatever it takes! or Radioactive, radioactive!), its refreshing to hear them push themselves into such unpleasant yet absolutely human corners. While the overall tone and narrative could use a little polishing, Mercury: Act 1 is a huge step forward in their maturation process. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

全米を代表するロック・バンドに成長したラスベガスの4人組がさらなる飛躍に挑んだ5枚目のアルバム。大胆に導入されたR&B/ファンク/ヒップホップに戸惑う人もいるかもしれない。しかし、そこでキーになるのがエグゼクティヴ・プロデューサー、リック・ルービンの存在だ。ポップ色の濃い前半から一転、ロックに攻める後半ではレッド・ホット・チリ・ペッパーズと組んできたルービンの手腕が存分に発揮され、バンドの新たな魅力が生まれている。その最大の成果がラウド・ロック調の中にアンセミックでソウルフルな魅力が溢れる"Cutthroat"。そこから繋げるオールディーズ風のバラード"No Time For Toxic People"とのギャップと共にバンドのスケールをダイナミックに描き出している。
bounce (C)山口智男