1. Taikatalvi 2'36
Introduction of the album. Marco speaks in Finnish on soft music. Nice piece that takes us into the unique world of this new album.
2. Storytime 5'22
It started well with a good live heavy piece coated with the symphony orchestra (still led by Pip Williams). A very effective hit, typical Nightwish, though the vocals seem more present than on the usual pieces of the group.
3. Ghost River 5'25
Piece in the tradition of the previous, but less effective, so semi-disappointment.
4. Slow, Love, Slow 5'50
A song does not believe his ears! The group here skillfully blend film music and jazz ...! One senses here some influence Angelo Badalamenti score composed for the series Twin Peaks. This is a very surprising piece from the group. Some perhaps will not like, but the obvious risk taking is paying off, as this song (sung by Anette and Marco) fits perfectly in the telling of the story. Superb.
5. I Want My Tears Back 5'08
An almost "copied and pasted" the track "Last of the Wilds" from Dark Passion Play album. Mean by that a very catchy song with good riffs of guitars and bagpipes!
7'32 6.Scaretale
Tuomas Holopainen vibrant tribute to his masters Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman. Scaretale is one of the best pieces of symphonic metal you will hear in your life and that is reminiscent of the great "Poet and the Pendulum" of the previous album. This piece marks the entrance to the listener in the Imaginaerum park. The homage to Danny Elfman, with choirs and the "circus music" typical of the composer on films of Tim Burton, is sometimes on the verge of plagiarism, but the result is so effective that it can not be that s' rejoice in! Excellent.
7. Arabesque 2'58
First only instrumental piece of the album, this "Arabesque" uses only the orchestra and choruses without the group. A superb piece believed to extract an adventure film, with its percussion and brass instruments. A jewel.
8. Turn Loose The Mermaids 4'19
Very pretty ballad, no electric guitar or bass or drums. A piece that, and there is really surprising, seems to pay homage to Ennio Morricone! Indeed, it looks like a western music, with the famous "whistle" Typical Italian composer.
9. Rest Calm 6'59
A heavy piece without much originality, sung by Anette and Marco. Friendly, but no more.
10. The Crow, The Owl And The Dove 4'10
One piece of the album composed by Marco (bassist). A predominantly ballad to pretty neat acoustic guitar that allows us to take a break before the slap that will give us the next piece.
11. Last Ride Of The Day 4'32
A bomb! The orchestra, the chorus and the band broke out for this "ride" incredibly effective. One of the best songs on the album. Excellent.
12. Song Of Myself 13'30
The longest track on the album. Again, from the first notes, the influence of Hans Zimmer feel a lot (see scores Crimson Tide and Peacemaker). A symphonic piece very "heavy" on the first part, very "ride" on the second. A beautiful piece that ends with the reading of poems on soft music.
13. Imaginaerum 6'18
To close the CD in the style of a movie, this "end credits" created by Pip Williams (orchestrator and arranger on the album) shows the main themes written by Tuomas, without the group, only with the symphony orchestra and choirs. A superb end so.
In short, this album proves to be a gem. Fans of the first hour who have never recovered from the ouster of Tarja, the first singer will also be thrilled with the collector's edition of the album that contains the CD and more in instrumental version! Imaginerum is a grand and rich work that only confirmed that Nightwish is the best symphonic metal band of all time!
