Review Summary: Aussie's answer to The Prodigy brings a fresh and unique style on there sophomore album.
Since the release of there second single "Propane Nightmares", some of Aussie D'n'B outfit Pendulum's fans have suddenly struck a nail on the coffin, voicing on how they've now become sellouts to bring a more commerical sound to not only there now native homeland of London, England but America as well, and the sudden uproar of worry of how there new album 'In Silico' would come out, Finally there's now a conclusion which I believe has a good outcome.
The album starts off with 'Showdown' a jubilent mix of Rock/Breaks and suitable introduction to anyone who's never heard of these guys before, people who've already listened to there dominant debut album 'Hold Your Colour' would quickly come to realise that 'Showdown' wouldn't come close to a gripping intro. The flow of the song clearly shows that they just 'warming up'. 6/10
This brings us to 'Different' which really begins to show what Pendulum can do, it's beats and sonic synths do bring damage of joy to the listener, only to be cut off and rudely interupted by near-emo vocals, i wouldn't say it ruins the song in the slightest but can cause an annoyence. It brings the flow that certain people would enjoy and put as a personal favourite. 7/10
'Propane Nightmares' in my opinion is very entertaining and colourfully brings out the new Pendulum style, it's sampling of Dune's 'Million Miles From Home' really suits the song well and brings an assault that most listeners could find very annoying at first, yet soon become very catchy. Personally it would become a song in which many people would remember from the band. 8/10
'Visions' I believe can be very memorable at first yet soon become forgetful at the latest. It brings the interesting blend of beats and synths very much like 'Different' does yet soon grows to become very repetitive, this is when the album starts to feel let down because of this. 6/10
'Midnight Runner' begins to bring vintage Pendulum, showing them how they became such a name in the first place, when the drop begins at around 2 minutes it shows the raw aggression that can be played at any club. Then it brings in (unfortunately) a very confusing and complex voice, don't know who or what but it certainly brings back the 'Different' reference. But all together it could become a great club banger. 7/10
It then rolls onto 'The Other Side', another magical and catchy number which can be the almost opposite of 'Visions' (Forgetful into Memorable). The vocals are ceverly sorted and whips out a very repetitive yet very funky beat. Again it provides the listener to another enjoyable listen. 8/10
'Mutiny' can really be a hit or a miss bag. It brings out a repetitive verse and chorus which would easily make people annoyed, that's until it brings a raging guitar solo into a piercing beat that would make anyone jumping. Any fans of The Prodigy should take notice of how both artists are very much alike and how Pendulum revolutionize there sound as the album moves swiftly along. 8/10
Very much like 'Midnight Runner', '9,000 Miles' again shows Pendulum back to there roots of the first album and exceed from what they've learnt over the past years. It's gentle, calm sound can make you warm inside, only to be put off by the random vocals. I would also say the repeating beats are a dead giveaway yet i believe that it's acceptable for this type of song, for old Pendulum fans this would bring memories of 'Hold Your Colour' or 'Streamline' from there first album. 9/10
'Granite' breaks down into a sci-fi rockfest that hearing it tinkles your ears with a kickstart approach of guitars and synths. It's enjoyable yet it doesn't quiet cut it to be perfect, nor a favourite. It kinda misses an extra edge that i believe Pendulum mistakenly forgot. 8/10
This brings us to the final track 'The Tempest', this track really shows that Pendulum have an emotional aggression to there music that can rival any rock band. This song proves to be very dramatic and epic in terms of the song sections (The endings perfect in my opinion), use of sound and vocals and the flow of the music created here. This is my favourite track and a perfect example on how to end an album. 10/10
This album really answers the questions old Pendulum fans have been worrying about, there creative and energetic flow of Pendulum are still there, the Variety of the album needs a couple of tries to listen too before realising that it is indeed still there, there indeed still as good as they was when 'Hold Your Colour' was out. This album has some blank shots at times, with average vocals and annoying repetitveness but in the end it's a really enjoyable listen.
Pendulum fans should ease there pains by trying the album out, but 'In Silico' really does point focus on a more commerical stand point and people should take notice as this album can prove one thing:
'Pendulum really are the Future'
