In Silico [CD]

Let me start this review by stating I am a metalhead, my cd collection consists mostly of hardcore metal bands and I am not into dance music but this album has blown me away.
Pendulums new direction my upset a few old skool fans as this album has a lot more rocker feel and it has this cross-over sound showcasing many influences that I think sets them appart from most bands. The heavy beats Pendulum are famous for are still there, but they also dabble in snarling guitars, electronica and emo influences.
Think prodigy without the punk edge and you will not be far off.
This album is a brave step but in my view it has paid off in a big way.
Pendulum are the cross-over kings!

this cd was brought in by one of my 16-year-old's friends. It is the first bit of music that any of this group of metalheads have played that I have enjoyed. I will go further. I love it - I usually like clubby stuff, trance (loads of different Euphoria in my collection) so this is a bit different for me. Anyway this old lady likes pendulum, you too may find that it makes it easier to live in a house full of male teenagers.

First of all, i would like to say that if you dont like drum and bass, then it doesnt matter cos pendulum are no longer drum and bass. This album is AMAZING. I would also like to say to all the dnb fans: OPEN YOUR MIND, THEY ARE QUALITY AT WHAT THEY DO! They used drum and bass as a means of creating their own music, after having made a name for themselves in the genre, and hopefully now more artists will come along with having been influenced by them. Tis album is made to confuse the dnb fan with all sorts of diversity, like Hold Your Colour, but completely different. Here's a 'lowdown' on the tracks:

1. Showdown - 10/10 This is a great funky rock tune, introduced with some swift vocals saying how great pendulum are and that they are no longer drum and bass! They still show some old touches with a bit sounding like Slam, but use guitar solos and it has an emo style ending

2. Different - 9/10 A really good track with good lyrics to go with it. Sounds like Muse and has an obvious touch of the Prodigy. Nice and relaxed after a rocking first track.

3. Propane Nightmares - 10/10 Absolutely phenomenal track, the album's second single. This has everything: a great intro, emo singing with a jaunty tune, smashing drum and bass, heavy rock beats and an emotive synth solo using pendulum's trademark distorted vocals. SICK

4. Visions - 10/10 My personal favourite. Again the distorted vocals work a treat with a banging intro, then a cool melody with nostalgic guitar solos and synths, then after the break a hard-hitting instrumental. So far the album has shown musical talent, creativity and initiative. Pendulum now make songs, not tunes.

5 Midnight Runner - 8/10 At last, a kind of dnb track. Starts off slowly then gets heavy. Uses high pitched synths and mixes them up to a treat. Great tune, showing diversity and keeps some of their roots.

6. The Other Side - 9/10 HAHAHA what a jokes tune. This is to be their next single, and the whole point of this tune is to confuse you. Starts off dark, then has an intro similar to the effect of Slam's, dropping into a sinister beat. Then this commercial, poppy, happy chorus comes from nowhere, but it's PHAT! Then some random speaking vocals, sends shivers down my spine! Dnb fans will hate this, but who cares!

7 Mutiny - 10/10 Pendulum show here exactly what they can do. A heavy rock intro, then into some maaaaaaaad techno beat. Then using lyrics from The Terminal in a Queens of the Stone Age style, showing that they can use the same music in two very different forms. Then a guitar solo, and then they show the Arctic Monkeys how to play a riff. Unbelievable tune

8. 9,000 Miles - 7/10 My least favourite tune, a bit boring but nice and relaxed. This is the only genuine dnb track on the album.

9. Granite - 10/10 The album's first single, what a tune. A cosmic intro into a banging rock tune. Good and catchy with a quality end to it.

10. The Tempest - 9/10 This is a sort of ballad, a thoughtful rock tune. I dont think anyyone expected Pendulum to ever make a tune like this, but i like it. Good vocals and a banging Santana style guitar riff. Ends with some random trancy stuff :S

All in all, this album has torn Pendulum away from DnB and into the commercial scene, widening their fan base and i think will be the biggest influence on music in coming years. Can't wait to see what tey do with the next album. Oh and if you dont buy it you're wasting your ears...