Pendulum: In Silico
Friday, 09 May 2008 07:43
Pendulum are In Silico on album number two
Warner Bros Records/Ear Storm, out May 12th.
In a nutshell...
Intriguing but not fulfilling.
What's it all about?
Fusing rock to drum 'n' bass has made Pendulum crossover stars, appealing to dance music fans and rock kids.
In Silico is the band's second album and follows on from their smash hit debut Hold Your Colour, and their first release for Warner Brothers Records/Ear Storm.
The new LP boasts ten tracks that seamlessly mix pounding dance beats to heavy rock.
Watch the video for hit single Propane Nightmares below
Who's it by?
Pendulum is made up of vocalist Rob Swire, DJ Paul Harding, drummer Kodish, guitarist Perry Gwynedd and bassist Gareth McGrillen.
Initially staunch fans of hard rock, Pendulum became captivated by the energy and potential of drum 'n' bass when that genre moved into dark new territory through bands like Bad Company.
In Silico, which was pre-mixed by Dave Bascombe who has worked with the Verve, sees Pendulum evolving musically while referencing Led Zeppelin and Underoath, and Rob Swire makes his debut on vocals with the new album.
To read the inthenews.co.uk interview with Pendulum, click here
As an example...
"Come on down to the other side." – The Other Side
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
There's a possibility, I suppose, and there's no doubting the band's loyal fanbase who will spread the word with fervour. However, a Brit gong may be more realistic at this stage of the game.
What the others say
"Pendulum have that intriguing crossover appeal that will make them superstars." – Kerrang!
So is it any good?
For every decent track, such as the expansive space-rock of 9,000 Miles, there are duds like The Other Side.
Of course, the album has a plethora of good ideas but they're unfocused and this makes for frustrating listening. You latch onto a track, for example Midnight Runner with its thriller movie overtones, but there's a numbing sense of, shall we say, failure to launch.
The music seems restricted and cautious with a sense of far too much noodling around when what you really want is for each track to rocket into the stratosphere while tearing up the musical genre crossover rulebook!
Current single Propane Nightmares is a high point with brilliant vocals and a melancholic Tex-Mex riff that swims in and around a sizzling retro-edged beat.
That's the direction Pendulum should be going in, a track that fires on all cylinders and ably demonstrates their appeal and vast potential.
6 /10
Lee Davis
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