Pendulum’s new album at No. 1 in midweek UK album chart

Pendulum’s new album at No. 1 in midweek UK album chart

15 May, 2008 | 9.13AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog
• Written by: The Last Real DJ Alive

Pendulum - the group who revolutionised the sound of drum & bass much like The Prodigy did to hardcore in the early ‘90s - are currently at No. 1 in the midweek UK album charts.

Whether they are drum & bass artists anymore is a hot subject of debate, as is evident on forums such as dogsonacid, but what is not in dispute is that their music is loved by tens if not hundreds of thousands of fans. 

Recently signing to a major record label, Warner, Pendulum were quoted as being extremely agitated regarding ongoing forum posts accusing them of “selling out”.

The unforgiving drum & bass genre is obsessed with the underground, and so points the finger at groups who sell significant units.

But as is the case with Roni Size and Goldie, mainstream exposure of drum & bass is always looked back upon fondly in the years to come.

‘In Silico’ features this track listing, and the album is out on Beatport in a matter of days:

“Showdown” – 5:27
“Different” – 5:51
“Propane Nightmares” – 5:13
“Visions” – 5:36
“Midnight Runner” – 6:55
“The Other Side” – 5:15
“Mutiny” – 5:09
“9000 Miles” – 6:26
“Granite” – 4:41
“The Tempest” – 7:27

Could this be the first D&B LP number one since ... well, ever?

Is it even drum & bass?

Unfortunately, even if it is, the public seemed to have pissed off Pendulum so much that they don’t want to call it D&B anymore.

What do I think?

To me, the 174 BPM rhythm and strong drum & bass-style beats of ‘In Silico’ means that D&B has scored a significant victory here, as far as exposure and recognition go (although I respect that the more mainstream this genre gets, the more pissed off hardcore fans will be).

I can see why some people don’t like what Pendulum are producing now because it isn’t raw, authentic drum & bass; it’s a self-professed ‘stadium sound’ that by name alone implies appealing to the masses.

As far as the music goes though - and I’m talking music, not lifestyle, culture, politics, genre or whatever else - ‘In Silico’ sounds like sex to the ears and is the digital equivalent of a Bukkake movie because it assaults your ears with wave after wave of technical production.

Now I’ve gone and done it - I couldn’t help but give my two cents and get involved in all this controversy!

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• Check out Pendulum on Beatport