In Silico (Pendulum album)

In Silico is the second studio album by Australian drum and bass band Pendulum, released in Australia and Europe on 12 May 2008 by Warner Bros. Records and in the United States a day later by Atlantic Records. The album represents a change in sound for the band from their debut album Hold Your Colour away from drum and bass, incorporating more rock and electronic influences. The album peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart on 18 May 2008.[1] Singles from the album include "Granite", "Propane Nightmares", "The Other Side" and "Showdown". Mini discs of the song "The Tempest" were thrown out to the audience of the "Project Rev" live show.

In Silico
Studio album by
Released12 May 2008
Recorded2007–2008
Genre
Length57:55
Label
Producer
Pendulum chronology
Hold Your Colour
(2005)
In Silico
(2008)
Live at Brixton Academy
(2009)
Alternative casing
Special edition embossed tin
Singles from In Silico
  1. "Granite"
    Released: 26 November 2007
  2. "Propane Nightmares"
    Released: 14 April 2008
  3. "The Other Side"
    Released: 28 July 2008
  4. "Showdown"
    Released: 5 January 2009

The expression "in silico", from which the album's title is derived, means performed on computer or via computer simulation. However group member Gareth McGrillen also commented on the way it plays upon Nirvana's well-known album title In Utero (which means born naturally or of the uterus) and thus carries extra shades of meaning related to being "born synthetically",[2] thus explaining the album's cover design of a baby or fetus displayed inside a circular design representing a synthetic ovum.

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
Digital Spy     [4]
The Guardian     [5]
Resident Advisor1/5[6]

Critical reception to the album has been mixed, with most of the polarisation coming from Pendulum's shift from drum and bass to a more rock and pop-imbued electronic sound. AllMusic praised that "Pendulum is determined to heal the breach" between rock and electronica;[7] however, The Guardian felt that the sound was "a little dated".[8] Some fans of the first album have criticised In Silico for the change of genre;[citation needed] however, because of the album's popularity, and with singles being played on television music channels such as Kerrang!, Pendulum managed to attract a new group of fans. Q named both lead single "Granite" and "Propane Nightmares" in the top 50 songs of the months in which they were released.

In popular culture edit

The songs "Granite" and "Showdown" are featured in the off-road video game Pure. "Showdown" appears in the racing video game Forza Motorsport 3. "Granite", "9,000 Miles" and "The Tempest" are also featured in the video game Need for Speed: Undercover. "Showdown" also appears in the 2008 film Punisher: War Zone in addition to an episode of CSI: NY. Also, part of the song "Mutiny" appears in a Verizon Wireless commercial promoting the LG Dare, and "The Other Side" appears in an episode of EastEnders aired on 6 August 2010. The song "Propane Nightmares" was also used as the main theme for the WWE Pay-per view Cyber Sunday 2008 special and on the release trailer of Just Cause 2. Plus, a remixed version of "Propane Nightmares" by Celldweller appears on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable videogame MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. "The Tempest" also appeared in TV spots for the film Ninja Assassin.

Track listing edit

Original release
No.TitleLength
1."Showdown"5:27
2."Different"5:51
3."Propane Nightmares"5:13
4."Visions"5:36
5."Midnight Runner"6:55
6."The Other Side"5:15
7."Mutiny"5:09
8."9,000 Miles"6:26
9."Granite"4:41
10."The Tempest"7:27
Total length:57:55
Special edition
No.TitleLength
11."Propane Nightmares" (VIP remix)5:22
12."Propane Nightmares" (Celldweller remix)5:34
13."Propane Nightmares" (radio edit music video)4:29
14."Granite" (live video from electric ballroom)4:32
Total length:68:48
Bonus tracks version (iTunes)
No.TitleLength
11."Propane Nightmares" (VIP remix)5:22
12."Propane Nightmares" (Celldweller remix)5:34
13."Propane Nightmares" (VST remix)4:48
14."Granite" (music video)3:41
15."Propane Nightmares" (music video)5:20
16."In Silico Showcase"5:24
Total length:90:04
In Silico EP (Vinyl)
No.TitleSideLength
1."Showdown"A5:27
2."Visions"B5:36
3."Midnight Runner"C6:55
4."9,000 Miles"D6:26
Total length:24:24

March mini-mix release edit

On 26 March 2008, Pendulum released a 12-minute mini-mix of the album – known as In Silico (El-Hornet Mini-Mix) – available only to those who are registered on their website. The track listing is as follows:

  1. "Showdown"
  2. "Granite"
  3. "Granite" (Dillinja remix)
  4. "Granite" (Breakfastaz remix)
  5. "Visions"
  6. "The Other Side"
  7. "Propane Nightmares" (VST remix)
  8. "Different"
  9. "Mutiny"
  10. "Propane Nightmares"
  11. "Propane Nightmares" (VIP remix)
  12. "Propane Nightmares" (Celldweller remix)
  13. "Midnight Runner"
  14. "9000 Miles"
  15. "The Tempest"

Samples edit

Personnel edit

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[17] Platinum 300,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Country Release date
Europe 12 May 2008
United States 13 May 2008

References edit

  1. ^ "World Music Charts". acharts.us. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  2. ^ "Pendulum D 'n' B from Down Under" Archived 9 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. inthenews.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  3. ^ Allmusic review
  4. ^ Digital Spy review
  5. ^ The Guardian review
  6. ^ Rinehart, Dave (3 June 2008). "Pendulum – In Silico". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  7. ^ Greene, Jo-Ann "In Silico Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  8. ^ Cooper, Leonie "Pendulum, In Silico". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  9. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Pendulum – In Silico". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Charts.nz – Pendulum – In Silico". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Pendulum Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Pendulum Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  15. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2008". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  16. ^ "UK Year-End 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  17. ^ "British album certifications – Pendulum – In Silico". British Phonographic Industry.