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 albumHold 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. 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. 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 and thus carries extra shades of meaning related to being "born synthetically", thus explaining the album's cover design of a baby or fetus displayed inside a circular design representing a synthetic ovum.
Reception
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; however, The Guardian felt that the sound was "a little dated". Some fans of the first album have criticised In Silico for the change of genre; 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.
The songs "Granite" and "Showdown" are featured in the off-road video gamePure. "Granite", "9,000 Miles" and "The Tempest" are also featured in the video game '. "Showdown" also appears in the 2008 film' in addition to an episode of . 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. "The Tempest" also appeared in TV spots for the film Ninja Assassin.
Track listing
March mini-mix release
On 26 March 2008, Pendulum released a 12-minute mini-mix of the album – known as In Silico – available only to those who are registered on their website. The track listing is as follows:
"Showdown"
"Granite"
"Granite"
"Granite"
"Visions"
"The Other Side"
"Propane Nightmares"
"Different"
"Mutiny"
"Propane Nightmares"
"Propane Nightmares"
"Propane Nightmares"
"Midnight Runner"
"9000 Miles"
"The Tempest"
Samples
The track "Showdown" uses a sample from "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & the Gang.
The track "Propane Nightmares" uses samples from "Million Miles From Home" by Dune.
The track "Mutiny" uses a modified vocal sample from Pendulum's own "The Terminal", as well as Public Enemy's 1991 single "Shut 'Em Down".
Personnel
Pendulum
Rob Swire – vocals, synthesisers
Gareth McGrillen – bass guitar, DJ
Peredur ap Gwynedd – guitar
Paul Kodish – drums
Additional personnel
Andy Greenwood – trumpet on "Propane Nightmares"
Craig Wild – trumpet on "Propane Nightmares"
Andy Wood – trombone on "Propane Nightmares"
Christopher Mayhew – talkbox vocals on "The Other Side"
