Snap Judgment: the Prodigy's 'Invaders Must Die'
02:24 PM PT, Nov 26 2008



Just downloaded the Prodigy’s “Invaders Must Die,” the title track from the band's forthcoming fifth full-length, made available today as a freebie on the Grammy-nominated trio’s website. While I’ve listened to the track only a few times now, I’ve got to say I’m a little underwhelmed. You can check out the song -- which isn't officially a single, reps say -- for yourself here.

There has never been a better time for the Prodigy to reclaim their old-school techno throne. Aggressive-sounding dance music is once again in favor, thanks to electro artists such as Justice, who have made more inroads with American rock music fans this past year than any other outfit. But with "Invaders Must Die," the Prodigy don't reach the high bar they set for themselves with their stellar back catalog of hits such as “Firestarter,” “Jericho,” “Breathe,” "Fire," “Charly,” “Smack My Bitch Up,” "Poison" and others.

Tipped as a return to the band’s roots, “Invaders Must Die” definitely shows the promise that made the threesome -- Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and and Maxim -- DJ favorites worldwide in the early 1990s (as well as chart-toppers in the late 1990s), but the distored-basslines and guitar samples on “Invaders Must Die” also hints that the band might have a more aggressive sound in store for 2009 (the disc bows next spring).

My first impression of the track was that it sounded a bit too much like Does It Offend You, Yeah? This is not a good sign. James Rushent from DIOYY actually appears on one of the forthcoming album’s tracks. But if you’re going to be mixing rock with techno, it’s a safe bet to call up a rock professional, which is what the Prodigy did for “Run (With the Wolves)." They tapped none other than Dave Grohl to hit some actual skins on “Wolves,” which made the cut for the album.

And while the debut track has some nice drum programming, I'm still not feeling the main hook. The Prodigy usually always leaves the listener wanting more; this track doesn't. I’m holding out hope that offerings such as “Omen” will give fans of early Prodigy a reason to get excited. In the meantime, I’ve just cued up “Everybody in the Place” in anticipation. As a full-on reaffirmation of the band, “Invaders Must Die," the song, falls short. As a teaser for “Invaders Must Die,” the album, it certainly will suffice.

-- Charlie Amter

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_b ... men-1.html

I don't really agree with that review. To me it sounds huge and fresh - i mean the louder you turn it up the better IMD sounds. Its got a certain vibe to it, i really dont want Experience part 2 or FOTL, AONO part 2. This seems a new direction. We all knows its basically an intro to the album so it obviously not one of the stand out tracks - so people shouldnt be turned off by this one track. I love the proclimation 'we are the prodigy!'

Yeah i kinda agree this sentance says it all really

"As a teaser for “Invaders Must Die,” the album, it certainly will suffice."

It is a teaser, a taster and an edit.

EDIT being the key word.

It seems quite a few 1st listens gave this reaction. Not sure of it etc etc.
The album version will hopefully make people eat their words.

agreed

I fine that line interesting and what makes me believe the boys have an ace up their sleeve waiting to release right before the album. i feel this track is only a reintroduction to get the people out there to take notice and then hit with the bomb.

nah but it was told in previous interview that the single imd would be out at the end of the month i heard, i mean there making a video and everything for it, i couldn't see there being another tune in studio form until march

We shall see I guess, but I wouldn't be surprised if somtheing else gets played in studio form before the album drops...

I find it funny that the reviewer thinks the track sounds too much like Does it Offend you Yeah?.. This track was coproduced by James Rushent! So of course it has a lil bit of their flavour.. mixed with Prodigy's...

actually he says it sounds like does it offend you,but thinks that the track with james rushent is another stupid little man

It´s poor to read, that Liam apperantly lost creativity and needs persons like Dave Grohl to get better and more creative music-tracks....

It´s not Liam calls Dave : "Hey, I got a problem with the beats in my track - please, can you help me ?"

Prejudiced without knowing the whole album...

well the thing is i dont know why liam doesn't use his own drummer, those drums could tear your head off there so loud and powerfull, with all the drum rolls and fast army march like beats, but then again if we had that live gigs wouldn't be as good as they are

mmm be nice if it was a lot more live, 2 drummers, liam n leeroy on synths/samplers/ableton, the 2 MC's n robs guitar, voila, although pretty hard to implement n get the same sonic impact out of the speakers.. its pretty awesome as is, i mean, they still kill most big stadium crushing bands in terms of energy.