First of all, this entire post is based on my opinion and my view of things of lately. [Edit] And, sorry for the fucking long story, I just had to speak my mind.
So, without further ado, my view on comparing Prodigy to Justice and Pendulum.
You've probably heard people around you say this (or saying it yourself): 'Invaders Must Die is like Pendulum and/or Justice.' First of all... I don't think it's a weird statement at all, I can understand why anyone would say that. I mean, Invaders Must Die (IMD) has the typical dance-beat that is highly burrowed from Justice. Take a quick listen to Cross and tell me you didn't recognize the typical Girls-like snare. IMD had these guitars and basslines that could easily be on Pendulum's album In Silico (the album that people love to call FuckIng Sillyco for many reasons that I think are too narrowminded, but we'll skip that for now). IMD has a short length, doesn't contain lyrics from Keith and Maxim (although the 'Invaders Must Die'command sounds like Keith in a spacesuit with a lasergun). IMD has these sharp high-pitched melodies which could also be from Justice. But, to me, IMD is more in my face, much fresher and tougher than any Pendulum or Justice track I ever heard.
Now, Look at Pendulum and Justice's position now and then look at Prodigy's current position. All of them are being bashed by the critics, sure, but both Pendulum and Justice (P&J from now on) are hitting the masses and are really quite big. Prodigy isn't at the moment, and they know it. As far as I know, Prodigy has always said that they want to be on top of their game, whatever that game was. But don't forget these games are constantly changing. In the rave-scene, Prodigy bashed every artists by showing how it's really done. With Jilted, all the same ravers that started to copy Prodigy were surprised at how innovative the change was that Prodigy made, by adding guitars and a rocky vibe to it, but still maintaining the fast-paced energy that everyone loved so much. With Fat of the Land, they took it to a new level: Better production, polished tracks. Since then, the music hasn't been slowed down a bit, which is a good thing to evolve with (especially when looking at the album sales) and people didn't seem to mind that Prodigy integrated more punk and less dance into the music. In fact, with AONO, it was a different story. But still, they still owned the commercial dance-scene around that period. I mean, Spitfire and Girls were all over the place, and people seemed to love it.
With Invaders Must Die, nothing has changed from that point of view: show others how it's really done. Prodigy was always on top of it, just like they want to be now. Unfortunatly, they have some catching up to do (just look at the last few years). I think with IMD both P&J might as well step aside, because IMD has potential to bash both.
Instead of saying Prodigy is like P&J, it's the other way around. If you track back the past of all three bands, you'll notice how Prodigy influenced the two other bands instead (I'm hearing you think: duh!). The reason why peope hate those two is because they want to be like Prodigy and are even treated like that! Both P&J are praised all around by all sorts of people. Most of the critics that still defend Prodigy and the '90s (nostalgic) partypeople (I love you
) seem to dislike both bands. Well, now it's their chance to say that Prodigy owns both, and instead they compliment P&J on how much they're all fakey Prodigy look-a-likes, and in most cases now, Prodigy is a P&J rip-off by just judging IMD. 
I think that most people don't like the futuristic approach that all these electronic bands are taking... we all pretty much agree that everything just doesn't sound like '90s at all. If that's the whole problem: I suggest you replay Experience and Jilted again, it's not gonna get better than that anymore. Things have changed since then. It's not gonna come back. Time to face the truth...
I have my copy of Pendulum's In Silico here, and I'll grab it to litterally quote it:
"Natural heirs to the Prodigy's dance-rock legacy" - Q
We're not really noticing how Prodigy's motto is literally 'Invaders Must Die'. They want to reclaim their place on top. Well, what artists do you have to beat in this era, anno 2008?! Fucking right! P&J!!! They're walking around acting like they came up with dance and electro, crossbreeds and powerful beats, but they fucking didn't! This is what pisses me off most. Prodigy just shows with one track that both artists are a joke compared to Prodigy. It's about stealing samples, powerful beats, being tough and shit like that right? Well, what does IMD mean, what does it do? To me, showing P&J how it's really done. Why isn't anyone saying something about that now in a positive way? Prodigy manages to take both P&J into their music and make them both look like cunts... with just this one track. Well, that is my interpretation of it all. I remember an interview with Liam telling that he likes Justice. Justice are also stealing and copying like mad lunatics, that's probably the biggest reason for Liam to like them. It's a compliment for Prodigy that both P&J have Prodigy as a massive influence for their own music.
I sure can understand why anyone would love or hate P&J, but Prodigy is still better than both. That's the fucking bottom line. If anyone still says Prodigy is like P&J, you are fucking wrong. It's the other way around. All I can tell you is that most people might not be very happy with the music of lately but hey, to me... the style that P&J are trying to create are now in one package: Invaders Must Die. So, from this track the whole genre/style can evolve to something fresher and newer. And that, my fellow Prodigy fans... will be answered when we get the new album. To me, it's highly possible that Prodigy will lead the way once again.
I'm pretty sure IMD, the track, is just a big fuck you to both P&J for being pesky fuckers in the periods that Prodigy wasn't on top. Yes, those invaders must die! So don't you worry, people that seem to compare Prodigy to P&J: Prodigy just showed us with IMD the tip of the iceberg.
It's a new race to try to get on top, and Prodigy accepted to participate. Therefor: Prodigy will own names written in Orange, among other recent bands. Have hope, there's still 10 tracks coming to earth very soon to lead the (new) way. They'll be on top, 'cause they are...
The Prodigy.
Oh well, just my view on this Pendulum/Justice issue. Let discussions begin!
Agent Orange out.
hehehehe
