Invaders Must Die
by The Prodigy
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. musicOMH.com
    100
    A statement for all of the limp new rave pretenders to pack up and fuck off, a return to form rarely sounded or felt so exciting.
  2. Filter
    88
    The Prodigy has been treading water for a few years, most likely looking for the inspiration, sentiment and spooky samples which they now unleash on Invader Must Die--a treat for anyone with a thirst for the twisted and ferocious. [Winter 2009, p.92]
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  3. Spin
    80
    Invaders Must Die is a stirringly workmanlike, if retro, blast of founder/producer Liam Howlett's anthemic breakbeat spazz.
  5. Hot Press
    80
    The rave revival starts here!
  6. Q Magazine
    80
    The Prodigy's fifth studio album sounds just like The Prodigy should. Only leaner, harder, and even faster than before. [Apr 2009, p.96]
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  7. PopMatters
    70
    Sure, Invaders Must Die contains a pack of interchangeable, vaguely rebellious lyrics aimed at no particular target, but the band sound more exciting than they have in a great while now that they are independent of scenes and movements.
  8. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Invaders Must Die lacks their freshness and like all supposed returns "to form" it might prove they can compete with the present generation but, ultimately, it's more facelift than rejuvenation.
  9. The Guardian
    60
    Nothing here genuinely startles the way Firestarter did in 1996.
  10. Slant Magazine
    60
    You'd think a group that leaned so heavily on their capacity to shock you off wouldn't wear this unabashed regression as well as they do.
  11. Blender
    60
    The Prodigy’s renewed commitment to first principles portends a future as the techno Ramones. There are worse things to be.
  12. AllMusic
    60
    Howlett is no slouch in the production chair, and the sounds are mostly blinding, but the songs are strictly by-the-books.
  13. Mojo
    60
    You could muse on the dignity of 40 year olds having a rave revival but when the 303 synth squelch kicks in on soulful closer 'Stand Up,' it's all more pukka than moody. [Mar 2009, p.105]
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  14. Pitchfork
    58
    From the first track through its final seconds, Invaders joylessly stomps through overly familiar territory. It's another lunkheaded, loud mash-up of rock and dance, a sound now so beefed-up and campy that it's perhaps only suitable for shotgunning cheap beer and practicing UFC chokeholds with your pals.
  15. Dot Music
    50
    They seem afraid to risk a good old-fashioned jungle break-out, the likes of which would be genuinely invigorating.
  16. No Ripcord
    50
    Invaders Must Die isn’t a bad album, but in the end it suffers from having a beginning which is, if anything, too good.
  17. Drowned In Sound
    40
    A majority of IMD is destined to end up splattered across car adverts and in film soundtracks where the scene is of a pulsing, throbbing, energetic nature. Sadly, that won't lend it any more substance.
  18. Uncut
    40
    In the ugliest way possible Invaders Must Die shows that the Prodigy have still got it.
  19. Under The Radar
    40
    The familiarity may be pleasing, but you may ultimately be disappointed when you realize that the original somngs they're emulating are so much better. [Winter 2009, p.81]
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  20. NOW Magazine
    40
    Flint and Maxim toss off innocuous, vague lyrics in the hope that something sticks. Nothing really does, and the joyless end result is flat-out exhausting.
  21. Rolling Stone
    30
    It's all pummeling, vacuous rave noise--useful mainly for thrash dancing and scaring neighbors.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2009
73
#73 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 134 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 120 out of 134
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 134
  3. Negative: 4 out of 134
  1. Satisfaction
    Aug 22, 2013
    10
    This album is their great comeback. The albums keeps the oldschool feeling and still remains fresh. Personally, I love it too bad critics areThis album is their great comeback. The albums keeps the oldschool feeling and still remains fresh. Personally, I love it too bad critics are thinking otherwise.… Full Review »
  2. Cooldud21
    Jun 20, 2011
    10
    Invaders Must Die to me, is one of there best albums. Its very upbeat, and its sorta like a Thrash Electro Rave. I don't know. But its just inInvaders Must Die to me, is one of there best albums. Its very upbeat, and its sorta like a Thrash Electro Rave. I don't know. But its just in my words. But here's a good example. Invader's Must Die, and Omen, and maybe Thunder, are really good songs to cruise down a road at 90 MPH. In my opinion. 10/10.… Full Review »
  3. Ikarus14
    Aug 25, 2010
    8
    A great album. What the critics have been complaining about I'll never understand but this album is excellent compared to Always Outnumbered,A great album. What the critics have been complaining about I'll never understand but this album is excellent compared to Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned.… Full Review »
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