Invaders Must Die
by The Prodigy
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

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  1. JamesMn
    Mar 10, 2009
    6
    Having been a fan of Prodigy since their debut EP, What Evil Lurks... I've heard their changes and developments every step of the way. Waited in line to buy Fat of the Land at a midnight sale and was quite rewarded with the gut punch that was Smack my Bitch Up. All of their first three albums have tracks in which their personalities suit specific moments quite well (Speedway is Having been a fan of Prodigy since their debut EP, What Evil Lurks... I've heard their changes and developments every step of the way. Waited in line to buy Fat of the Land at a midnight sale and was quite rewarded with the gut punch that was Smack my Bitch Up. All of their first three albums have tracks in which their personalities suit specific moments quite well (Speedway is always appreciated during road trips, for example). Always Outnumbered, I'm afraid, didn't really achieve this. The tracks were too short, none of the nice sprawling, hypnotic rides that permeated all the previous albums. Invaders Must Die suffers from this as well, despite returning to the more familiar sounds of past. What does begin to invoke such feelings are painfully brief, feeling like it was waved in front of your face and then snatched from you just as you started to perk up. There are no excursions here, just well packaged brief homages to things that we appreciated before. The album had much potential but ultimately feels overly edited and cut short. If not then, the tracks feel too by-the-numbers, a once criminal-to-say but now understood sentiment among long time Prodigy fans. Most tracks had me thinking that they would have been much better if double the length and instrumental with more wild experimental touches thrown in. (Colours is a nice track but utterly ruined by the vocals, Run with the Wolves is another example.) The album opens weak, takes you into a nice harder and aggressive middle but ends leaving you wondering "Is that really it? We waited 5 years hoping for a meal and we got hors d'oeuvres?" Verdict: Like a visit from an old friend, great to see them again, but because the visit was part of a layover... Leaves you feeling underappreciated and with an underwhelming feeling.… Expand
  2. TiagoM.
    Mar 4, 2009
    6
    Big-beat, Punk and German Techno. I'm confused. This album is a return to The Prodigy origins with a higher sound quality. Kind of a refined Music For The Jilted Generation. Although, it doesn't sound like 2009. The sonic keyboard melodies are old. Distorted voice and high pitch samples belong to the 90's. The drums seam recycled from Firestarter. Despite that, i kind of Big-beat, Punk and German Techno. I'm confused. This album is a return to The Prodigy origins with a higher sound quality. Kind of a refined Music For The Jilted Generation. Although, it doesn't sound like 2009. The sonic keyboard melodies are old. Distorted voice and high pitch samples belong to the 90's. The drums seam recycled from Firestarter. Despite that, i kind of like it. And if it wasn't the same band from the great Fat Of The Land i would give Invaders Must Die a better rate.… Expand
  3. StephenD
    Mar 15, 2009
    6
    Its an album that true fans will claim is The Prodigy's return to form the truth is that theres no heart and soul here. The real question is will you listen to it in ten years ahead of the three arguabily better albums (this is better than Always Out Numbered)? Time will tell but im guessing not!
  4. nic-
    Mar 3, 2009
    5
    Not an improvement for sure, alot of overly designed beats that are definitely lacking from such a great producer. Past his prime and not budging from his 'macho punk' beats its a re-hash of already heard songs. Take me to the Hospital and Warriors Dance are the only real highlights, making you wish such a master would try and mix it up since spanning a deacde plus.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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