Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Pendulum, Earstorm via ADA 2018.
Pendulum is somewhat of a rarity in that they are an English electronica outfit that is comprised of bass and drums, instruments that are present in nearly every band but rarely take the lead role.
The Reworks is their first album in seven years and it marks a departure from their previous releases.
For The Reworks the band has collaborated with some of the most innovative acts from the past few years to deliver dynamic and refreshing interpretations of some of their biggest hits.
The opening track is an explosive cover by Dutch trio Noisia of Hold Your Colour.
The original track, released on Pendulum’s first album (of the same name) in 2005, has become iconic in the bass scene.
Other collaborators include; Knife Party doing Blood Sugar, Moby covering Vault, Matrix & Futurebound doing Watercolour, Grabbitz doing Propane Nightmares and DJ Seinfeld covering Still Grey.
All 13 tracks on the album have been recorded with guests joining the band providing their unique skills and interpretations of Pendulum classics.
One track, The Island Part 1 (dawn), has been covered twice on the disc, firstly by Skrillex and then later on by AN21. It’s really interesting to compare the two interpretations.
The AN21 version is really heavy with the emphasis on massively distorted bass while Skrillex is much more melodic with substantial use of loops and layered sounds.
The Reworks album is available in both CD and vinyl formats and there is also a limited edition, The Complete Works Deluxe, box set of Pendulum’s first three albums that have been remastered.
Although Pendulum have been in hiatus for seven years they haven’t been forgotten by their fans.
The band announced their first headline show since 2011 at London’s Printworks and the show sold out in under an hour.
The band have also announced their return to the festival circuit with their booking at the Reading and Leeds Festival.
