It's been a long holiday for The Prodigy , seeing as their last full-length album was released in late 1996, and apart from losing a member, releasing a one-off single and having various members being involved in side projects, it's been a rather quiet eight years for The Prodigy and their fans.

Sadly though, the groups extended holiday has not improved the state of their latest album, Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned. That's not to say that this is a bad album per se; it just lacks the punch of their previous efforts, missing the vibes of tracks like Smack My Bitch Up, Voodoo People, and Poison. Understandably, it would be hard to come out with new material after riding the high of an album that sells seven million copies plus. Sadly, however, fans are likely to be unenthused by Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, particularly fans of the Experience era, as it seems the trio has moved even further away from the underground club style that put them where they are, and moved towards, dare I say it, electro clash.

Spitfire opens the album to a great start, with a pounding rhythm, grungy bass, ample eerie vocals and punk-ish screaming; it has the energy and drive you would expect from a Prodigy song, albeit an electro clash Prodigy song. This song comes close to fitting into the metal category, so unless you have an ear for distortion, it probably won't be your thing. At just over 5 minutes though, this one gets a little repetitive, considering the distorted sounds and tempo hardly change throughout. Surprisingly, it's Girls that has 'that Prodigy vibe,' and is one of my favourites on the album. Unfortunately it begins its life as a terrible rap, though listeners will be pleased to know that within half a minute, the familiar distorted bass-line kicks in, along with some more, slightly better rap; it is the backing music that carries this one through. Notably, this is probably the only song you would hear at a dance club, which is surprising considering the groups history of relentless club tours.

You'll Be Under My Wheels is probably the most interesting song on the album, if only because it's relatively instrumental. Apart from a single sampled vocal track, that keeps things interesting, the song is by far the most creative. The subtle bass drive keeps things grooving, but the mix of dark, grungy guitar samples and plenty of synth, You'll Be Under My Wheels is a genuinely Prodigy affair. An important thing to keep in mind when listening to this album, is that it was entirely programmed, written and produced by Liam Howlett, who has been the DJ behind The Prodigy's music since the start. Keith and Maxim aren't actually mentioned anywhere on this album. There isn't a single song featuring Keith's bizarre cockney vocals, and quite frankly, it's a disappointment.

Each song in itself works quite well, with the exception of perhaps Shoot Down (How did Liam Gallagher get on this album!?). It's just that the overall sound is far too monotonous, and far too distorted. Yes, the grungy punching sounds are great, but not on every single song! Memphis Bells, Hot Ride and The Way It Is are fantastic songs, but when they all sound the same it's hard to take the songs, and the album, seriously.

This album is ambitious, it tries to be far-out, and it tries to be a bit dark, and a bit different. It does all of those, but it doesn’t do them exceptionally well. When you are one of the world’s largest dance / electronica groups, there is a lot of pressure to release quality music. When your new release isn’t of the same caliber as your previous records, it’s hard to look at it as having much credibility. Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned is a great album, it’s energetic, and played on a big stereo it’s sure to have the place moving. But as a Prodigy album, it’s repetitive, it tries too hard, and it’s almost immature, when compared to their older music. As a first album, Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned would have people talking, but as a fourth album, for the worlds largest electronica act, it’s hard to call this album anything more than mediocre.