View source for Strength in Numbers (The Music album)

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Strength in Numbers
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[The Music]]
| cover      = Music-Album3.jpg
| alt        = A partially blurred image of lit buildings during night
| released   = 16 June 2008
| recorded   = 2008
| studio     = [[Townhouse Studios|Townhouse]], Magnetic North
| genre      = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->[[Electronic music|Electronic]]<!-- sourced in prose -->
| length     = 54:58 <!-- includes hidden track -->
| label      = [[Polydor]], Yes, Please!
| producer   =
* [[Flood (producer)|Flood]]
* [[Paul Hartnoll]]
* The Music
| prev_title = [[Welcome to the North]]
| prev_year  = 2004
| next_title = Singles and EPs: 2001 – 2005
| next_year  = 2011
| misc       = {{Singles
| name        = Strength in Numbers
| type        = studio
| single1     = Strength in Numbers
| single1date = 9 June 2008
| single2     = The Spike
| single2date = 11 August 2008
| single3     = Drugs
| single3date = 13 October 2008
}}
}}
'''''Strength in Numbers''''' is the third and final [[studio album]] by English [[Rock music|rock]] [[the Music]]. It was released on 16 June 2008 by [[Polydor Records]] and Yes, Please!.
It comes in two formats, a regular CD (in a super jewel case) and a deluxe [[digipak]] Edition. The limited edition features two bonus tracks, "The Price" and "The Rain", but does not feature the hidden track "No Danger".
==Background==
The Music released their second album ''[[Welcome to the North]]'' in September 2004, peaking at number eight on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name=UKhistory>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9319/music/|title=Music / full Official Chart History|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024094249/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9319/music/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-19-1363199|title=All the New Music!|work=NME|date=13 July 2004|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173003/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-19-1363199|url-status=live}}</ref> Both of its [[Single (music)|singles]] – "Freedom Fighters" and "Breakin{{single double}} – reached the top 20 of the [[UK Singles Chart]], with the former peaking the highest at number 15.<ref name=UKhistory/> The album was promoted with three UK tours and two US tours, one with [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]] and the other supported by [[Kasabian]], leading up to May 2005.<ref>Touring in support of ''Welcome to the North'':
* First UK tour: {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-20-1365302|title=Live Music!|work=NME|date=29 June 2004|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811185042/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-20-1365302|url-status=live}}
* First US tour with Incubus: {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-33-1361772|title=Red Heaven!|work=NME|date=15 November 2004|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173743/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-33-1361772|url-status=live}}
* Second UK tour: {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-23-1367181|title=Rock'N'Roll Christmas Carols|work=NME|date=5 October 2004|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111172859/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-23-1367181|url-status=live}}
* Second US tour with Kasabian: {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-27-1355791|title=Welcome to the North!|work=NME|date=11 January 2005|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173708/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-27-1355791|url-status=live}}
* Third UK tour: {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-30-1360806|title=Low-Key Music|work=NME|date=4 April 2005|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173636/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-30-1360806|url-status=live}}</ref> They went on a hiatus while frontman Robert Harvey suffered from alcohol addiction and depression, which saw him spend time in a rehab facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-music-mn0000470452/biography|title=The Music Biography, Songs, & Albums|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|author=Wilson, MacKenzie|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011130058/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-music-mn0000470452/biography|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AM"/><ref name="Drowned"/> He explained that the reception to the album from critics gave him "similar symptoms to a mid-life crisis".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/45348/|title=The Music's Rob Harvey: 'I Turned Into Lord Of The Rings' Gollum'|work=[[Gigwise]]|date=13 August 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=10 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310062522/https://www.gigwise.com/news/45348/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Music played a comeback show in December 2006 in Leeds, where they debuted four new songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-17-1338580|title=The Music make live return|work=NME|date=13 December 2006|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173618/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-17-1338580|url-status=live}}</ref> Their next album was recorded at [[Townhouse Studios]] in London and Magnetic North Studios with engineer Max Dingel and assistant recording engineer Alex MacKenzie. [[Flood (producer)|Flood]] and [[Paul Hartnoll]] co-produced the majority of the songs, with them doing additional production on "Idle" and "Inconceivable Odds"; these two were produced by the band. [[Richard McNamara]] of [[Embrace (English band)|Embrace]] produced and mixed "No Danger". Dingel mixed the rest of recordings at Assault & Battery Studios, before the album was mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk in New York City.<ref name=SINbooklet/>
==Composition==
Julian Marszalek of [[BBC Music]] said to counteract the "domination of neighbours Kaiser Chiefs and The Pigeon Detectives", ''Strength in Numbers'' has the Music "fighting back by venturing deep into [[Electronic music|electronic]] territory".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9vmq/|title=The Music Strength In Numbers Review|publisher=[[BBC Music]]|author=Marszalek, Julian|date=2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=16 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316153249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9vmq/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] reviewer Andrew Leahey said the album's "loud, bombastic moments" make them come across as the "younger siblings of [[Muse (band)|Muse]]".<ref name="AM"/> Dom Gourlay of ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' suggested that ten of the album's 12 tracks included "references [...] to a time when the future of the band, and Harvey's career in the music business for that matter, seemed to be in doubt".<ref name="Drowned"/>
The chorus sections in "The Spike" evoke the work of [[New Order (band)|New Order]], while it was overall compared to [[Apollo 440]].<ref name=NMELondon>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-10-1335655|title=The Music debut new songs at tiny London gig|work=NME|date=4 March 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173539/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-10-1335655|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=YMreview/> "Drugs" comes across as a mix between [[Coldplay]] and [[Moby]]; "Idle" features [[Panning (audio)|hard-panned]] acoustic instrumentation, backing an [[Elbow (band)|Elbow]]-esque chorus section.<ref name=YMreview/><ref name="Pitch"/> "The Left Side" is a mid-tempo song that borrows from 1980s [[gothic rock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/the-music-ica-london-811095.html|title=The Music, ICA, London|work=[[The Independent]]|author=Mugan, Chris|date=18 April 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029051735/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/the-music-ica-london-811095.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "Fire" begins with [[U2]]-esque guitar riff that recalls their song "[[Vertigo (U2 song)|Vertigo]]" (2004), leading into a [[New wave music|new wave]] sound in the vein of the band's earlier songs, such as "Getaway" and "Take the Long Road and Walk It" from their [[The Music (album)|2002 self-titled debut studio album]].<ref name=NMESheff>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-the-music-8274-305137|title=The Music|work=NME|author=Martin, Rick|date=5 March 2007|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173610/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-the-music-8274-305137|url-status=live}}</ref> "Get Through It" takes influence from [[Primal Scream]], sharing the same drum pattern as that band's song "[[Swastika Eyes]]" (1999), and is followed by the [[baggy]] track "Vision".<ref name="Drowned"/><ref name=NMELondon/> "No Weapon Sharper Than Will" is a [[New rave|rave-rock]] song; the album's closing song "Inconceivable Odds" is an acoustic ballad, reminiscent of the work of [[Richard Ashcroft]].<ref name=ITMreview/> The [[hidden track]] "No Danger" is a [[Led Zeppelin]]-lite [[Jam session|freak-out]].<ref name=NMESheff/>
==Release and promotion==
In March 2008, the band played a short, four-date tour of the UK under the banner of the Four Cities tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-5-1330902|title=The Music to play intimate low-key gigs|work=NME|date=6 February 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173548/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-5-1330902|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NMEFour>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-8-1333889|title=The Music announce next leg of unique tour|work=NME|date=10 March 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173533/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-8-1333889|url-status=live}}</ref> They repeated this with four UK shows in April 2008 with support from the Officers and then again in May 2008.<ref name=NMEFour/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/42226/gigwise-exclusive-the-music-name-new-album-and-reveal-tracklisting|title=Gigwise Exclusive: The Music Name New Album And Reveal Tracklisting|work=Gigwise|date=9 April 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926024557/http://www.gigwise.com/news/42226/gigwise-exclusive-the-music-name-new-album-and-reveal-tracklisting|url-status=live}}</ref> The idea was that the band would return to the same cities in successive months at bigger venues per occasion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/42440/|title=Tuesday 15/04/08 The Music @ ICA, London|work=Gigwise|author=McEwen, Rick|date=17 April 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329163057/https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/42440/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 April 2008, ''Strength in Numbers'' was announced for release in two months' time; alongside this, the track listing was posted online.<ref name=NMEannounce>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-11-1322340|title=The Music reveal new album details|work=NME|date=9 April 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111174256/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-11-1322340|url-status=live}}</ref> "Strength in Numbers" was released as the album's [[lead single]] on 9 June 2008; the CD edition included "Symbol of Hope", "What Am I" and "Traps".<ref name=NMEannounce/><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Strength in Numbers"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records|id=176 769-5}}</ref> Two versions were released on [[Phonograph record|seven-inch vinyl record]]: the first with a remixe of "Strength in Numbers" by [[The Whip (band)|the Whip]], while the other featured "Victim".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Strength in Numbers"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records|id=1767717}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Strength in Numbers"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records|id=1767718}}</ref> ''Strength in Numbers'' was released on 16 June 2008 through [[Polydor Records]] and Yes, Please!.<ref name=NMEannounce/><ref name=SINbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Strength in Numbers|others=The Music|year=2008|type=booklet|publisher=[[Polydor Records]]/Yes, Please!|id=1766122}}</ref> A special edition was released in Europe, which included the bonus tracks "The Price" and "The Rain", while the Japanese edition included various B-sides and remixes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Strength in Numbers|others=The Music|year=2008|type=booklet|publisher=Polydor Records|id=1773373}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Strength in Numbers|others=The Music|year=2008|type=booklet|publisher=Polydor Records|id=UICP-9034/5}}</ref>
Following an appearance at the [[Isle of Wight Festival]], the band went on another tour of the UK, running into July 2008, and ending with a performance at [[T in the Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-7-1333648|title=The Music announce huge UK tour|work=NME|date=22 April 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111174021/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-7-1333648|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-9-1335299|title=The Music give love to Scotland at T In The Park|work=NME|date=11 July 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173906/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-9-1335299|url-status=live}}</ref> "The Spike" was released as the second single from the album on 11 August 2008.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="The Spike"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records|id=SPIKE1}}</ref> The seven-inch vinyl record version included "Honest", while the CD edition featured "Just Cos I'm Alone", "Hands on Fire" and a remix of "The Spike".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="The Spike"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records|id=1778424}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="The Spike"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records/Yes, Please!|id=1779377}}</ref> Harvey played a one-off acoustic show that same month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-6-1332857|title=The Music's Rob Harvey to play rare acoustic show|work=NME|date=26 August 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173846/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-6-1332857|url-status=live}}</ref> "Drugs" was issued as the album's third and final single on 13 October 2008; it was released as a two-disc seven-inch vinyl record set with "Funky" and remixes of "Drugs".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Drugs"|others=The Music|year=2008|type=sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records/Yes, Please!|id=1788037}}</ref> The following day, the music video for "Drugs" preimiered on ''[[DIY (magazine)|This Is Fake DIY]]''{{'s}} website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/videos/the-music-drugs|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412035430/http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/videos/the-music-drugs|title=The Music - Drugs|work=[[DIY (magazine)|This Is Fake DIY]]|date=14 October 2008|archivedate=12 April 2011|access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref> The single was promoted with tour of the UK that same month; it was followed by a short stint in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-16-1329794|title=The Music announce new live dates and single|work=NME|date=3 September 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173924/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-16-1329794|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-15-1328924|title=The Music cancel tonight's show|work=NME|date=18 October 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116215958/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-music-15-1328924|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-music-london-roundhouse|title=The Music - London Roundhouse|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|date=31 October 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329163059/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-music-london-roundhouse|url-status=live}}</ref> Coinciding with this, another edition of the album was released in Japan, which featured a DVD with music videos, live performances and a documentary.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Strength in Numbers|others=The Music|year=2008|type=booklet|publisher=Polydor Records/Yes, Please!|id=UICP-9038}}</ref> In February 2009, the band toured Australia as part of the nationwide tour The Big O, headlining alongside [[the Fratellis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/the-big-o-feat-the-music-fratellis-manning-bar-27-02-09/|title=The Big O feat. The Music + Fratellis – Manning Bar (27.02.09)|work=The AU Review|author=Heath, Larry|date=1 March 2009|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110220804/https://www.theaureview.com/music/the-big-o-feat-the-music-fratellis-manning-bar-27-02-09/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
| MC        = 54/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/strength-in-numbers/the-music/critic-reviews|title=Strength In Numbers by The Music|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=29 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329163057/https://www.metacritic.com/music/strength-in-numbers/the-music/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1      = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/strength-in-numbers-mw0000798690|title=Strength in Numbers - The Music / Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Leahey, Andrew|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424230613/https://www.allmusic.com/album/strength-in-numbers-mw0000798690|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2      = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]''
| rev2score = 6/10<ref name="Drowned">{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/3470523|title=Album Review: The Music - Strength In Numbers|website=[[Drowned in Sound]]|last=Gourlay|first=Dom|date=16 June 2008|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=3 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803195204/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/3470523|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev3      = ''[[God Is in the TV]]''
| rev3score = 3.5/5<ref name=GIITTVreview>{{cite web|url=http://archive.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/indexc79f.html?c=Albums&id=2444|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622131230/http://archive.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/indexc79f.html?c=Albums&id=2444|title=God Is in the TV Review|work=[[God Is in the TV]]|last=Catling|first=Simon Jay|date=19 May 2008|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=22 June 2013}}</ref>
| rev4      = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=Guardianreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/13/popandrock.shopping|title=The Guardian Review|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Simpson|first=Dave|date=13 June 2008|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424230613/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/13/popandrock.shopping|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev5      = ''[[NME]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=NMEreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-the-music-9747-329122|title=NME Review|website=[[NME]]|author=McBain, Hamish|date=11 June 2008|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424230612/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-the-music-9747-329122|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev6      = [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]
| rev6score = 5.1/10<ref name="Pitch">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12055-strength-in-numbers/|title=The Music: Strength In Numbers Album Review - Pitchfork|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Cohen|first=Ian|date=8 August 2008|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424230613/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12055-strength-in-numbers/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev7      = [[Yahoo! Music]]
| rev7score = {{Rating|4|10}}<ref name=YMreview>{{cite web|url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/080619/33/21z7v.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624020342/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/080619/33/21z7v.html|title=The Music - Strength In Numbers|publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]|author=Berry, James|date=19 June 2008|archivedate=24 June 2008|accessdate=28 March 2022}}</ref>
}}
''Strength in Numbers'' was met with mixed reviews from critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 54 based on ten reviews.<ref name="MC"/>
<!-- overall song quality -->
Leahey thought the ''Strength in Numbers'' turned "out to be a nice comeback, particularly during the tracks that find that sweet spot between bubbling electronics and stadium Brit-rock".<ref name="AM"/> Gourlay explained that while the album is "not exactly redefining the zeitgeist," it was a substantial improvement "than anyone could have expected".<ref name="Drowned"/> ''[[NME]]'' writer Hamish McBain said the "fire is still there, along with a new-found eloquence", though mentioned that the [[new rave]] scene "ain’t going to make it easy for The Music [...] to spread their appeal beyond the already-signed-up this time around".<ref name=NMEreview/> <!-- ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' contributor Ian Cohen said the album was "far from unlistenable but when the chorus of the title track hits [...], it's damn refreshing to hear a group bound for glory as shamelessly as the Music".<ref name="Pitch"/> --> James Berry of [[Yahoo! Music]] felt that one of the band's issues was that they appeared "happy to key in co-ordinates and take the most efficient route, trusting neither their hearts nor their heads".<ref name=YMreview/> ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]''{{'s}} David Brinn wrote that the album "may sound great on the dance floor, but on CD the songs are repetitive, unimaginative and utterly immemorable".<ref name=TJPreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/arts-and-culture/music/disc-reviews-queen-and-paul-rodgers-kings-of-leon-the-music|title=Disc Reviews: Queen & Paul Rodgers, Kings of Leon, The Music|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|author=Brinn, David|date=8 December 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110220719/https://www.jpost.com/arts-and-culture/music/disc-reviews-queen-and-paul-rodgers-kings-of-leon-the-music|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- production -->
Gourlay felt Hartnoll's production "seems to have watered their sound down, and at times it is hard to distinguish one song from the next".<ref name="Drowned"/> ''[[The Guardian]]'' critic Dave Simpson remarked that Hartnoll's "electronic chassis" outed the band as an "even less subtle Kasabian".<ref name=Guardianreview/> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' contributor Ian Cohen was critical of Hartnoll's work, stating that his "wall-banging production raises serious questions about whether human hands actually made anything on ''Strength in Numbers''".<ref name="Pitch"/> Matthew Shaw of ''Is this music?'' pointed out that the opening song "should only really pass for a demo", which was a "thematic problem for quite a few of the songs".<ref name=ITMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.isthismusic.com/the-music-2|title=The Music - Strength In Numbers|work=Is this music?|author=Shaw, Matthew|date=20 June 2008|access-date=29 March 2022|archive-date=6 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006115605/http://www.isthismusic.com/the-music-2|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Strength in Numbers'' charted at number 13 in Scotland and number 19 in the UK .<ref name=Scochart/><ref name=UKchart/>
==Track listing==
All songs written by the Music.<ref name=SINbooklet/>
{{Track listing
|headline=''Strength in Numbers'' track listing
|title1=[[Strength in Numbers (The Music single)|Strength In Numbers]]
|length1=3:41
|title2=The Spike
|length2=4:01
|title3=Drugs
|length3=5:20
|title4=Idle
|length4=3:37
|title5=The Left Side
|length5=3:29
|title6=Fire
|length6=2:58
|title7=Get Through It
|length7=2:58
|title8=Vision
|length8=4:23
|title9=The Last One
|length9=3:44
|title10=No Weapon Sharper Than Will
|length10=3:51
|title11=Cold Blooded
|length11=4:20
|title12=Inconceivable Odds
|note12=includes [[hidden track]] "No Danger"
|length12=12:43<!-- without hidden track: 4:28 -->
}}
==Personnel==
Personnel per booklet.<ref name=SINbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Strength in Numbers|others=The Music|year=2008|type=booklet|publisher=[[Polydor Records]]/Yes, Please!|id=1766122}}</ref>
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''The Music'''
* Robert Harvey – vocals, reverse guitar, sequencers, percussion, gang vocals <small>(track 8)</small>, claps <small>(track 8)</small>
* Adam Nutter – guitars, sequencers, piano, synths, drum programming, strings, mandolins, bass, harmonica, gang vocals <small>(track 8)</small>, claps <small>(track 8)</small>
* Stuart Coleman – bass
* Phil Jordan – drums, gang vocals <small>(track 8)</small>, claps <small>(track 8)</small>
'''Additional musicians'''
* [[Flood (producer)|Flood]] – [[ARP Instruments|ARP]] rhythms, gang vocals <small>(track 8)</small>, claps <small>(track 8)</small>
* [[Paul Hartnoll]] – sequencers, synths, programmed beats, reverse reverb vocal effect
* Alex Mackenzie – gang vocals <small>(track 8)</small>, claps <small>(track 8)</small>
{{col-2}}
'''Production and design'''
* Flood – co-producer <small>(all except tracks 4 and 12)</small>, additional production <small>(tracks 4 and 12)</small>
* Paul Hartnoll – co-producer <small>(all except tracks 4 and 12)</small>, additional production <small>(tracks 4 and 12)</small>
* The Music – producer <small>(tracks 4 and 12)</small>
* [[Richard McNamara]] – producer <small>(hidden track)</small>, mixing <small>(hidden track)</small>
* Max Dingel – engineer, mixing
* Alex Mackenzie – assistant recording engineer
* [[Howie Weinberg]] – mastering
* Rob Carter – image
* Smiler Assoc – image
{{col-end}}
==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Chart performance for ''Strength in Numbers''
! Chart (2008)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|30|artist=The Music|album=Strength in Numbers|rowheader=true|access-date=11 May 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|13|date=20080622|rowheader=true|access-date=25 April 2021|refname=Scochart}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|date=20080628|19|rowheader=true|access-date=25 April 2021|refname=UKchart}}
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices -->
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khGvkJaTeS1Nzweh3ZJuVBAcN4GNpTN6k ''Strength in Numbers''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed)
{{The Music}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2008 albums]]
[[Category:The Music (band) albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Flood (producer)]]
[[Category:Polydor Records albums]]