Vegas [ENHANCED]

The Crystal Method

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 26, 1997)
• Original Release Date: August 26, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Fontana Geffen
• ASIN: B000002RBV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (257 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,223 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland started distributing homemade singles around Los Angeles at the beginning of the '90s, their bass-fortified, hard-rolling techno concoctions perked up the ears of industry impresarios and local scenesters alike. Vegas, their affectionately-titled major label debut, refines the formula. Thick with layers of pounding beats and rock dynamics, it takes the typical club fare and beefs it up with a uniquely western slant. The detectable influences range from the power chords of AC/DC to old school hip-hop patterns to the smooth melodies of Stevie Wonder. On blistering tracks like "Trip Like I Do" and "Keep Hope Alive," the Crystal Method confirm that America has become a force of contention in the electronica field. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thump thump, boom boom music, March 12, 2000

By	"weapon_xxx" (U.S.) - See all my reviews

I've always been an on again and off again semi-dedicated techno/electronica fan (big emphasis on "semi"). Usually my taste in the genre falls under the trance and house music scene. So I was basically stepping on new land when I chose to buy "Vegas" which many of my friends label as "thump, thump...boom, boom techno". The end listening results, being as honest as possible, were a lot of head nodding and booty shaking on my part. "Vegas" and the Crystal Meth duo are nothing short of fun. That's right, FUN techno. From "Trip Like I Do", "Busy Child", "Vapor Trail", "Comin' Back"...actually, the whole shabang. A good mix of rock and roll vibes and groovin mellower beats. My only real gripe against this album is that half of it is probably something you've heard before, either through the radio or in movie soundtracks (I've seen a gajillion futuristic movie previews use at least one Crystal Method track). So that takes off half a point, and the other half a star comes off because you really need a long attention span for this CD. Like another reviewer said, this is music "to use" and not just to listen to. You've got to condition yourself to like it...my best definition is that it's focusing/hype music, (i.e. driving, dancing, sports, studying). Either way you look at it, we all need a little Crystal Meth in our lives.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest albums ever recorded, September 5, 2004

By	Catherine Robinson "eldheler" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is mind blowing. I've had it for over 2 years and have never been sick of it. It never gets old, every track I have loved at one time and not one have I ever disliked, this CD spends more time in my walkman more then all my other CDs combined. Defiantly one of the best albums ever recorded.

Coming from LA this is one of the few good American electronica bands, most good ones coming from England. It's an insult to call it techno, so I'll just call it electronica.

1. Trip Like I Do - 9/10 Ok well as the name says it's really trippy, with vocals from a message left on one of the band members message machines (no joke) and a good beat itis a strong song.
2. Busy Child - 10/10 This will easily become your first favorite song, though after a year I grew out of it it still is catchy and I love it to pieces.
3. Cherry Twist - 9.5/10 Bit of a weird intro, but its just such a cool song, it's so hard to describe these songs but just listen to it yourself!
4. Highroller - 10/10 Took me a while to like this song, repetition sort of drove me crazy, but it is such a mindblowing song I can't get enough of it now. Radios love this song (and other TCM songs) for background or intros to radio shows, I hear it all the time.
5. Comming Back - 9/10 This song has alot more vocals then the others, its still a strong song, but not my favorite.
6. Keep Hope Alive - 10/10 This is the song that made them famous, written about police crackdowns on underground clubs it's amazing. So many times I wonder what a Matrix fight scene would look like with this as the soundtrack. Used in alot of trailers...
7. Vapor Trail - 9.5/10 This song you will never tire of, it's something about having a catchy tune, but not so catchy you tie of it.
8. She's My Pusher - 9.5/10 Much like Vapor Trail it's just a perfect song for relaxing, doing homework/work cause with no vocals it's not distracting.
9. Jaded - 9/10 This song can get a little annoying, but its still really cool...just listen to it.
10. Bad Stone - 1000/10 Seriously, I can't tell you how good this song is. It's so beautiful, funny way to describe a song but it's true. Honestly I must have heard this song over 1000 times, never tire of it, it's been played over 150 on ITunes and I've only had ITunes for 2 months. This song alone is worth the price of the whole CD.

Overall, even if you aren't much of an electronica fan, BUY THIS CD, so many songs are great for just listening to, to relax to, or get some work done.

If you like this CD/band be sure to check out The Prodigy (a British band, 'Fat of the Land' is a GREAT CD), Chemical Brothers (another British electronica band), Propellerheads, Fatboy Slim and Lunatic Calm.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crystal Method knows how to make music, October 6, 2000

By	"drdre77" (Fraser, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

Techno has acquired a stereotype of repetition and lack of creativity.This assumption ususally comes from those who hear the radio and/or MTV version of most of the songs and the artists. This is their problem and their loss alike. "The Crystal Method: Vegas" is one of the best CD's relaesed by any artist, of any kind of music in a long time. usually you get 2, maybe 3 songs worth listening to on a CD.I like every song from track (1) "Trip Like I Do to (10) "Bad Stone". It's good, addictive music. You can listen to it, no matter what mood you're in. Busy Child is the only song I no longer listen to anymore. MTV's exploitation on the original "AMP" and the use of it in a GAP commercial ruined it for me. It's still a good song regardless. If you don't like techno, but you haven't heard much, this is the CD to listen to if you want to give it a chance. I recommend it to everyone.