Customer Reviews

Vegas

5 star:		(193)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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.

I bought this cd thinking I may get one, maybe two good cuts. I was happy to find that ALL the cuts are good. "trip like I do" starts off the album and eases into a electro-funk beat then just explodes into a "kick you in the face" jam that totally kicks."busy child" is next and is everything a techno song should be as is "cherry twist" My personal favorite on the cd is "high roller" this song is absolutely amazing. buy this cd just for it alone my one complaint is that I wish I lasted a bit longer. "comin' back" is good but unfortunately they decided to go to the stock techno formula and throw in the cookie cutter female vocals. but who cares, the track is solid despite this. they get right back on track with "keep hope alive" this track just sweeps in and freakin' rocks! the energy stays up for "vapor trail" then "she's My pusher" hits you with some of the most interesting progams on the entire album. "jaded" more stock female vocal (more annoying than 'comin'back' I might add)but once again they wrap the song with excellent beats and programs so you dont mind the little girl voice. the whole thing wraps up with "bad stone" which for me is the next best track on the cd. if you like chemical bros., propellerheads ,delerium, sounds from the ground, etc. you will like .. I like ...dance pool boy!

Not exactly. While any intelligent person will admit that sometimes you just don't like a genre of music, when a non-fan of electronic music is asked for a reason, the most common response runs along the lines of "it's too boring/it makes me sleepy," a stereotype aquired, no doubt, by associating all electronica with trance. At the other end of the spectrum, one occasionally hears complaints that it's too loud and harsh, and one can easily understand this, especially if someone's only previous contact with electronica was "Fat of the Land" by the Prodigy.

In Vegas, the Crystal Method takes a rather interesting approach. Instead of aiming for one side or the other, they attempt to combine the hypnotic qualities of trance with the aggressive qualities of big beat. For the most part, they succeed.

I could take the time to describe individual tracks, but it will suffice to say that the effect is accomplished through combining thumping hooks with airy keyboards (and excellent vocals by Trixy Reiss) The effect begins to lessen near the end of the album, but not enough to make the listener lose interest. As far as its usefullness as a sleep aid goes, it depends on how good the bass is in your speakers and how sleepy you are (after all, if you're tired enough you can sleep through a Metallica album).

While I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction to the genre, Vegas should be enjoyable to anyone who likes electronic music.

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.

The song that caught my attention was "Keep Hope Alive". At first I was hesitant to buy the CD, but realized that every song one the CD is worth a listen. Here's how I break it down.

(1) TRIP LIKE I DO - Probably the best on the album. I first heard the beginning of the track on the trailer to the Matrix. (2) BUSY CHILD - Another great track. This and KHA are both on the soundtrack to Nitrous Oxide, which is where I first heard this one. There might be more CM songs on it that I missed.

(3) CHERRY TWIST - Not the best, but good nonetheless. It took me a little while to get into it, but now it's one of grown to love. (4) HIGH ROLLER - Tied for my second favorite with #10. This track is amazing, but I have one big gripe. It's too damn short! The track gets going a little after a minute, and ends at about 4, while every other track is from 5:30 to 7:30. (5) COMIN' BACK - My least favorite. I tend to go for the ones w/o the female vocals, but I'll still give this one a listen.

(6) KEEP HOPE ALIVE - Again, the reason I bought Vegas. To my surprise, there are at least three better than this one, though. You might have heard this one at the beginning of The Replacement Killers. (7) VAPOR TRAIL - Can't say much. Just that it's a great track. (8) SHE'S MY PUSHER - Great too. All I have to say. (9) JADED - The second with vocals, but this one is actually pretty good. Give this one a listen. (10) The album ends terrifically with BAD STONE. I really like the piano sequence in it. Well, that's it. Vegas is definitely one the ten best albums I own, and I'm not a techno fan whatsoever.

This CD ranks in the top ten CDs of the 1990s. I consider myself an avid music fan of a multitude of genres, and this CD is a masterpiece. I'm sure there are lots of good CDs that you own, but I guarantee that this will be one of the few pieces you'll actually just *listen* to. Not while driving, or working, or doing a number of other things. Yes, this music is outstanding for work, study, and driving. But even more, this music begs to be listened to. You'll want to stop what your doing, sit in a nice chair, and absorb all the sounds. What The Crystal Method did here may never be reproduced. Prepare to be amazed.

I'm not a techno-fan and I rarely buy stuff that's not a "known quantity". But this CD changed my mind about Techno. Crystal Method's music (especially this CD) is appearing everywhere. "Keep Hope Alive" (Track 6) was what originally hooked me. It's from THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS, though not on the soundtrack. If you rewound and re-watched the opening gunfight scene in the club more than 3 times (just to hear the music), buy this CD! This track was also recently used for the theme song to "Third Watch", the rescue drama on NBC. You might also recognize a few tracks from this CD in a few recent car comercials too (Hey, even good bands have to make a living). The point being, this is one hell of a CD, even if you're a non-techno person like me. Buy it (it's worth the risk).

People complain about how commercial the songs on Vegas are. There is a reason for that: the songs are good. Call me shallow but the only reason why I listen to techno is to give my speakers a run for the money. This is hands down one of the best dance/techno albums of all time. It has very catchy grooves, has withstood the test of time (a real challenge in the electronic music genre) and stays upbeat for the most part thought out the entire album.

I am not saying this is a bad thing but when an electronica group tires to put more depth and creativity into their music, it just isn't very fun to dance too. I enjoy music that wants to make you move and keep the blood flowing. Crystal Method is special because they really hit the nail on the head here. They know how to make big beat music.

I listened to others that make pure dance music like TCM but is cheesy because of senseless lyrics and cheap synths groove loops (2 Unlimited). If you were to own one techno album, this should be one.

I was relatively new to the whole "techno" thing when I bought this album back in '97 when it came out - after I saw them open for The Prodigy. They were great live, so I took a chance on the CD, and I'm glad I did. While The Prodigy, Moby and Underworld had already piqued my interest in techno, this really got my attention. This is a great album for those former punkers (like myself) or rockers who are looking to explore the techno/electronica thing. TCM borrow a lot from straight-ahead rock music: they often employ a verse/chorus/verse approach to their songs, and they use a bit of guitar samples as well, most of all, their stuff just THUMPS. This album just grows on you. By now most everyone has heard songs off this album - samples show up everywhere, movie soundtracks, commercials, etc. A current Mazda commercial plays "High Roller", "Busy Child" was ubiquitous about a year ago, etc. - but this album still plays great, and my favorite tracks on the CD keep changing - Vapor Trail, Cherry Twist, and High Roller" are standouts. This album will definitely get you moving, it is not chill-out music. There is only one fairly mellow song on the CD ("Jaded", if you don't count the wierd "Cricket Interlude" bewtween "High Roller" and "Comin' Back."

I spent a lot of time and money after buying this disc trying to find other stuff that's similar - let me save you the time and money: Crystal Method is unique, there's lots of other good stuff, but none of it sounds like this. Now, I'm just waiting for the new album, which was supposed to be out back in January....