Crystal Method - Legion of Boom

  • Published
    Mar 21, 2004
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  • Released
    Jan 13th 2004
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  • It has been said that L.A.’s The Crystal Method was the answer to UK’s The Chemical Brothers. One of the pioneers’ of American underground techno music, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland have been keeping hope alive since the 90’s with their anathematic pieces of music that have gone beyond the raves, electronic nightclubs, and dance festivals into mainstream media. At a time where Alternative Rock was dwindling, and bubblegum pop music was hailing its return, The Crystal Method, Moby, Prodigy, and DJ Rap were leading the way for mainstream audiences to discover a new wall of sound. Already respected amongst the underground scene, the pars first long-player “Vegas,” created a storm of unparallel proportions as television, film, and interactive media were licensing tracks off it and propelling the duo into stardom. Now, after 8 years from the first release, the instrumentals that heavily influenced the debut album progresses into full-on collaborations between rappers, rock stars, and a supermodel to form a lavish hybrid of sound to appeal to both fans of trendy electronica and to the hardcore Legion of Boom. For the majority of Legion of Boom, echoes of the Method’s signature style of breakbeat and big beat unleashes rapidly from left-to-right with multiply screening of friends to assist the foundation to what embodies “Legion of Boom.” Rapper Rahzel leads the pack with three, while Limp Bizkit’s former lead guitarist Wes Borland contributes his low-n-high end of devastating riffs. Followed closes by Ska-Key and Lisa; while John Garcia and Milla Jovovich appears only once (which the latter I was disappointed to see that she only appears once while Rahzel and Borland combine for six). The introduction that begins the album is a seminal opener. “Starting Over” builds slowly and surely I believed that somehow The Crystal Method have grown up; and then it hits me – and it hits me hard as the first single, “Born Too Slow” shops up a slick and dirty guitar riff courtesy of Wes Borland; thrashing beats and the raw vocals of John Garcia race the track deeper and heavier as the seconds run by. The album jump-starts very early with massive influence with heavy, heavy metal theatrics. The percussive channel that is recognized on “The American Way” sees Rahzel donating the first of his three-part donation to The Crystal Method. Rahzel, one of hip hops most amazing beat-boxers and free forming lyricist shows here. Rapping about the ‘American Way,’ he somehow throws in a joke about American Idol. The gem of the album belongs to Supermodel/Actress/Musician Milla Jovovich who continues to blow my mind with how much talent this girl has. Her ethereal voice in “I Know It’s You” is unsettling as it evokes haunting pictures of the moonlight. Just her moans alone raise the goosebumps off my neck. Somehow I get the same dreams that I do from listening to the Requiem for A Dream soundtrack. It’s subtle and exquisite in every good way possible. The trippy sounds of “Broken Glass” messed up with what seems like part two of “Born Too Slow,” comes in the fashion of “Weapons of Mass Distortion.” The chaos continues as the riff-conscious track disperses shattering breaks. It seems that the lack of showcasing with Limp got Wes to release all the trigger-happy madness that has been bottling up since his departure. The final moments belong to Lisa and Sha-key. The intensity of “Wide Open” and “High and Low” propels the album drifting into space. Started as producers, then growing as a live techno act, Jordan and Kirkland has now fully amalgamated with rappers, rock stars, and a supermodel to create a lavish hybrid of sound to appeal to both fans of trendy electronica and hardcore faithful. Staying true to their strengths, the new album will please many fans. Going from extremes – Legion of Boom packs enough nocturnal treasures and psychedelic storms that Jordan and Kirkland have been known for. With techno leading the way, American audiences welcomed “Vegas” as the quintessential party record that redefined what dance music was and can be. Mainstream America, always the late boomer to embrace new sounds will once again term electronica as ‘cool.’ Tracklisting 01. Starting Over featuring Rahzel 02. Born Too Slow featuring Wes Borland/John Garcia 03. True Grit 04. The American Way featuring Rahzel 05. I Know It’s You featuring Milla Jovovich 06. Realizer featuring Lisa/Jon Brion 07. Broken Glass featuring Wes Borland 08. Weapons of Mass Distortion featuring Wes Borland 09. Bound Too Long featuring Ska-Key 10. Acetone featuring Rahzel 11. High and Low featuring Lisa 12. Wide Open featuring Sha-key http://www.v2records.com http://www.thecrystalmethod.com
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