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The
Crystal Method
Tweekend
(Outpost
Recordings/Geffen Records)
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Words by Jen Kriesel
Bonanzaradio.com
August, 2001
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The Crystal Method
Tweekend
This new Crystal Method offering is the perfect
git your sweaty ass up off the couch and rump-shake your way through
the dawg daze of August record. Tweekend has all the butt-kick
highly anticipated from this sequel to the glee romp of its predecessor,
Vegas.
Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan have crafted quite an exemplary
electronic music album, which is no small feat. Their writing
stands out from the typical techno crowd because they offer up
not just loops, beats or grooves, but don't follow usual rock/pop
song structures either. These tracks are more like sublime movements
in a booty symphony. As stand-alone pieces, each song is a solid,
compact impact of funk, rhythm, and whomp. Taken as a whole, they
flow with crackling, sizzling energy across the entire album.
And they got great help on this work, not that these two geniuses
needed it. Several tracks on Tweekend are co-written and
co-produced by Tom Morello, stellar guitarist for the former Rage
Against The Machine. His supreme axe talents shine gloriously
on "Wild, Sweet And Cool" and the album's first single,
"Name Of The Game," giving them a harder edged bite
and steely spine. A nearly unrecognizeable Scott Weiland of Stone
Temple Pilots contributes vocals and co-production to "Murder,"
which has a slightly more downtempo, 70's retro vibe. Jon Brion
- who lent his production, chamberlain, piano and keyboard skills
to Fiona Apple, Macy Gray, Aimee Mann, Dave Navarro, The Wallflowers,
Rufus Wainwright and The Eels - adds those same skills to "Over
The Line," one of the prettiest and most mellow slices of
Tweekend.
The intro to "Roll It Up" mimicks that of Moby's "South
Side," but it quickly romps off in a far far juicier direction.
The Crystal Method have managed to craft heavy-duty grooviness
that has space, humor, and a human element to it. This isn't a
collection of cranked up ultra-bpm wanking or a relentless pile
driver aural assault as many things in the electronic genre can
be. They make music that's instantly accessible without being
oversimplified. They've achieved a magnificent hooky, gotta-move-to-it
vibe without a touch of triteness. Surfing the wave between too-pop
and too-rock, they splash down on the sweet swanky spot smack-dab
in between.
The CD comes with a limited edition "Calling All Freaks!
Access Granted" pass with a special identification number
to register for contests, downloads and other tasty goodies on
the Crystal Method web site.
Tweekend is the soundtrack to life as a really really cool,
wicked fun video game where hot babe characters have all the best
transports, weapons as well as killer shades. This is a saucy,
sexy, steamy, meaty hunk of a record. It's got a fucking great
beat and you sure can dance to it till you're all kinds of good
and sweaty. I give it a 10.
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