The Crystal Method
Vegas

THE REVIEW

The dance phenomenon of Big Beat was born in the UK in the '90s, and since then it has been carried forward with bass and pogo by lethal bands like Prodigy (led by the all-round DJ Liam Howlett) and Chemical Brothers (who often tackle interesting musical developments), to name two of the most well-known.

When in 1997 Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan recorded Vegas, the situation became interesting. The two American composers indeed showed their vision of the European phenomenon without copying and with a coating of personality.

In reality, Vegas doesn't contain particular electronic virtuosity, but rather an underlying simplicity that makes the album enjoyable and accessible to various audience needs. Typical samples of the genre (taken from the film The Dark Crystal and NASA broadcasts during the Apollo 8 mission), and darker moments than others are immediately noticeable, but the characteristic element is the nocturnal mood and restless trip hop style that emanate from the notes of the dark Trip Like I Do and especially the constant High Roller.

Considered even seminal, the album received positive reviews, accolades, and remixes from big names like Paul Oakenfold and Deadmau5.

The English version also features the bonus track (Can't You) Trip Like I Do, an experimental fusion between the Crystal Method and the industrial metal band Filter, also appearing on the Spawn soundtrack. A track infused with sharp guitars and frustration.

Imagine the open and vast space, the fear of the infinite void, or the anger of a thousand dark streets, all of this is Vegas.