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CD Review: The Crystal Method, "Community Service II" (Ultra)
Dust off your glow-in-the-dark binky and buy stock in Red Bull, because The Crystal Method is back with a new album that boasts enough big, block-rocking beats to fuel an airplane-hanger-sized rave.
The Method men follow up 2004's successful "Legion of Boom," which received a Grammy nomination in the new Best Electronic/Dance Album category, with the second installment of their ongoing break-beat series. While the first release focused primarily on remixed works by contemporary artists such as Rage Against the Machine, P.O.D. and Garbage, "Community Service II" stays on the old-school tip as Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland funk up tracks by The Doors and New Order.
It isn't much of a stretch to imagine Crystal Method having its way with New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" in the DJ booth. However, it's somewhat startling to hear Jim Morrison drive his big, Harley-sized voice through the clutter of disco beats and swirling, new-wave sounds on "The Crystal Method vs. The Doors," which is built very shakily upon the classic "Roadhouse Blues."
Crystal Method receives plenty of help on "Community Service II" from such break-beat producers as U.N.K.L.E., Evil Nine and the New Originals, whose mix of the Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" ranks as perhaps the disc's best track.
