Thursday, May 21, 2009
Concert Review: The Crystal Method at House of Blues (May 20)
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After a five-year hiatus, Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan, known collectively as The Crystal Method, have taken back to the road. Supporting the release of their latest album, Divided By Night, the duo stopped by the Dallas House of Blues on Wednesday, filling the venue with thumping bass and synthesizers aplenty.
The Crystal Method feat. Matisyahu - "Drown in the Now"
The set opened with a track from Divided By Night, "Drown in the Now." Featuring vocals by Matisyahu, it played before Kirkland and Jordan even entered the stage and, as the first single from the new album to have an accompanying video, images of the Jewish rapper in a black and white, 2D form were splayed on the two giant, circular screens that flanked the backdrop.
As the opening song closed, the duo took their places amid the Mac laptops and mixing equipment and the light show that is typical of The Crystal Method live began.
The screens, probably six or seven feet in diameter, showcased various images to accompany the tuneage. Providing a fun optical effect, spherical projections, including the speaker-clad globe from the Divided By Night cover, appeared to be 3D orbs rotating in tempo. No fewer than 40 lights illuminated the stage area, spinning and flashing, making even seizure-free attendees feel as though a brain spasm might be on the horizon. The elaborate lighting offset fairly simple dress by the duo, who wore jeans, dark-colored t-shirts, and grey suit jackets, quickly shed.
The nearly sold-out crowd, consisting largely of early 20- to late 30-somethings, seemed at a loss for how to react for the first half of Wednesday night’s set. As several tracks from the new album were playing, most just stood, rhythmless, watching Jordan and Kirkland stretch and jam across their respective spaces.
But the concert-goers eventually loosened up and familiar beats entered the soundspace as The Crystal Method pulled from some of their previous collections, including Vegas and Tweekend. The main floor eventually became a dance floor and those who paid extra to sit in the seats above appeared envious of the middlings’ ability to move around.
A testament to TCM’s creativity and intentional vision, the show did not play out as a rave. Crossing the line between rock and rave, while most of the songs lead into one another, it was obvious when one ended and the other began. Differentiation made the set a collection of works as opposed to an hour and a half long song.
Differentiation also made it clear which album one was listening to. The duo’s new material doesn’t sound like a rehash of their debut, Vegas. It’s at times far smoother and more melodic, though still heavy-hitting, often taking on the characteristics of the non-electronica guest vocalists’ styles. Divided By Night, released earlier this month, features a number of current artists like Matisyahu, Meiko, Justin Warfield (She Wants Revenge) and LMFAO, in addition to Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order), which lends the album some 80’s influence, a trend making a comeback in electronic music.
From L.A., Jordan made the local connection by introducing his partner as “the biggest Cowboys fan in the world,” a sentiment well-received. The set concluded with two of The Crystal Method’s biggest hits, “Busy Child,” followed by an encore featuring the non-Filtered version of “Trip Like I Do.”
Often half-decade gaps between studio album releases can bury a band in obscurity. With a drive less to reinvent, but to refresh, The Crystal Method prove themselves to be relevant and rocking even twelve years after conception.
Erin Rice
The Crystal Method at the House of Blues Dallas
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Comments
Scott Doyle Verified
The main floor eventually became a dance floor and those who paid extra to sit in the seats above appeared envious of the middlings’ ability to move around.
The way it should be. Paying extra to sit at a concert = doing it wrong.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Kidd Verified
Im in total agreement on this. Im just curious, Whats the deal w/ all the good bands/groups playing midweek in dallas, why cant we get them on the weekends??
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Collin Gouldin Verified
how jacked up on cocaine were they?
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
James Scott Verified
Scott - I can imagine some concerts you might want to sit down for, but this certainly wasn't one of them.
This was my first trip to HOB, and I have to say I was impressed. It was interesting to get a bird's-eye view of their setup from the upper level, but yeah, it was much more fun downstairs.
This review says "nearly sold-out" - it seemed pretty thin to me - but again, this was my first trip. Is it usually that easy to move around on a "nearly sold-out" night? I didn't try to make my way closer to the stage though, so maybe it felt more crowded up there. There was hardly anyone sitting up in the seats.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Erin Rice Verified
James, I was told by someone at the door that there weren't too many tickets left, and down on the floor we certainly felt crowded, (until people started to jet), but it could have just been where I was. Thanks for the perspective on the seats, I could only see a couple rows up from the floor.
Here's my crowd pic, if interested in all things crowd!
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
James Scott, i just did the Katy Perry show at HoB last week -- a show that was officially sold out and, like you, i was surprised at how much open space there was, especially in the back of the hall. it made me realize that sold-out (or, in this case, "close to sold out") shows at HoB still leave you with plenty of "leg room" - for which i am eternally grateful. not sure if you were around in the old days of Deep Ellum Live where, when a show was sold out, it was a can of sardines.
i noticed it's the same deal at the palladium -- sold-out shows there are still reasonably spacious. dallas has really upgraded from the '90s, man
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
They will, on occasion, still pack it out. Old 97's @ HOB in December, you couldn't scratch your nose without hitting someone.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Erin Rice Verified
Apparently a very tall gangly guy behind us was scratching his nose A LOT, b/c he kept banging elbows and knees into our backs until we could find an escape route.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
Palladium and House of Blues both have really good spaces. Up near the front of the stage it's a sardine can or a mosh pit, if that's what you're looking or - which you should be - but you can also hang back, and see the show just as well from a calmer location. A++ architecture.
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
The Crystal Method I recall, did the sound track for the Costner film of 6 Elvis types who rob a Vegas Casino....5.000 mile to Graceland...what ever...they have been around... and they were hot..some years back, what is their update....A/T, House of Blues is a Folk Art Museum of news..
5 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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