Tweekend

Japanese version featuring a bonus track; 'You Know It's Hard (John Cramer & Stephane K Remix)'

Initially, the sophomore album from California beat-shifters the Crystal Method sounds like the same psychedelic beats and psychotic samples that made their 1997 debut, Vegas, such a riot and established them as the only stateside dance act with real spunk. While Tweekend does apply similar grooves and siren sounds, repeated plays prove that the duo of Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan have learned how to melt the mind in addition to rocking the house. With guest spots by Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello and Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland, Tweekend is both subversive and dance-friendly. In "Murder," Weiland sings over a woozy blend of crunching riffs, wah-wah guitars, Moog moos, and mysterious strings for a kind of twisted BT-like pop poetry. "PHD," "Wild, Sweet and Cool," and the organ-grinding "Roll It Up" are classic beats-and-bliss Crystal Method. But "Name of the Game" is straight-up rock and rage, while "Ten Miles Back" and "Blowout" are surreal drives into a nocturnal desert. Tweekend is so dense and delirious, it's hard to find your way out. But you may not want to return from this lost (T)weekend. --Ken Micallef