The Crystal Method is an electronic music act comprising Ken Jordan (who r… Read Full Bio ↴The Crystal Method is an electronic music act comprising Ken Jordan (who retired in 2017) and Scott Kirkland. Formed in 1993, The Crystal Method is the most recent stop in a string of projects that led them from their native Las Vegas (and some forgettable four-track stabs at Vocal jazz music), to the early-'90s L.A. rave scene. Drawn in by its youthful idealism, Jordan and Kirkland became absorbed by L.A.'s underground club culture and began knocking out tracks inspired by their experiences. On the strength of one of their demos, The Crystal Method signed to Steve Melrose and Justin King's City of Angels imprint in 1994, and their debut single, Keep Hope Alive, appeared soon after. The title was in reference to L.A.'s waning rave scene (burdened by constant police pressure and a string of random violent incidents) and became something of an anthem due to the endless barrage of remixes and alternate versions that appeared. The pair's demand to be taken seriously as a band (as opposed to the enforced anonymity of most techno acts, and something of a new concept for American dance producers) extended to incessant live performances, and The Crystal Method's increasing popularity both in the clubs and among radio jocks led to a deal with Geffen affiliate Outpost Recordings in 1996. The group's debut LP, Vegas -- an unabashed party record bathed in acid, funk, rock, and big beat hip-hop -- appeared in mid-1997 and sold very well. The follow-up Tweekend was released four years later, and the duo inaugurated a series of mix albums (Community Service) in 2002. Third album Legion of Boom followed in 2004.

The strength of their debut single Keep Hope Alive - now one of the most-remixed dance tracks - saw them signed to Outpost Recordings. Their debut album Vegas was released in 1997 and achieved significant mainstream success with its blend of electronic, rock and hip-hop influences. A re-working of Trip Like I Do featuring rock band Filter appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Spawn and achieved significant radio airplay.

Their second album, Tweekend, was released in 2001, and featured guest appearances from guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) and singer Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver). This was followed in 2002 by a mix CD entitled Community Service. Their third studio album, Legion of Boom, followed in 2004, and Community Service II was released in 2005.

The Crystal Method also wrote the score and produced the soundtrack for the film London (2006). And work has begun on a second movie score, After is its current title.

They had 4 songs on the FIFA '98: Road To World Cup Video Game: More, Now Is The Time, Keep Hope Alive and Busy Child. In 2002 The Crystal Method's single Name of the Game was the theme song and featured in the credits of the hit video game Splinter Cell. Also, the track Born Too Slow appeared in the demo and full version of the game Need for Speed: Underground. The PSX game Nitrous Oxide (N2O) features the Vegas album in its entirety as the soundtrack.

In 2008 they teamed up with Nike to release a compilation album, Drive, featuring a 45 minute seamless mix of some of their most famous songs and remixes. This set, with its constant BPM, was aimed at long distance runners. Drive also features some new tracks.

The Crystal Method also wrote the theme tune to the Fox tv series Bones staring David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel and it's become a big dance floor hit in the UK.

Their webpage at thecrystalmethod.com/ links to all their info, dates, and social media.

Here on last.fm, the artist TCM is an alias for The Crystal Method. However, there are also tracks as TCM which are not by The Crystal Method, but by the project TCM which stands for Thimbles, Cowboy & Mr. Ladies. This was a project that created intro's, outro's and interludes for the Dutch Turn Up The Bass House Party compilation CD series. See discogs

Sling the Decks
The Crystal Method Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sling The Decks-The Crystal Method
歌手介绍
由Ken Jordan与Scott Kirkland组成的乐队组合，
在Vocal House盛行时期(20世纪90年代初)便在他们的家乡拉斯维加斯崭露头角。
极强的理想主义，为他们致力于地下俱乐部文化的发展提供了用之不竭的燃料。
10多年来，他们游刃有余地糅合各种音乐元素，从Hip-Hop、Soul到Rock乃至Pop。
2004年他们获得了3项舞曲奖项：最佳演出奖、最佳专辑(Legion of Boom)
以及最佳单曲(Born Too Slow)。

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Crystal Method's song Sling The Decks are a call-to-action for DJs everywhere to "sling the decks" and play the music that speaks to their souls. The song kicks off with a pulsing electronic beat and the refrain "The decks, the decks, they need to be slung" before launching into a series of verses that advise DJs to "Follow your spirit and feel the force / Let the waves move you like they move a horse".

The lyrics portray the art of DJing as a spiritual practice, with the DJ acting as a conduit between the music and the audience. The verses are filled with imagery of the DJ harnessing the power of the music and using it to connect with the crowd: "The rhythm of the night will guide / Let it take you for a ride / And as you build the groove up high / You’ll see the people start to fly". The song ultimately celebrates the transformative power of music and reminds us that while the tools of the trade may have changed over time, the essence of DJing remains the same.

Overall, Sling The Decks is a catchy, high-energy dance anthem that encourages DJs to embrace their passion for music and connect with their audience on a deeper level. Its lyrics are both aspirational and practical, offering advice for DJs to build a set that moves people while staying true to their own creative spirit.

Line by Line Meaning

Bumpin' the kick with the back beat
Enhancing the bass drum sound with a syncopated rhythm

The boomin' system that thumps in your jeep
The powerful sound system that vibrates in your car

Got the subs in the trunk and it's making ya tweak
The subwoofers in the car's trunk are causing a physical reaction

Slingin' the decks with the real raw meat
Mixing music on turntables with a rough and authentic sound

Scratchin' it down, Jack, to the boogie de beat
Using scratching techniques to add swing and groove to the music

Just step inside and it's hotter than heat
Entering the club where the music and atmosphere are intense

Like a dragon breathin' fire on the party elite
Music is like a mythical creature breathing energy and excitement into the crowd

It's tasty and fresh and it's dark like the street
The music is delicious and new, with a gritty urban quality

The sound's in my head and my heart skips a beat
The music creates a visceral response in the body and mind

Writer(s): Jordan Kenneth David, Kirkland Scott

Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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