The Crystal Method discography

The discography of The Crystal Method, the American electronic music project originally formed as a duo by Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan in 1993, encompasses seven studio albums, one EP, multiple singles, compilation appearances, and soundtrack contributions spanning from their debut in 1997 to releases as recent as 2022.^[1][2] Their output is characterized by a big beat style blending electronic, rock, and hip-hop elements, with key releases distributed primarily by labels such as Outpost Recordings, Geffen, and Tiny E Records.^[2][3] The duo's breakthrough arrived with their debut studio album, Vegas (1997), which achieved platinum certification from the RIAA in 2007 for sales exceeding one million copies and featured standout tracks like "Busy Child" and the collaborative single "(Can't You) Trip Like I Do" with Filter from the Spawn soundtrack.^[4][5][6] Follow-up albums such as Tweekend (2001), which included the single "Name of the Game," and Legion of Boom (2004) further solidified their influence in the electronic scene, with the latter earning a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album in 2005.^[7][8][3] Later works, including Divided by Night (2009)—nominated for a Grammy in the same category in 2010—and self-titled The Crystal Method (2014), showcased an evolution toward more diverse electronic influences, while post-2017 releases under Kirkland's solo direction, such as The Trip Home (2018) and The Trip Out (2022), incorporated soundtrack elements like contributions to Hired Gun (2017) and Trollhunters: Music from the Tales of Arcadia Saga (2021).^[9][3][1] The project's singles, such as "Born Too Slow" (2003) and "Drown in the Now" (2009), along with remix compilations and EP Drive: Nike+ Original Run (2006), highlight their prolific output and frequent collaborations in film scores for movies like Gone in 60 Seconds and Zoolander.^[1][2][10]

Albums

Studio albums

The Crystal Method's studio albums represent the core of their discography, blending big beat, electronica, and rock influences into high-energy tracks that have influenced the electronic music landscape. Debuting with Vegas in 1997, the duo—initially Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan—established a signature sound rooted in breakbeats and samples, evolving through subsequent releases to incorporate guest vocalists, live instrumentation, and thematic concepts. Their albums have consistently charted on Billboard's specialized lists, with Vegas achieving RIAA Platinum certification for over one million units sold in the United States. Later works, produced primarily by Kirkland after Jordan's 2017 retirement, reflect a more experimental edge while maintaining the group's aggressive, dancefloor-oriented style.^[5] Vegas (1997), released on Outpost Recordings in CD and vinyl formats, marked the duo's breakthrough, peaking at No. 92 on the US Billboard 200. Produced by Kirkland and Jordan in Los Angeles studios, it drew from hip-hop, rock, and techno, featuring samples from films and other media to create anthemic, party-ready anthems. The album was reissued in expanded editions, including a 2007 10th-anniversary version with bonus tracks and remixes. It sold over one million copies, earning RIAA Platinum status in 2007.^[11][5][6] Tweekend (2001), issued on Geffen Records in CD and vinyl, intensified the big beat formula with heavier basslines and guest contributions, peaking at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart for four weeks. Recorded across multiple studios, it featured vocalists like Maxayn Lewis and Jackie Simley on tracks emphasizing themes of excess and nightlife. The album's production highlighted the duo's shift toward more polished, radio-friendly structures while retaining raw energy.^[12][13][7] Legion of Boom (2004), released on V2 Records in CD and vinyl formats, peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart for two weeks. Co-produced with collaborators including Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine on "Plush" and Rahzel of The Roots on "Starting Over," the album explored political and futuristic themes amid post-9/11 tensions, incorporating guitar riffs and hip-hop elements for a rock-infused electronic sound. It was nominated for a Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album.^[14][13][8] Divided by Night (2009), the group's first on their own Tiny E Records imprint in CD and vinyl, debuted at No. 38 on the Billboard 200, No. 2 on Dance/Electronic Albums, and No. 4 on Independent Albums. Produced with input from Jon Brion on synths and featuring guests like Peter Hook of New Order on "Dirty Thirty," Stephanie King Warfield on "Black Rainbows," and Meiko on "Falling Hard," it balanced melodic hooks with darker, introspective tones, reflecting personal and societal divides. The album marked a more collaborative era, blending electro with indie rock sensibilities.^[15][16] The Crystal Method (self-titled, 2014), also on Tiny E Records in CD and vinyl, peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard 200, No. 3 on Dance/Electronic Albums, and No. 9 on Independent Albums. Kirkland handled primary production, drawing from the group's history with updated synths and beats; it included subtle nods to past hits like reworking "Sling the Decks." The album emphasized instrumental prowess and live performance potential, serving as a reflective milestone.^[17][18] The Trip Home (2018), released on Tiny E Records in CD and vinyl, was Kirkland's first solo-led effort under the moniker, peaking at No. 2 on the Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart. Structured as a concept album about personal journeys, it featured collaborators like Le Castle Vania on "The Raze," Afrojack on "The Escape," and Israel on "Memory," mixing acid house, industrial, and orchestral elements for a cinematic feel. Produced in Kirkland's home studio, it explored themes of loss following Jordan's departure.^[13][19] The Trip Out (2022), distributed by Tiny E Records in digital and vinyl formats, continued the narrative arc from The Trip Home with psychedelic, bass-heavy tracks emphasizing improvisation and guest features like Koda and VAAAL on "Watch Me Now" and Angela McCluskey on "Let It All Out." Produced amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it incorporated modular synths and live jams, focusing on escapism and resilience without major Billboard 200 entry but resonating in electronic circles. A remixes edition followed in 2023.^[20]

Compilation albums

The Crystal Method's compilation albums consist of mix collections and retrospective box sets that curate remixes of their own material alongside contributions from other artists, serving as non-studio retrospectives of their electronic and big beat influences. These releases emphasize DJ-style continuous mixes, often featuring collaborations and promotional partnerships, and achieved moderate commercial success on specialized charts. Community Service, released on July 23, 2002, by Ultra Records in CD and vinyl formats, is a continuous mix album compiling remixes of tracks by The Crystal Method and guest artists in the nu skool breaks and big beat genres. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart, number 15 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and number 160 on the Billboard 200, highlighting its appeal as a retrospective blend rather than original material.^[21] Notable selections include remixes of the duo's "Name of the Game" (Hybrid's LA Blackout Remix) and "You Know It's Hard" (Koma + Bones Remix), alongside external tracks like P.O.D.'s "Boom" (The Crystal Method Remix) and Garbage's "Paranoid" (The Crystal Method Remix), showcasing their production style applied to rock and hip-hop crossovers. Community Service II, the follow-up released on April 5, 2005, by Ultra Records in CD and vinyl formats, expands on the original with a 76-minute continuous mix featuring additional remixes by and of The Crystal Method, incorporating nu skool breaks and electronic rock elements.^[22] It reached number 8 on the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart and number 31 on the Top Independent Albums chart, underscoring its role in bridging their studio work with collaborative remixing.^[23] Key highlights include the duo's remixes of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" (The Crystal Method's CSII Mix) and The Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" (New Original 1799 Remix), as well as mixes of their own "Keep Hope Alive" (J.D.S Mix) and "Starting Over" (Elite Force Mix), with contributions from artists like Evil Nine and Hyper.^[22] Drive: Nike + Original Run, a digital mix album released between 2006 and 2008 by Tiny E Records, was created in collaboration with Nike as the inaugural entry in their Nike+ Original Run series, designed as a 45-minute workout soundtrack to guide runners through workout phases.^[24] It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart, reflecting its niche promotional focus on fitness integration with electronic music.^[25] The track selection emphasizes high-energy mixes, including the duo's "It's Time" (with vocals by Angelo Hayes), "It Hertz," and "Bad Ass" (Rogue Element Mix), alongside their dub remix of The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" and a Dub Pistols mix of "Do It," prioritizing rhythmic progression over traditional album structure.^[26] The 20th Anniversary Vinyl Box Set, issued in 2015 by Tiny E Records as a limited-edition LP box set, commemorates the duo's career with remastered vinyl pressings, including a remastered edition of their debut album Vegas.^[27] Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, each includes signed "All Access" laminates and tour stickers, positioning it as a collector's retrospective without entering major charts due to its exclusive format.^[28] It curates selections from their catalog, focusing on high-impact tracks like "Trip Like I Do" and "Busy Child" from Vegas, to highlight their foundational big beat sound.^[27]

Soundtrack albums

The Crystal Method has produced soundtrack albums tailored for video games and films, often featuring original compositions and adaptations of their big beat electronic style to synchronize with visual narratives, distinguishing these works from their standalone studio releases through collaborative scoring and media-specific editing. Their debut soundtrack effort was for the 1998 PlayStation video game N2O: Nitrous Oxide, released as a mixed-mode CD that functions as both game media and playable audio album. Issued by Sony Computer Entertainment America in collaboration with Fox Interactive and Gremlin Interactive, the album compiles shortened versions of tracks from the duo's early catalog, emphasizing high-energy electronic beats to match the game's fast-paced tunnel shooter gameplay. Key contributions include original pieces like "Trip Like I Do" (4:27), "Busy Child" (4:27), "Vapor Trail" (3:51), "Keep Hope Alive" (5:28), "Cherry Twist" (4:25), and "She's My Pusher" (4:22), alongside remixes such as Überzone's take on "Busy Child" (4:17).^[29] The audio is presented in mono format, optimized for in-game integration while allowing extraction for standalone listening.^[30] In 2006, The Crystal Method delivered the London (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) for the film London, marking their first full film scoring project and launched via their own Tiny E Records imprint in CD format. The 14-track compilation blends custom score elements with select guest appearances, capturing the movie's themes of urban excess and emotional turmoil through downtempo breaks and trip-hop influences. Notable original tracks by the duo include "London" (2:46), "Smoked" (3:40), "Roboslut" (3:37), "Defective" (4:23), "Vice" (3:51), "Onesixteen" (4:40), "Glass Breaker" (4:54), and "I Luv U" (1:06), with a collaboration on "Fire to Me" alongside Hyper (4:36).^[31] This release highlights their adaptive approach, incorporating nine new recordings specifically for the film's narrative.^[32][33] The duo's third soundtrack involvement came with the 2009 documentary X Games 3D: The Movie, where they composed original score pieces in partnership with composer Tobias Enhus to underscore extreme sports sequences. Released without a specified standalone label, the contributions integrate seamlessly into the film's audio landscape, focusing on dynamic electronic builds to amplify athletic intensity. Specific composed and remixed tracks include "Drown in the Now" and "Now Is the Time," alongside other custom cues that differ from their studio work by prioritizing synchronized timing for visual action.

Extended plays and singles

Extended plays

The Crystal Method's extended plays include CSII Exclusives, released on April 5, 2005, by Ultra Records as a digital-only EP exclusively through the iTunes Store for a limited time.^[34] This five-track release served as promotional material tied to the duo's mix compilation Community Service II, featuring one original track alongside extended full versions of four remixes that appeared in edited form on the parent album, thereby extending the project's nu skool breaks sound with bonus material unavailable elsewhere.^[35] The EP's tracklist emphasizes high-energy electronic breaks and collaborations, highlighting The Crystal Method's remix expertise during this period. No chart performance was recorded for the EP, aligning with its promotional and digital-exclusive nature.^[35] Another extended play, Drive: Nike+ Original Run, was released on June 27, 2006, as a digital mix EP in collaboration with Nike, designed as a 45-minute workout soundtrack. It features 10 partially mixed tracks, including originals and remixes such as "Roadhouse Blues" with The Doors and "The Turnback" with Kenna.^[26]

Singles

The Crystal Method's singles discography includes a series of promotional and standalone releases that highlighted tracks from their studio albums, often featuring big beat and electronic styles. These singles were primarily issued through labels like City of Angels, Outpost Recordings, Geffen, and V2, in formats such as 12-inch vinyl, CD maxi-singles, cassettes, and later digital downloads. Many achieved success on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart, reflecting the duo's influence in the electronic dance music scene during the late 1990s and early 2000s.^[36][2] Key singles are detailed below, with release information drawn from verified discography sources. Additional singles include earlier promotional tracks like "Come2gether" (1997, from Mortal Kombat: More Kombat soundtrack, Outpost Recordings, digital/CD, no major charts) and later digital-only releases such as "Roll It Up" (2010, Tiny E, from soundtrack contributions, no charts). The duo's singles post-2010 shifted toward digital formats with fewer physical releases, aligning with industry trends, and no standalone singles were issued after the 2022 album The Trip Out. Remixes of these singles by other artists are covered separately.^[2][36]

Other contributions

Remixes

The Crystal Method have contributed significantly to the electronic music scene through their remix work for diverse artists, often infusing tracks with pulsating big beat rhythms, layered samples, and dynamic builds characteristic of their production ethos. Beginning in the mid-1990s, their remixes emphasized high-energy, club-oriented reinterpretations rooted in the burgeoning big beat movement, as seen in early collaborations that amplified hip-hop and house influences. Over time, their style evolved toward broader electronic landscapes, incorporating rock crossovers, cinematic textures, and atmospheric elements, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, reflecting their growing involvement in film soundtracks and mainstream pop-rock hybrids. This progression highlights their adaptability, from underground dancefloor anthems to polished, genre-blending productions that extended the original tracks' reach.^[2] Their remixes have appeared on singles, compilation albums, and soundtracks, sometimes achieving notable chart placements or cultural impact through inclusion in films and games. For instance, the remix of P.O.D.'s "Boom" featured prominently on the Biker Boyz soundtrack, boosting its exposure in action cinema contexts. Similarly, the rework of Rage Against the Machine's "Renegades of Funk" garnered attention for bridging rap-rock with electronic energy on the duo's Community Service mix album. Below is a selection of representative remixes, organized chronologically.

Music videos

The Crystal Method's music videos have been a key component of their visual identity, often blending high-energy electronic aesthetics with cinematic flair from acclaimed directors. Released primarily to promote singles from their albums Vegas, Tweekend, Legion of Boom, and later works, these videos frequently feature surreal or action-oriented themes, surreal imagery, and collaborations with filmmakers known for feature films. Many achieved heavy rotation on MTV during the late 1990s and early 2000s electronica boom, contributing to the duo's mainstream breakthrough, while others earned critical recognition through award nominations. The following table lists select official music videos, focusing on their release years, directors, and notable production elements: