'Indiana Toombs and the Temple of Boom'

The Crystal Method came onto the electronica scene in the mid-to-late '90s as America's response to England's infinitely superior the Chemical Brothers. Seven years have passed since the duo, comprised of Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, dropped its debut, Vegas (the city from which they both hail) -- nothing has changed. \nAdmittedly, I know little about the artists. I've seen them live twice -- once with the Foo Fighters and Ben Folds Five, the second as part of the Family Values tour (yes, I liked Limp Bizkit in 12th grade too). Both times the pair managed to entertain. I don't own any of their records, and don't pretend to be a connoisseur of the musical genre that they inhabit. With this in mind, I was a tad disappointed with the ridiculously titled, Legion of Boom.\nThe record's not bad per se, it's just too damned long. Bleeps, bloops and the occasional rock-y guitar line are entertaining -- just not for 60-plus minutes. Though, I suppose it's suitable enough music to shake your ass or pop pills to. Leadoff cuts "Starting Over" and "Born Too Slow" (featuring former Bizkit guitarist, Wes Borland), as well as the coyly monikered, "Weapons of Mass Distortion," manage to rise above the paltry beats, silly lyrics and embarrassing guest appearances (Hello, Milla Jovovich! Keep singing like this and you'll be damned to a life of watching Kuffs on constant loop.). Legion of Boom isn't all gloom but it could certainly use more zoom.