Jul 02 2021
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2
It's hard to place this album in a box. It was gloomy. It was boring. It was also low-key engaging - the instrumental rave ups where especially nice. Is this just a dark metaphor for a material driven life? Death in Las Vegas. Death in Monaco. Aging in West Palm Beach. I feel no need to return to this album. Their one song on the Lost In Translation soundtrack is enough for me. C-
👍
Feb 08 2021
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1
I honestly didn't notice this album ended the first time I listened to it. It was very background noise for me, and some tracks such as "Aisha" made me cringe because it felt like it was trying so hard to be edgy.
"Lever Street" was the best song on the album imo. It wasn't BAD in the ways the other 1 star albums were, but I don't think it deserves a place on the 1,001 album list because so much of it is snoozy.
👍
Feb 04 2021
View Author
5
Wow, what an album. I was immediately hooked from the beginning with the slow build up in Dirge, to such satisfying guitar and synth instrumentation. I honestly was not expecting an electronic album, but its a nice change of pace. Every song progresses in such a satisfying way. I love the use of rock instruments on top of the synths, giving it a grungier feeling, reminiscent of Massive Attack or Gorillaz, and even Black Moth Super Rainbow on the song Luther's Funk. Some of these songs are much more abrasive and hard for what I'd expect from a 90's electronic album, it had a very modern feeling. I love all the songs on this album, but the stand out for me is Aisha. I love Iggy Pop's spoken-word vocals on this song, mixed with the guitars and synth solos, it's just so captivating. I really don't have any complaints about this album at all. The songs were all different enough to where it didn't feel repetitive, but still felt like a consitent album. Every track was a unique experience and my expectations were always shattered each time, there were so many intricate progressions and twists that kept me on my toes. There's a lot of songs on this album that I'll be saving to my playlist, I'm excited to listen to it again.
Favorite track: Aisha, Dirge, Luther's Funk, Lever Street -
Least Favorite track: none
👍
Feb 21 2022
View Author
4
Saw DIV live back in the day. A musician friend had to leave, he was worried about permanently damaging his hearing. it was a great gig. Couldn't believe how many people were on stage.
The idea of a guest vocalist was pretty original when it was released. Nowadays every other tune seems to be doing some type of collaboration. These were not driven by marketing and sales but by finding the voice/character/mood to match the song.
Iggy pop absolutely nails Aisha. On the next album Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher create works they never would have on their own and equal to their best.
Cover art 3.5/5
👍
Aug 19 2021
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3
May have been relatively interesting had it come out in 92, but I don’t understand why it would take 7 years for these guys to come up with a cut-rate Screamadelica 2.0.
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May 12 2021
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1
The screeching hurt my ears.
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May 10 2021
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5
Loved the it, good and grimy
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Sep 20 2021
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5
What an album - from the opener Dirge it just builds brilliantly until Aisha which is such a tune , feels dirty and gritty and a strong step away from the “big beat” they started with. The whole album flows brilliantly with a dark edge and I totally forgot just how good it was. Take out the Bobby Gillespie track and you can still hear parts Primal Scream etc. Absolutely stellar
👍
May 11 2022
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5
I was obsessed with Death in Vegas's first album- Dead Elvis. It just seemed effortlessly cool. I was counting the days for the release of their second album, and it didn't disappoint. This album started their move towards a more commercial sound and amped up the guest appearances but this release maintained the effortless cool.
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Mar 25 2021
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5
Love it, always have, amazing album
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May 11 2022
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5
This is entirely new to me and I loved it. It’s a very dark album, but there are epic moments like “Flying” where it loosens up and feels lighter. “Aisha” has a great rock groove under those disturbing lyrics. “Aladdin’s Story” is a pretty cool take on the classic ‘Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen…’.
I enjoyed the rock-meets-electronica of this. Death In Vegas is a group I will check out further. Not a happy album, but one I am happy to have encountered!
👍
Jun 29 2022
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5
Any album that features Iggy Pop singing "Aisha, I'm viiibraaatiiing" gets five stars by default.
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Jul 01 2024
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4
Enjoyed this. Fave tracks - Dirge, Aisha, Neptune City
👍
Feb 04 2021
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3
Another artist/album I don't know, Bri'ish of course. This is an interesting project--classified as electronica, but it's somewhere between electronic and shoegaze-y rock. The combo works well and the music is decent throughout, but I'm not grabbed by much here. Fades to the background pretty quickly, but I LOVE the glitchy sound that comes up on "Aisha." That's a banger track. I saw on Wikipedia that Pitchfork gave this a 3.9! The review is hilarious, and in my favorite bit the critic said that Aisha "bursts through the speakers with such ferocity as to make you drop the saucepan of bathtub crank you just brewed up all over your bisexual girlfriend's Cocker Spaniel."
Favorite tracks: Dirge, Aisha.
Album art: Extremely boring, instantly forgettable. I do like the color scheme but the imagery is lame. See Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" for a good red/white/black album cover.
👍
Apr 07 2024
View Author
2
It has rough patches but manages to pull itself together sometimes.
👍
Feb 26 2021
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5
Switch this review around with Bad Brains, I got a bad brain. I guess since I can't remember much of this, that makes it mediocre? Bad Brains, 2. Contino Sessions, 5.
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Mar 10 2021
View Author
5
Surprisingly awesome!
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Mar 25 2021
View Author
5
Absolute banger. Was closer to 4 than 5 but listened to aisha again. Such a good song.
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Feb 04 2021
View Author
5
Death in Vegas’ “The Contino Sessions” is very much up my alley. I love the sexy attitude here, with its driving beats, sultry basslines, rich synths, inventive sampling, etc that create a hypnotic atmosphere. The list of collaborators on this album is incredible - Iggy Pop, Andrew Weatherall, Bobby Gillespie, and more feature on this album which I was very happy about. This album reminds me a little of some trip hop records that have also come out from the U.K., like Massive Attack, Tricky, etc. The U.K. has a staggering amount of great electronic artists that hail from their country, and “The Contino Sessions” is yet another example of their excellence. I had a great time with this one! Too many standout tracks to name - I keep replaying “Aisha (Nightclubbing)”, such an awesome track. The “Nightclubbing” part of the title must be a reference to Iggy’s song “Nightclubbing” from his album “The Idiot”, which is also a great song. I’ll be revisiting this album a ton!
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Mar 25 2021
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5
Started off thinking it could be interesting and quirky but the singing quickly got annoying
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Oct 01 2021
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5
Me agrada haber esperado tanto tiempo para escribir este párrafo. Sin conocer nada de ellos de inicio me pareció que era un disco que la primera canción era espectacular y el resto iba bajando hasta quedar casi mediocre hacia el final. Después de darle varias oportunidades más es un disco que te va ganando y se va desdoblando poco a poco. Esa primera canción sigue siendo un punto altísimo, una pista espeluznante que comienza con un siniestro rasgueo de dos acordes de una guitarra eléctrica tintineante y un canto inquietante de "La La La La," a medida que avanza la canción, la tensión aumenta con un ritmo de bajo hipnótico y un teclado vintage hasta el punto en que se siente claustrofóbico. Establece el tono para el resto del disco y declara fuerte y a la cara que el disco va a ser un viaje oscuro. Canciones como "Dirge", así como "Soul Auctioneer" y "Broken Little Sister" logran usar muy pocas letras y están configuradas para pintar un paisaje sonoro visceral y surrealista que es tanto interesante como inquietante. Casi se puede escuchar un viento hueco que sopla a través de un cementerio desierto en una pista y una sirena a distancia que viene de un callejón en la siguiente. En muchos aspectos se convirtió en uno de esos discos que de verdad pinta imágenes en tu cabeza como si fuera una banda sonora a una película inexistente (lo cual también ahora me hace pensar en la infravalorada música de Barry Adamson y cómo me gustaría poder publicitarlo a mucha más gente). Adelante "Aisha" nos presenta un riff distorsionado y difuso que se reproduce una y otra vez con un ritmo de batería al estilo de AC/DC y letras narrativas de Iggy Pop sobre un asesino caníbal que vive en un cementerio terminando con un grito desgarrador y un solo de órgano sesentero a no más poder. Creo que se me hace muy interesante que en mi opinión no hay nada en este disco que te haga fan de la música electrónica si no eres fanático, y no convertirá a un fanático de la electrónica en música rock, pero, como fanático de los dos estilos creo que lo que hace tan deliciosamente es unir a esos dos estilos como pocos lo han hecho y dando un disco que ambos tipos de personas pueden disfrutar. Disco notablemente extraño e igualmente hermoso.
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Dec 13 2021
View Author
5
Super trippy. Sounds like the soundtrack to Dr Who if he existed in the Matrix universe. Flying sounds exactly like the Mighty Boosh theme song. Big journey album, constantly throws something different at you to think about. Highlight is definitely Aisha, big sucker for the spoken word styles. AISHA, I'M VIBRATING. Aladdin's Story is a close second, very cruisey sax and vocals.
👍
Jan 26 2022
View Author
5
I am not familiar with DEATH IN VEGAS’s music at all, but aware of the band’s existence.
After to THE CONTINO SESSIONS, the album is right up my alley. The opening track “Dirge” starts with a PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED (PIL) instrumental right off METAL BOX, then DIV take off on their own path exploring similar terrain but with different textures. A great record and the deluxe edition is even ten times better. If you dig the vibe, DON’T EVEN BOTHER WITH THE STANDARD RELEASE.
In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, only THE CONTINO SESSIONS is included, I have a feeling that I’ll be disappointed that there are more albums included. But I can always investigate them on my own time.
Rate Artist: DEATH IN VEGAS (5.0)
Rate Album (Year): THE CONTINO SESSIONS (1999 Original) (5.0)
Rate Album (Year): THE CONTINO SESSIONS (2016 Deluxe) (5.0)
Ranking of DEATH IN VEGAS - THE CONTINO SESSIONS songs
No. Title Length
1-01) Dirge 5:43 10.0/10 (instrumental)
1-02) Soul Auctioneer 6:00 09.5/10
1-03) Death Threat 4:51 09.0/10
1-04) Flying 7:07 09.5/10
1-05) Aisha 5:54 10.0/10
1-06) Lever Street 3:40 09.5/10 (instrumental)
1-07) Aladdin's Story 4:45 10.0/10
1-08) Broken Little Sister 5:19 09.5/10
1-09) Neptune City 4:44 10.0/10
Original 1999 Release 87.0/90 = 9.66 / 2 = 4.83
1-10) Blood Yawning 7:16 10.0/10
1-11) One More Time 7:02 10.0/10
1-12) Luther's Funk 4:59 10.0/10
Bonus Tracks
2-01) Aisha (Edit) 3:53 10.0/10
2-02) Dirge (#2) 3:39 10.0/10 (instrumental)
2-03) Dirge (Slam Mix) 7:49 10.0/10 (instrumental)
2-04) Dirge (The Micronauts Remix) 6:42 10.0/10 (instrumental)
2-05) Dirge (The Micronauts Bonus Beats) 6:09 10.0/10 (instrumental)
2-06) Dirge (Cossack Apocalypse Mix) 8:16 10.0/10 (instrumental)
2-07) Dirge (Adrian Sherwood Remix) 5:28 10.0/10 (instrumental)
2-08) Neptune City (Concrete Funk 1) 5:27 10.0/10
2-09) Neptune City (Concrete Funk 2) 5:09 10.0/10
2-10) Aisha (Nightclubbing) 5:16 10.0/10
2-11) Aisha (Nightclubbing Instrumental) 5:14 10.0/10
Deluxe 2016 Release 227.0/230 = 9.87 / 2 = 4.93
👍
Jan 28 2022
View Author
5
Moody
👍
May 02 2022
View Author
5
Wild that this was released in 99.
It's way ahead of its time, about 15 years too early.
Some lovely cameos too.
👍
Jun 22 2022
View Author
5
The part in Aisha that goes "aaaaaaaaa"? Five stars for that alone.
👍
Sep 14 2022
View Author
5
I loved this album. It was consistently strange and catered to my taste perfectly. One of my favorites so far (i feel like that doesn't surprise anyone). this album isn't for everyone but it's definitely for me.
👍
Jan 11 2023
View Author
5
nice
👍
Feb 26 2023
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5
Aisha has been one of my favourite tracks forever, and I’d always wanted to listen to the album it’s from. Strange that I never recognised Iggy’s voice though.
Listened to it a few times over the past couple of days. Not many albums I can both intentionally listen to, and have them in the background while reading, but this works for me.
👍
Jul 13 2023
View Author
5
There's a thing to be said about repetition. Handled nicely, it can lead to a state of mind that makes you let go at last. It can lull you to sleep, but it can also break the barriers you routinely erect around you, and take you to higher level of awareness. And it's when repetition it has this hypnotic quality that it can transcend genres and trends.
This album couldn't be further from a Steve Reich masterpiece, I'll grant you that. And yet I truly believe transcendence-via-repetition is *also* what it accomplishes here, and this as "dated" as said album sounds today. It's another sort of repetition--one you can come upon throughout decades of modern music, from The 13th Floor Elevators and The Velvet Underground to Jaimie xx, Porridge Radio or Crack Cloud. And this is why I don't care so much about the "nineties electronic rock" style displayed in this particular LP as I care about what it *does* within those confines.
I remember listening to *The Contino Sessions* when it came out, mostly because of "Dirge"'s success among indie crowds (that simple "la-la-laaaaa" vocal line is just infectious). And if I wasn't enthralled to the point of buying the album then, I was still pretty enthusiastic about it...
But what strikes me *now* is that I remember almost all the tracks in this LP, even though it's been ages since I listened to it: "Soul Auctioneer", with Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie sounding like a stoned bum on it ; the menace of *Death Threat" ; the elated "Flying", a more interesting and more abrasive version of an Archive cut ; weird big-beat rocker "Aisha" allowing Iggy Pop to let his iconic persona shine through (plus that oriental-sounding solo on a wind instrument in its midway point, as the chords modulate and up the ante--a touch of genius for sure!) ; "Lever Street" is moving like few instrumental interludes can be ; as for "Alladin's Story", this laidback-yet-surprising cover of an obscure Rolling Stones composition brings a welcome vintage atmosphere to the proceedings; "Broken Little Sister" then goes back to the band's more sinister side, like a version of Spiritualized with balls instead of the latter's harmless sing-song meanderings (and one can't thank The Jesus And Mary Chain's Jim Reid enough for his vocal performance here) ; and finally, closer "Neptune City", which goes full-psychedelic on the listener, using its guitar (or sitar?) loops to great effects.
There's not a single dud in this album, actually, and I didn't expect to like it as much as I just did. So I'm buying it right now. I should have bought it decades ago, come to think of it. I'm also buying *Scorpio Rising*, the full-length record Death In Vegas released after this one, in 2023. Contrary to *The Contino Sessions*, there are a couple of duds in it. But the highlights are even more spectacular, with "Girls" of *Lost In Translation* fame, rocker "Scorpio Rising" (featuring Liam Gallagher--I can't resist adding "of Oasis fame" here, ha ha), plus Paul Weller (of *The Jam* fame) performing the vocals of that Gene Clark cover. Not to mention "Killing Smiles" and its lush string section, (featuring Hope Sandoval), and yet another great psychedelic closer, "Help Yourself"--also with Hope Sandoval, and this one ten minutes long. Now with those two records, I can say I have all Death In Vegas' essential albums. Or at least, that's how I feel...
On a sidenote, and before ending this short review with the usual closing credits, I've just read the scalding review Pitchfork published about *The Contino Sessions* at the time Death In Vegas released it. Amazing how you can be wrong on so many levels. Mark my words, there's no problem expressing personal (dis)tastes, and mileages can vary when it comes to repetitive, "hypnotic" music. But when you're complaining about the so-called "bad" basslines in the album, or when you keep on comparing Death In Vegas with Primal Scream--even if they're very different animals (Primal Scream never used *repetition* in the way that Death In Vegas does)--it means you're either deaf or intellectually lazy. Or maybe both. Plus, apart from very few *bons mots* here and there, that review is terribly written. *The most trusted voice in music*. Yeah, right. Waiting for the moment when Pitchfork will give a non-"canon" retrospective grading to this LP, as they have already done in the recent past. In the meantime...
Number of albums left to review: 497
Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 239 (including this one)
Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 114
Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 147
👍
Jul 19 2023
View Author
5
joder pues cunde un kilo
👍
Aug 02 2023
View Author
5
this is heavenly. Dirge, the distorted guitar and melodic synth in Flying, the trumpet(?) in Aladdin's Story, the cover image is so beautifully composed
only gripe I have is that Soul Auctioneer is very monotonous
👍
Aug 03 2023
View Author
5
Really interesting and eclectic sound which vibed with me!
👍
Oct 03 2023
View Author
5
Surprisingly awesome. Dirty, grimey, electronic fat throbbing beats. The lyrics get in the way more than they help the songs, but they are pretty sparse, so are only a minor distraction. Absolutely loved this vibe.
👍
Oct 20 2023
View Author
5
Good!
👍
Nov 05 2023
View Author
5
Rock On Tommy
👍
Nov 07 2023
View Author
5
Dark, unique, somewhat unorthodox but easy to listen to.
Stand out tracks
- Dirge
- Soul Auctioneer
- lever Street
- Aisha
- Aladdin's story
👍
Nov 29 2023
View Author
5
listened to this a lot
👍
Feb 02 2024
View Author
5
Aw Hells Yes. was not expecting this to be on this list. Delighted
👍
Mar 13 2024
View Author
5
First time listening to a full Death in Vegas album, and it’s incredible. It’s in its own space somewhere between electronic and rock, and everything just flows so well. The easiest 5* in a while for me.
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Apr 22 2024
View Author
5
Very vibey.
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Jun 19 2024
View Author
5
very beck i like it a lot
👍
Jun 20 2024
View Author
5
Hearing this album again is like slipping into a warm friend.
I really enjoy the mood it sets. And despite having owned this album since pretty much its release, I had genuinely no idea that it was Iggy Pop singing Aisha.
I'm very glad I listened to it again. Might even listen to Dead Elvis next.
👍
Jul 11 2024
View Author
5
Fucking amazing, really haven't heard anything like it before. Can't be arsed to find the notes but feels like that sort of punk, dark music that London art students like done really, really well. Not lazy and leaving shit to chance. Somewhat groovy? Had an air of stone roses. Think they also sort of remind me of Underworld which will always help. Dirge and Aisha amazing tracks all through. 4 feels too low so I will go with 4.6.
👍
Aug 15 2024
View Author
5
Love this a looooot
👍
Sep 18 2024
View Author
5
Fav: Dirge
Least Fav: Death Threat
This was awesome, loved the mix of rock and electronic sounds together, like a rockier version of groups such as Portishead. Thoroughly enjoyed!
👍
Oct 09 2024
View Author
5
Atmospheric and cool
👍
Nov 06 2020
View Author
4
Pretty good
👍
Dec 31 2020
View Author
4
Really surprised me actually
👍
Sep 23 2020
View Author
4
Really good listen - Dirge is awesome
👍
Mar 01 2021
View Author
4
I had always written them off in the past, but most of this is quite enjoyable!
👍
Feb 12 2021
View Author
4
Cool, funky soundtrack vibes.
👍
Mar 12 2021
View Author
4
Good electronic beats, dark and gothic at times. Way too many versions on the album. Dirge #2 is pretty good.
👍
Feb 26 2021
View Author
4
I dug this album. The new-psychedelic mix of electronica and trip hop was pretty good. Reminded me a lot of Primal Scream, just not as interesting. I still enjoyed the listen though, it was good rhythmic background music.
Favorite song: Dirge
Least favorite song: Death Threat
👍
Mar 03 2021
View Author
4
It's Friday and I'm listening to an album from 1999 called The Contino Sessions by the band named Death in Vegas. They are described as rock, electronic, industrial and minimal techno. The first song off this album is great, I'm already quite hooked on it. It's groovy and pulsating all at once. I can imagine I would have enjoyed this in 1999, which would have been my time living and working in Washington DC. It's good music to work to. It has a good beat, there isn't a lot of singing, and it keeps on moving and rolling through. The 3rd track was very good and helpful in keeping me on track. And track #5 kicks in with Iggy Pop adding just the right amount of sneer to fit well with this album. This might need some further listening, which is not as common when working my way through these albums. The final song is great and a nice way to end with an insistent beat that you just have to grab onto.
👍
Jan 29 2021
View Author
4
I remember listening to this when I was maybe 19?
👍
Jul 17 2021
View Author
4
I hadn't heard of this band before, and I'm generally not big into electronic music, but this was amazing. Eclectic and kept my interest throughout. 4 stars.
👍
Feb 19 2021
View Author
4
Electronica, neo-psychedelia, shoegaze, krautrock
👍
Apr 04 2021
View Author
4
Wow. I knew nothing about these guys or the music they did. This was GREAT.
Not the kind of thing I'd go to a concert for, or listen to in the car, or at a party. But excellent "Get work done" music.
Dirge and Death Threat are big favorites
👍
Apr 04 2021
View Author
4
4 out of 20 if ya KNOW WHAT I MEAN
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May 14 2021
View Author
4
Really good
👍
Apr 21 2021
View Author
4
Good stuffs!
👍
Jun 14 2021
View Author
4
Makes you feel cool. What else is there to say
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Jun 03 2021
View Author
4
Really liked this album! Was different for sure with its industrial/rock/alternative vibe but kept listening to it and didn’t get sick of it at all.
👍
Jun 12 2021
View Author
4
Slight psychedelic rock instrumental feels. Good background electronic album
👍
Jun 17 2021
View Author
4
Some great songs and some forgettable. Dirge was the perfect opening to the album, and Aisha surprised me in a good way as well. 'Soul auctioneer' was the only song I actively disliked.
👍
Jun 16 2021
View Author
4
- disharmonies are intriguing,
- will definitely listen to again but needs right mood
- not listened to much shoegaze but might explore more
👍
Jul 06 2021
View Author
4
so tight, love love
👍
Jun 11 2021
View Author
4
Brilliant album. Some cracker tracks, mainly Dirge, Aisha, Neptune City.
👍
Jun 16 2021
View Author
4
- disharmonies are intriguing,
- will definitely listen to again but needs right mood
- not listened to much shoegaze but might explore more
👍
Jul 23 2021
View Author
4
nice alternative electronic album, add to it vocals from various artists and you get a banger album
👍
Aug 11 2021
View Author
4
Amazing one, I enjoyed every song, this is some good stuff
👍
Sep 02 2021
View Author
4
4/5 - Pretty Rad but Dated
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Sep 15 2021
View Author
4
Grata surpresa, foi o primeiro álbum de uma banda que desconhecia e funcionou muito bem. Ótima sequencia de eletro-rock.
👍
Sep 20 2021
View Author
4
Filthy baselines👌. Bit long though, my only criticism.
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Sep 20 2021
View Author
4
Electronic with soul. It’s dance music for grown ups
👍
Sep 30 2021
View Author
4
Enjoyed this. It fades into the background but in a good way I thought. Some of the vocals was a bit lame but overall good stuff
👍
Oct 01 2021
View Author
4
Cuando vi la portada y que el género era electrónica, pensé: "Ahí vamos otra vez a vivir la experiencia de Orbital u otra de esas", pero no, nada que ver.
Este disco está catálogado como elctrónica, pero bien podría pasar por Rock, Madchester o una forma rara de Jazz. La cosa es que sí me gustó (no todo, la de Aisha me cayó bastante mal) y creo que puedo tenerlo de fondo para trabajar o incluso que salgan las rolas de vez en cuando en el shuffle.
👍
Oct 01 2021
View Author
4
Me cuesta trabajo escuchar artistas o bandas mayoritariamente instrumentales pero en verdad me sorprendió lo fácil que fue escuchar este disco. A ratos guitarrazos, a ratos sintetizadores, a ratos sampleos, me parece un gran descubrimiento que se va directo a la lista de favoritos y tocará escuchar todo lo que han hecho hasta la fecha. Me recordaron a Kasabian, pero sin letras.
Songs: Aisha, Dirge, Broken Little Sister, Neptune City
👍
Oct 31 2021
View Author
4
This album took me completely by surprise. I had never heard of this artist before this album but what an album it is. The first half of this album started out really strong and felt like the electronica version of Radiohead with strong, ominous production. I wasn't as big of a fan in the second half but still enjoyed it nonetheless. Fav songs: Dirge, Death Threat
👍
Nov 05 2021
View Author
4
Recognised some of this. A great listen and the one with Iggy Pop was highly amusing!
👍
Dec 17 2021
View Author
4
Solid, interesting stuff. I like the blend of sounds going on here, and the songs may be a little long but they develop themselves well enough that I don't mind it.
👍
Feb 20 2022
View Author
4
so weird but really cool
👍
Mar 10 2022
View Author
4
This was really good! I'd only vaguely heard of Death in Vegas and never listened to them so had no idea what to expect going into this
The instrumentals and production were fantastic, and while the vocal performances were a bit hit and miss (Bobby Gillespie was quite disappointing on Soul Auctioneer, though Iggy Pop was incredible on Aisha) this was overall a really enjoyable album
👍
Mar 13 2022
View Author
4
I'd forgotten how good this is. Dirge and Aladdin's Story are both beautiful. Aisha is perfect Iggy Pop lunacy. Lovely instrumental stuff that calls back to Sabers of Paradise (which probably explains the Andrew Weatherall link.)
Shame about the couple of stodgy rock numbers with the Jesus and Mary Chain and Bobby "Dullest Man in Rock" Gillespie dragging the rest of the album down from an otherwise unimpeachable performance.
👍
Apr 14 2022
View Author
4
Kind of interesting
👍
May 02 2022
View Author
4
This always felt like a sister album to Primal Scream - XTMNTR to me. An older, slightly mellower, less successful step-sister but a sister nonetheless.
👍
May 02 2022
View Author
4
Like a donkey punch to the back of the neck
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May 06 2022
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4
5/4/2022 - ALBUM #97
Today's Album: "The Contino Sessions" by Death in Vegas - This album is one that really took me by surprise with each track. The opener, Dirge, is a really awesome track with these "la la la" background vocals that give the building instrumentals this really cool, yet kinda creepy, atmosphere to it. It's a clear highlight given just how nuts the band goes with wild effects while still keeping my engaged in this chilled out beat. The next track, Soul Auctioneer, continues with this brooding creepy atmosphere but it's even more elevated with this slow dragging rhythm and these really drugged out vocals. It honestly sort of sounds like Bob Dylan and even though I've shit on his vocals in the past, they actually really work well in this dark and creepy setting. Death Threat is a great instrumental track that surprised me in a variety of ways just on it's own. The strange noise in the background loop, the building electronic sound scape, and the interspersed more code give this track a really disorienting feel to it, but still somehow stays so engaging. The next track, flying, while still sounding somewhat similar to the previous songs, brightens things up with a more full rock instrumentation and these cool reversed synth accents. The track keeps getting crazier and crazier as it goes on and sort of reminds me of something King Gizzard or Psychedelic Porn Crumpets would do, with these blasted out distorted guitars hanging out quieter in the mix. This track has a great energy to it and the 7 minute runtime of it really doesn't ever feel bogged down. Aisha is a really strange track from the perspective of a serial killer that eats dead bodies. The narration feels super in your face and monotone and the band is really just showing their proficiency in creating these really solid, but creepy and uncomfortable instrumentals and they only get better as the track progresses. I have heard so many bands try to do this creepy sort of aesthetic, but this band does it in such a badass way it just works. Lever street is this really sweet instrumental that sounds fantastic, but I have to knock a few points off for it's progression being straight up Heart of Gold by Neil Young. Aladdin's story was the real big surprise on this record, brightening the usually broody dark instrumentals up to feeling pretty pleasant. The instrumental here is fantastic and the vocal really fits it well. I love the sax and organ in specific on this track. Broken Little sister probably falls the flattest out of the track list, feeling like some really generic grunge, and it just doesn't really go anywhere with it. Neptune City is a great instrumental closer to this album, feeling like it's uniting a lot of the electronical ideas throughout the project while balancing the dark and light aesthetics. Overall, this album is a fantastic listen for anyone that can handle something a little unconventional or experimental. Give this one a listen if you're more of an instrumental kind of person and like electronica.
Highlights:
Dirge, Death Threat, Flying, Aisha, Lever Street, Aladdin's Story, Neptune City
Score:
7.5/10 Incredibly experimental, but so well done
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May 11 2022
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4
Dirty guitars and synths. Guest vocalists before everyone was doing it. The first half is great and builds to a peak with Aisha.
Rating: 3.5/5
Playlist track: Aisha
Date listened: 10/05/22
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May 11 2022
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4
I like it! Good background music.
I'm afraid it won't be overly memorable, though. Even now, I can't keep the name of the band in my head. If you ask me in two weeks if I've ever heard of Death in Vegas, I will probably say no.
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May 11 2022
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4
I am not familiar with this band. The electronica that they have recorded is pretty straightforward and listenable for me. The trancelike loops are engaging and interesting enough, although a couple of tracks did seem to be dragged out.
Fun, but nothing particularly life changing here.
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May 14 2022
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4
First time listening - pleasantly surprised
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Jun 01 2022
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4
Death in Vegas is a new band for me. IThere are enough sounds from guitars and drums on The Contino Sessions that it's not obvious that Death in Vegas plays electronic music. This album was a pleasant surprise. "Dirge", "Lever Street" or "Flying would give you a good example of what Death In Vegas does. There was one track, "Aisha", that had some spoken word that I did not enjoy. The track isn't terrible, but I would be tempted to skip the track if I played the album again. Because I enjoyed the album enough to continue listening to the remaining tracks on the extended album, I will round up from 3.5 stars to 4. I could come back to this album for a second listen.
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Jun 02 2022
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4
Went into this one blind, album cover really didn't give me much in terms of what to expect. Turns out to be a pretty solid heavy electronic album, really enjoyed the beats on this one was some great background music. The lyrics in some of the songs would normally be pretty cringey, but somehow in this case they made it work and it wasn't too bad. Definitely would listen again or check out some of their other works.
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Jun 02 2022
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4
Solid melodies, limited vocals, this plays mainly as an instrumental album and it is great. Post-rockers should take a note from this album, and quit trying to overcomplicate their music with forced chaotic bits, anti-melodies, etc.
Beautiful is not quite the word to describe how this album plays, but there are moments where it is. The intelligence behind the compositions are what really stand out though, the intention of each track disposes any ambiguity, each track seeming to carry with it some "sense" of sense. What the album accomplishes at the cost of complexity, it makes up for in feeling. The rhythms and melodies at times may sound basic, but they managed well in their repetitive cycle, keeping songs feeling progressive rather than stagnate.
Usually, songs and music without a feeling of purpose tend to get lost here and the rating inevitably goes down because of that. The same does happen here to a degree, but where this album succeeds for this review is that the question of 'Why?' is more introspective and quizzical rather than a frustrating disappointment.
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Jun 05 2022
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4
Dirge and Aisha are the stand outs In this latenight comedown.
I love this album and could listen to it I. A loop as the droney electronica washes over me
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Jul 03 2022
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4
Excellent album, didn’t realise that the singles came from this.
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Jul 14 2022
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4
Instrumental vibes. Great album while working
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Jul 20 2022
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4
This is ending up in the regular rotation
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