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Album Review
by SashaS
17-9-2002
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| Death In Vegas' 'Scorpio Rising' does it |
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Death In Vegas: 'Scorpio Rising'
(BMG)
Death In Vegas disc can cure ailments
Amid rock/dance crossover artists Death In Vegas have never been a mediocre proposition (as some we’ll diplomatically bypass naming) and ‘Scorpio Rising’ doesn’t even know how to spell it. It continues the ‘Contino Sessions’ (1999) path but with less rocky mindset (aside the opener rock-out ‘Leather’); it is more on the psychedelic side, taking you places where imagination goes camping.
Instruments, electronic and otherwise, create atmos that lead slowly deeper inside this sonic world where anything is possible, and usually occurs. Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes are masters of conjuring vibes without actually appearing to labour much, it all seems so chilled out, easy… With plenty of details. And, the usual plethora of guests offering further diversity.
Liam Gallagher is largin’ it Lennon-esque on the title track, Hope Sandoval floats as a fragile-feeling angel through ‘Killing Smile’ and even more so on the concluding ‘Help Yourself’ that haunts into one’s bedtime; the Paul Weller’s unmistakable singing graces ‘So You Say You Lost Your Baby’, Dot Allison (Fearless’ girlfriend) provides ethereal vox on ‘Diving Horses’…
There are other guests as well, such as Mani (of Primal Scream) giving it some brilliant bassing on the Weller sung track and there are a couple of samples to make you smile: King/Goffin ‘Goin’ Back’ on ’23 Lies’ is cool but ‘Pictures Of Matchstick Men’ by Status Quo for Liam-fronted ‘Scorpio Rising’, how dope is that?! (And, is there a clandestine message for younger Gallagher here?)
With its Indian-like artwork, this disc offers a mutated take on psychedelia with a refined sub-continent’s feel. There are moments when the influence is obvious but it is mainly in the spirit, shape, its mood… ‘Help Yourself’ travels this route the best, expending into a track as epic as anything Pink Floyd could do in their best day and we mean it as praise!
‘Scorpio Rising’ is a beautiful record that requires repeated listening. It can heal headache… Well, that’s what happened to me!
8/10
SashaS
15-10-2001
Death In Vegas’ album ‘Scorpio Rising’ is released 16 September 2002 on BMG
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