Death in Vegas – The Contino Sessions

A curiously tender, black-hearted modern soul classic; the last great record of the millennium, if we’re being pretentious,” was how NME described Death in Vegas’ second album (1999), which took its name from the Contino Rooms in London (where it was recorded) and was nominated for the 2000 Mercury Music Prize.

Perhaps the most accomplished expression of the outfit’s patented atmospheric blend of electronica and groove-driven rock, the album includes an impressive cast of guest vocalists. Dot Allison, Bobbie Gillespie, Jim Reid and Iggy Pop all provide star turns and the latter steals the show. Confessing to being a murderer living in a cemetery would be over-the-top from most other artists but for Iggy it makes perfect sense and his track, ‘Aisha’ is the literal and figurative centrepiece of the album.

Many of the tracks were featured in film, advertisement and video game soundtracks, notably the opener, ‘Dirge’. It was used by Levi’s and at least five different films in the decade after the album
was issued, which has helped to make it the band’s biggest streamer.

Format – 2LP