Artist: Death in Vegas Album: The Contino Sessions

Year: 1999
Duration: 47:33

The Contino Sessions by Death in Vegas: A Critical Review

Death in Vegas is a British band best known for their innovative mix of electronic, rock, and experimental genres of music. One of their most acclaimed works is The Contino Sessions, released in 1999. The album features collaborations with several artists and has been praised for blending different styles of music seamlessly. In this post, we'll take a closer look at The Contino Sessions, exploring its history, genre, best songs, and most innovative parts. We'll also provide a critical review of the album.

History of Death in Vegas:

Death in Vegas formed in 1994 and was founded by Richard Fearless, who is the primary songwriter and producer for the band. The band began with a sound that was heavily influenced by electronic dance music and the emerging trip-hop scene. Over time, Death in Vegas became more experimental and eclectic in their music style. Their third album, The Contino Sessions, released in 1999, marked a significant departure from their earlier work and a bold venture into uncharted musical territory.

Genre of The Contino Sessions:

The Contino Sessions is a fusion of genres that includes electronic, psychedelic rock, and experimental music. The album also features some ambient and dub influences, and the use of brass and other orchestration techniques adds to its diverse musical style. The album showcases the band's willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles, making it a trailblazing and forward-thinking release.

Best Songs on The Contino Sessions:

The album's opening track, Dirge sets the tone for the rest of the album with a brooding, atmospheric soundscape. The song is also notable for the guest vocals by Liam Gallagher, of Oasis fame. Aisha, another standout track, features vocals by Iggy Pop and a driving bassline that propels the song forward. Soul Auctioneer is an experimental track that features distorted guitars and synths, and Help Yourself, which features Paul Weller on vocals, is an upbeat track that showcases the band's ability to blend different musical styles seamlessly.

Most Innovative Parts of The Contino Sessions:

Most Innovative Parts of The Contino Sessions:

One of the most innovative elements of The Contino Sessions is the way the band incorporates different instruments, including brass, percussion, and orchestration into their sound. This adds a unique texture to the music and creates a sense of musical depth and richness. The other notable innovation is the use of guest vocalists, which adds diversity to the album's sound, and is a departure from the typical concept of an electronic album.

Critical Review of The Contino Sessions:

The Contino Sessions is an album that defies categorization. Its unique blend of genres is a testament to the band's willingness to take risks and experiment with new sounds and styles. The guest vocals add an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the album, giving it a sense of diversity that is often absent from electronic albums. The album's biggest weakness is its unevenness. Although the standout tracks are excellent, the rest of the album feels disjointed at times. However, this is a minor flaw and doesn't detract from the overall experience of listening to the album.

The Contino Sessions is a testament to Death in Vegas's innovative and eclectic music style. Its blend of different genres and use of orchestration, as well as the guest vocals by some of the most notable music icons, create a rich and vibrant soundscape that pulls the listener in. Although the album has a few minor flaws, it is a noteworthy release that showcases the band's willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles. If you're a fan of electronic music or enjoy eclectic and innovative genres of music, The Contino Sessions is an album that you won't want to miss out on.