Identity crisis
J. Holmes | yokohama, japan | 09/29/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"i guess Death In Vegas have a few famous pals and these pals were gracious enough to lend their vocals to some of these songs. the basic mood here is dark rock music with a danceable edge. or perhaps the other way around. but there's alot of shifts in moods and atmosphere. the opening track kinda reminds me of some of those 4AD bands like Swallow or maybe Ultra Vivid Scene, with it's distorted bass and cool breathy female background vocals. a pretty good way to start the record. but as the album continues, there seems to be a lack of focus. this record doesn't really grab me as a whole; even though there are some good songs on it. one feeling i get is that i am never really getting to know Death In Vegas for who they are. it's like all their songs were specifically written for their special guests. the mellow acoustic numbers go to Hope Sandoval, the electro groove numbers go to the more throaty singers, etc. it seems a little too safe and in the box. but like i said, there are some nice moments. Scorpio Rising is a fairly enjoyable album, just not an essential one."
Good Stuff
Amichai Matalon | Philly | 01/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At first listen, I didnt like it as much as the Contino Sessions, which is brilliant in my opinion, but the second time I listened to it, I realized that I did in fact love this album. All songs are really good. I was surprised to see "Girls" in the Lost In Translation soundtrack. (They should have put the Peaches song on it too... You all know which one...Wimps...) Its hard to pick favorites, as they are all good, but I would have to say 'Scorpio Rising', and the 2 Hope Sandoval songs, because I love her. Especially the last song, 'Help Yourself'. OK, so I have an absolute favorite. It is 'Help Yourself'. A very long song, but absolutely worth it. Ill be looking forward to their next album with baited breath. Good work guys. Keep it up."
Great (dare I say it) chill-out music...
Nicky P | 04/16/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Death In Vegas' "Scorpio Rising" is a delicious mix of slow burning rock, ice cold electro and hippy mantras. Some would be familiar with "Girls", a slow burning rock fuzz track with dreamy vocals (included in the Lost in Translation OST), others would know the Liam Gallagher - Scorpio Rising track (not to dissimilar with Liam's previous collaborations with the Chemical Brothers) - so so catchy. Others would know the bitter icy track of "Hands Around My Throat" - where Death in Vegas use the electroclash sounds to brilliant effect (my favourite track).
Death in Vegas step in and out of various musical styles with the slightest of ease throughout Scorpio Rising. This is the sort of CD that is brilliant for dinner parties and such. Cool, modern and sexy.
One small blip on the CD is the misjudged "So You Say You Lost Your Baby" with Paul Weller - a out of place rock tune which just grates against the smoothness of the rest of the CD.
Overall - if you like (dare I say it) "chill-out" music - then you will probably like this."