Death in Vegas - Scorpio Rising

Scorpio Rising is the third album by British electronica band Death in Vegas, which features guest vocalists Liam Gallagher, Hope Sandoval, Nicola Kuperus, and Paul Weller. Death in Vegas’ Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes created one of their finest records by combining synths with guitar rock and psychedelia. A taste of “My Bloody Valentine” and some electro pulses are thrillingly constructed in the different parts of the album. They’re using different samples in their sounds, so you can hear classics like Rock Around the Clock (Bill Haley and His Comets) and Goin’ Back (The Byrds). Several songs on the album have appeared on film soundtracks, Girls is featured on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Lost in Translation and Hands Around My Throat is featured on the Animatrix soundtrack.

Scorpio Rising follows the same approach as Death in Vegas' remarkable predecessor, The Contino Sessions. Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes corral a host of special guests to populate their barbed soundscapes and their knack for finding the perfect environment to bring out the best in their chosen guest is as sure as ever. Liam Gallagher excels himself on the title track, inspired by cult filmmaker Kenneth Anger's celebrated movie, Paul Weller brings just the right measure of disdain to a simmering version of Gene Clark's "So You Say You Lost Your Baby", while Hope Sandoval's sultry tones bring a sensual glow to the storming finale "Help Yourself". Throughout, Indian violinist Doctor Subramanian helps flesh out the eclectic but perfectly tailored backing tracks. Fearless and Holmes display the sort of insight that would be the envy of any record company A&R department.

It's not without good reason four tracks from this unforgettable third album made it onto TV ads and movie soundtracks. Everything about the record is huge and absolutely impossible to ignore. There's the drawled Mancuian indie Britishness of its title track, with Oasis man Liam Gallagher giving it his typical all on lyrical duties. The lo-fi, almost nursery rhyme psychedelics of '23 Lies'. And the strange, alien-like bleeps and warbles of 'Natja'.

This is before we mention the parts with Dot Allison, Hope Sandoval, Nicola Kuperus and Paul Weller. As per usual, Richard Fearless' electronica project - which claims at least another 11 names in its part time members list - is as fearless as it is majestic. Taking us to the soaring heights of string-filled 'Help Youself', before hitting us with the wall of sound alternative rock and rave synths of 'Leather'.