The Contino Sessions cover

The Contino Sessions

Death in Vegas · 1999

48 min · 9 tracks · pop rock

A hypnotic blend of electronic textures and rock energy, creating an immersive sonic landscape that defies genre boundaries.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Dirge — Opening the album with a dark, brooding atmosphere, this track sets the tone for the exploration of themes surrounding mortality and loss.
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    Soul Auctioneer — This track exemplifies the band’s ability to weave haunting melodies with driving rhythms, showcasing their signature sound and lyrical depth.
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    Aisha — With its ethereal quality and an evocative narrative, this song highlights the band's talent for creating immersive sonic experiences that linger long after listening.
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    Neptune City — This track blends lush instrumentation with introspective lyrics, encapsulating the album's overarching themes of longing and existential reflection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album showcases a strong fusion of electronic and rock elements, with varied pacing and distinctive vocal styles.

What we noticed

  • The first track, 'Dirge', opens with a slow build of layered electronic sounds before introducing a steady rock beat.
  • The album's pacing shifts notably; tracks like 'Aisha' and 'Neptune City' slow down the tempo significantly, creating moments of introspection.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo progression
  • hypnotic soundscapes for introspection
  • late-night reflective listening
  • immersive experience with depth

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking instant gratification
  • prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
The Contino Sessions marked Death in Vegas's second album, following their debut, Dead Elvis, released in 1997. By this point, they had begun to define their unique sound, merging electronic music with rock influences and establishing themselves in the UK alternative scene.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Dirge 5:44
  • 2 Soul Auctioneer 5:59
  • 3 Death Threat 4:50
  • 4 Flying 7:06
  • 5 Aisha 5:54
  • 6 Lever Street 3:39
  • 7 Aladdin’s Story 4:45
  • 8 Broken Little Sister 5:18
  • 9 Neptune City 4:43

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata