“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.