July 17, 1999

Death In Vegas : Dirge

The sun is out, the sky is blue. Come out to play, but mind your psyche.

They're coming up mantra-sized. After the filthy glamour of 1997's 'Dead Elvis' LP, Death In Vegas have clearly used the intervening time go to the country and get their heads untogether. Lots of listening to 'Dear Prudence', incipient psychosis
and
searching for the maharishi appears to have been scheduled, as 'Dirge' reclines on the silken pillows of a rich-hippy mountain retreat vibe. Look, there's Patti Boyd meditating
in
the corner.

In fact, that's Dot Allison offering up the hazy vocal
chant,
as Mr Fearless and company untether a riff that floats like an iron butterfly. Saying 'Dirge' builds and builds is pale understatement, unless you can imagine a whole dual Empire State/Tower Of Babel works site scenario. It's relentless, purple-tinged layers of static fuzz and surface noise piling up, until suddenly, sinisterly, it stops.

The sun is out, the sky is blue. Come out to play, but mind your psyche.

VICTORIA SEGAL