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Scorpio Rising Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album from the London-based duo of Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes, much like its predecessor (1999's 'Contino Sessions'), mixes electronica and rock with a variety of celebrity guests handling vocals. This time out, the voices come from Hope Sandoval, Paul Weller, Dot Allison andThe third album from the London-based duo of Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes, much like its predecessor (1999's 'Contino Sessions'), mixes electronica and rock with a variety of celebrity guests handling vocals. This time out, the voices come from Hope Sandoval, Paul Weller, Dot Allison and Liam Gallagher. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. 100
    There's no reason to buy any other electronica CD this year.
  2. Filter
    84
    Its sounds are equally rich and emotive, just not as goblin-esque [as Contino Sessions]. [#5, p.91]
  3. Mojo
    80
    Exotic, deep, unique. [Oct 2002, p.110]
  4. Urb
    70
    A curious but highly enjoyable mix of experimental beats and good old-fashioned guitar rock. [Jul 2003, p.92]
  5. Perhaps the duo is just second-tier to begin with, or perhaps they just let the needle swing too far towards the rock side of the dial, but the peak moments on Scorpio Rising offer little more than enjoyable nostalgia for overhead-projector light shows.
  6. While everything on the release is technically put together well and even sometimes compelling (the two album-opening tracks work about the best), most of the time things feel like they've been written specifically for the person who's singing them.
  7. So there are a couple of standout tracks, and the rest falls on its arse.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Bruno
    Oct 17, 2002
    10
    Another great one! One More Time!
  2. Aug 12, 2010
    9
    A modern classic that I feel has been largely ignored. It was the title track that got me into this. A rousing guitar driven electro rockerA modern classic that I feel has been largely ignored. It was the title track that got me into this. A rousing guitar driven electro rocker with Liam Gallagher vocals. I'm not dissing Oasis' work here but I think Liam's voice sounds better over this than just about anything in his former band's catalogue.
    The only other male vocal on this album comes from Paul Weller on So You Say You Lost Your Body which is used to slightly less effect. All other tracks either use female vocal or are completely instrumental. There are many different sounds and influences. Every track conjures up a different mood yet, somehow, manages to flow beautifully from the last. The first three sound like Velvet Underground reformed in a Berlin nightclub. The hypnotic 23 Lies sounds like the engine room of this album. It whirrs away producing sparks that dance around in your brain. Help Yourself is a 10 minute long psychedelic dream that closes the album. It is the string in the tail and I wouldn't have minded another 10 minutes. Glorious.
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  3. Jan 25, 2013
    7
    After listening the album I prefer to add to my play list

    1.Hands Around My Throat 2.23 Lies 3.So You Say You Lost Your Baby 4.Help
    After listening the album I prefer to add to my play list

    1.Hands Around My Throat
    2.23 Lies
    3.So You Say You Lost Your Baby
    4.Help Yourself

    Score: Good 7/10
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