The back catalogue of
Siouxsie & The Banshees is much to grand for encompassing in just one single post, so here goes part one where I shall tackle 3 from the 80s with more obviously to follow:
A Kiss In The Dreamhouse (1982): all the tracks are splintering pop songs or damp cave-wailing ballads .
Melt!,
She's A Carnival,
Circle,
Painted Bird,
Fireworks and the seething
Obsession are bristling with details and Siouxsie's bullying cry is at its 80s vintage peak. Only
Slowdive veers into wasteland, although it is incredulously a fan favourite (it's like an embarassing attempt to do a
Rapture).
Tinderbox from 1986 showcases Siouxsie's voice maturing, curdling into some pretty macabre subject matter in battle with some fantastic music. The songs are thornier:
Cannons and
Party's Fall are my favourite album tracks. The divine
Starcrossed Lovers is worth getting the re-release for - it really is gorgeous and unusually lilting and romantic. The strident howl of
Cities In Dust goes into dancefloor combat as one of their most remarkable singles, and the other single
Candyman's unsettling subject matter still managed to reach #34 in the UK charts.
On 1984's
Hyaena,
Dazzle and
Swimming Horses are two of the band's finest singles. The tantalising
We Hunger, Siouxsie's nasal wail on the dancing ballad
Belladonna is mesmerizing.
Take Me Back sounds like they have devoured what was a disco song down to the bone (and has an organ).
Running Town is quite jaunty and Siouxsie hisses at one point, it's '
full speed aheaaaaaaad'.
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