Reviews (page 10 of 12)
Nice listen
Fire
This is another album that really surprised me. Have heard of Siouxsie and never really paid attention to their music. Shame on me. This album has just enough darkness, but not overbearing, combined with the punk and rock vibe that made this a really solid album. Her voice works perfectly with the sound and music. A good work out album too! Some of the lyrics were pretty intense nd a couple lines that stood out were, 'fuck the mothers kill the others" and "ripped out sheep eyes." Can't say there was a single a song I thought was bad. I excited to play some for Mindy this weekend and get her thoughts. Favorite song was Monitors. Immediately added to downloads, but looking forward to hearing more from these guys. Good album, good sound, great singer and just a good listening experience. 4
4 On the topic of British music, most people will bring up the 1960s “invasion” era or the 90s Britpop “second wave”, but if you ask me, the absolute best the country had to offer was its early 80s gothic scene - a period of music that, for whatever reason, Americans at the time just didn’t get. Between artists like The Cure, The Smiths, Joy Division, New Order, Echo & The Bunnymen, and the queen of goth herself, Siouxsie Sioux, Britain was absolutely ahead of the curve and firing on all cylinders for a near decade. And while I adore those artists, I’ve actually never listened to a full Siouxsie Sioux album - and to the least of my surprise, it’s just as fantastic. Like many of her contemporaries, Siouxsie feels incredibly ahead of her time here with a sound that you can tell shaped so much of alternative rock to come - I mean, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Red Hot Chili Peppers are just a few artists listed on Wikipedia as having stated influence (no idea what the hell RHCP saw in this that translated into their music, but I appreciate the good taste). Influence aside, this album is littered with banger after banger of absolute gothic rock excellence. Admittedly, it took me a couple listens to fully realize the charm of each, but once I did, I was fully sucked in. I genuinely enjoyed every song here, though I would probably point to Spellbound and Monitor as my two favorites (the latter in particular feels WAY ahead of its time, like it could be released today). The closing track Voodoo Dolly is probably the weakest here, but it’s by no means a bad note to end on. So yeah, I really enjoyed this one. The atmosphere it creates is incredible, and I found myself already wanting to go back to give another listen shortly after finishing. What started as a 3.5 for me very quickly worked its way up to 4… and who knows, may rise even further from there.
I really enjoyed it, it was gloomy and groovy
This album was probably an 8/10. There are no songs I didn’t enjoy. But I think my favourites were the first 4. They are absolutely amazing!
Ok, but didn't blow me away.
Yes! This is a really good record, super impressed. Lots of interesting ideas here. Favourite tracks: Spellbound, Arabian Knights, Monitor, Head Cut.
Meh
Liked Night Shift but wasn't that into the vibe altogether of the album
I'm running out of ways to start these reviews. This album's good. I wasn't expecting to like this album much at a first glance. I started to become hopeful when I did some basic research to find the reasoning for this album's inclusion. After listening to it, I can safely say that this album is pretty good. The singing works most of the time. You don't see female-fronted rock bands all the time, so it's cool to listen to something that's a bit different for once. The writing is fairly unique and has this dark energy to it that wasn't common for the time. The sound is pretty interesting. This has been called somewhat of a concept album, but it's pretty loose one. It really only has concepts in regards to its sound. This album is really ahead of its time in many ways. If I listened to this without knowing the year it released and someone asked me when I thought this album released, I definitely wouldn't have said 1981! I can definitely hear and see the influence that this album had on future alt-rock and post-punk artists in the years that followed this album. Overall, this is a great album that paved the way for others like it to come. Light 4/5.
3.5/5 very solid
Cool post punk album.
The first album I listed to of true post-punk music. It’s not really for me but I understand why it’s considered good. They remind me of The Cranberries, with the guitar and vocal style.
Not a fan of punk!
Oh I liked this. Terrifically moody and atmospheric
The music sounded good for what it was, this type of music just isn't for me.
Definitely hearing some modern post-punk sounds here that this album almost definitely influenced. I found it interesting that RHCP's John Frusciante cites this album as a direct inspiration for his tone/sound on their "By the Way" album. I enjoyed the first half more than the second but appreciate it as a whole very much.
Okay punk rock
Guitar music very representative of the 80's in what I at the time called "college music". This album is not for me though.
I appreciate the history, but the old punk scene doesn't really do it for me. It's like, too much of a slow plod.
Unique, but not my style.
Also listened to Best of.... Really good
Heavy twang-distorted electric guitar. All songs fit together with a consistent sound and feel. , reminiscient of a nameless bar band on a Friday night.
Was excited to see this one pop up but didn’t think very much of it. Nothing special and this exact thing has been done better by others.
This is fun. I can see how this is influential.
I love Siouxsie and the general sound of this record but was surprised at how little most of the songs held my attention. Think I'm more of a Creatures kind of person.
NGL - I kinda dig this!
NGL - I kinda dig this!
Kind of like a rawer version of No Doubt
Not my taste, but I do see her significance to the punk and pop worlds.
This reminds me of my friend in Jr High. She was into this New Wave stuff. I miss her.
Liked Spellbound and Halloween (but I am biased bc Halloween is my favorite holiday!) wasn’t a huge fan of the vocals over all, but the lyrics were fun!
Into the light, Halloween, head cut, and spellbound were solid songs I really enjoyed as well as a few others. Conceptually interesting instrumentals! Solid album, I think I might like it more listening to it a few more times but not bad at all.
This honestly feels ahead of its time, I wish I had heard this sooner! It feels like it could’ve come out in the 90’s grunge scene but it came out in 81. Really enjoyed the way they experiment with the instrumentals. Overall incredibly fun and a great vibe! The ending dragged a little bit more so I docked it a star, but I still really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely come back to this one.
Spellbound - WOW already giving me Pat Benatar vibes! This is definitely a vibe. Arabian Nights - I should've known this album was going to RIP when I saw there was a song called Arabian Nighs because that is also a 10/10 song from Aladdin. kekeke Halloween - this may be my favorite song on the record. I love that it's kind of nostalgic and thinking about the simpler times of childhood but also is so dark. Monitor - this BEAT!!! I LOVE this. Such an 80s feel. SIN IN MY HEART GOES SO HARD!!!! Overall, to me this feels like a timeless album. You can pop this on at any time and absolutely enjoy every moment no matter what year you're in.
Spellbound: From the first notes, I knew this would be good. Post-punk vibes - you can definitely see where The Smiths got their influence. Siouxsie's vocals are great here - the chorus is catchy despite the dark undertones, but the drums give such life to the track. Into The Light: The guitar phasers - classic 80's. I don't care what anyone says, it's cool af. This is such a cool guitar riff behind the drums. Is this about aliens? I hope this is about aliens because hell yeah. Arabian Knights: Love the gothic feel of this song, the drums and bass sound straight out of a Joy Division album. The guitar work and chorus sound like a Cure track. Good shit. Halloween: Man, this is definitely a guitar-centric album but it sounds so good. I love how every track has that dark, gothic vibes but sounds so bright and vibey. Her voice is perfect for this. Monitor: That first riff, god daaaaamn. Have I said her voice is perfect for this, with the effects, chefs kiss. This is some Orwellian lyrical shit though. OH AND THE RIFF RETURNS, YES. Nice little fake out. The snare pops picking up now. You know this song goes hard live. Night Shift: Ooooooh, first slow track? The guitars just make this sound so cool. The vibes really fit the stabby, rip, stab, stab lyrics. Dark, eerie, mysterious. Maybe not the first track I'd show someone to introduce them, but it's a nice break from the faster pace tunes. The feedback ending too is rad. Sin In My Heart: The drums fading in with the picked chord progression, niiice. This intro is such a cool way to pick up the pace. The drums are the stand out on this track for me. This track feels short but that's because they spend the first minute bringing in the tune but yeah, it slaps. The little guitar noodly between the two verses is fun as heck. THE DRUMS in the ending, god daaamn. Head Cut: The screeeeeam. Yes Siouxsie, yes. Do I want to dance? This is kind of dance-y right? And the phasey guitars just really add to the vibe and the little riffs intertwined. The riffs between vocal takes sounds like a Mario boss battle. But the SCREAMS. One of the better vocal standout tracks too. Voodoo Dolly: Slower tune again, very gothic. The drums and the riffs picking up, ooookaaaay, I see you. This is a vibe with the feedback and the reverby vocals. The build up of this track really fits a closer vibe. We speedin' up baaaaby. A wall of noise with the vocals - holy shit, yeah, this is my jam. This is the longest track on the album but it doesn't feel long with the way they use the song to it's fullest. There are lyrics obviously but the way the vocals work with the tremolo picking of the guitars and the drums are just perfect. And the comedown with the slower drumming and the less frantic guitar work. Wow. I'm surprised I never listened to this and I should have sooner.
It's kinda cool but it isn't really my vibe, very spooky and heavy vibes.
I want to be as cool as Siouxsie when I grow up
Not my thing
Although a esteemed punk album I could not get warm with it … don’t know why
ekkert eðlilega ferskt
Avant guard but not mybstyle
I definitely like this one more than the previous ones but to be fair it’s more my style. Will certainly be coming back to it.
Pretty interesting 80s new wave/rock, especially this early in the 80s. Enjoyable but not anything particularly memorable.
I don't know what post-punk means, but this was enjoyable to listen to. 3*. Also this being from the 80s sounds way ahead of its time. Enjoyed: Sin in my heart (the guitar reminded me a lot of Muse)
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could, I think it has some potential and a couple of the tracks really stood out to me. Not bad overall
Surprisingly good
Started good
sad xmas :(
Goth GOAT
One of the best Beatles albums.
I had only heard the 90s Siouxsie music which is much more mainstream, so it was nice to hear her punk roots.
Meh. Was listenable but not something I want to hear often. Sounds kind of like too much noise at once.
Echoey punk, not too harsh
Fantastic album start to finish. Interesting arrangements and progressions, great vocals and lyrics.
Pretty progressive for an album from 1980. Reminds me of an early Heart… for those Canadians out there, remember the song Echo Beach by Martha and the Muffins? Almost exact same style. Very high 3
It's the Banshees. Not sure which I preferred out of the two records in this list but they're both great.
This band goes hard.
I like music from this group of people and wanted to like this album more than I did. It's all right but not one song hooked me, good for casual listening I suppose.
It's pretty much exactly as you'd expect and didn't do much for me. I'd maybe buy them a tuner and tell them to knock off the deliberately slightly out of tune nonsense.
This is real cool! Gave me similar moody vibes to Cocteau Twins, but maybe thats just 80s music? Lots of great moments on this anyway, Stsnding in the Light has a really great guitar part that comes in and out. Just a really cool mix of spooky synths with electric guitar. Love the weird effects they seem to have going on the drums as well. The vocals are phenomenal. Just real iconic 80s shit.
Really see how the band influenced so much of the ‘80s and what followed
3.6 love her voice. Spooky punk rock
Hmm, niet helemaal m'n ding. Te donker, te new-wave, ben ook niet zo fan van haar stem, beetje gothic, dark... Wel veel energie, percussie ook tof. Maar klinkt wat vermoeiend, veel mid-energy, iets te punk, raakt me niet echt. 4de plaat, in 't begin was 't nog meer punk, er is een leuke track op hun debuutplaat HongKong nog iets.
Meh. Favorite track: Fireworks
Liked this, wish it went harder for my preference though, would rate 3.5 if I could. “Spellbound” and “Night Shift” my favourite tracks.
Meh
Good guitar. 3.5
Ganz okay
4.25
Good rock / punk record. A lot of songs sounded similar however. Not a ton of variety.
Never listened to this one all the way through. Interesting sounds and the expected great vocals.
Enjoyed this a lot, great vocals and pretty cool album
I own this album, partially because I'm a Gen X and we love good music.
Decent 80s girl punk.
Chilling, artsy & hard hitting. A goth classic
okay sweet. i think i underrated there alt album a bit, i have been listening to 'switch' by them so much. Im excited for this one. INTO THE LIGHT SO FIREEEE. Holy fuck this goes so hard. bro this album is peak.
Quintessential 80s Indie Sound.
Siouxsie Sue is amazing
loved
The post punk album that shaped the goth sound. It's atmospheric and sinister without being mopey like contemporaries The Cure. The opening track starts out with a familiar sounding guitar riff, but you're soon dragged into the darkness of a claustrophobic, yet melodic journey. There's a brooding menace in these songs that very few bands have been able to replicate.
Solid at the beginning, a bit weaker towards the end.
An amazing mix of great music and shocking lyrics. The guitars and drums sound like Joy Division at times - not quite as evocative, but very heavy and dense. But every now and then, on songs like Night Shift or Sin in My Heart, you realise that the lyrics are sub sixth form poetry, and it takes you out of the place you're in.
Siouxsie Sioux - the original Goth Queen. This is just a classic, post punk Gothy gem. I always thought her and Budgie were a dream team, but I can see now all of them contributed to such a cohesive sound. I had loved them from Happy House on their previous album and this just continued to delight. Siouxsie was a brilliant, distinctive singer and gave the impression she took no shit. A great role model. This was a fantastic, nostalgic ride, full of strong songs that can never be accused of being beige. They are a swirling, black vortex of musical fabulousness.
My (our) friend Jason refers to this band as Siouxie and the Cream Cheese. He also thinks this is their best album and would rate it a 4.5. It’s moody and ethereal and I agree with Jason.
I discovered Siouxsie and the Banshees in high school, as part of my active exploration of music of the day. While this didn't align with my "typical" fare, I liked the band's arty approach and Siouxsie's strange style of singing and lyric play. So this was something of a reminder of what I connected to back then. I was familiar with "Spellbound" and "Arabian Knights" from this album, and while they stand out as the strongest material, I liked most of the other material almost as much.
My daughter's been into goth lately, and she has turned me on to some of the gems from this period, including some of the songs from this album. Today, though, was the first time I listened to the whole thing. This is top-tier I love everything about it. Her singing is so great. The band is fantastic. I love the production, the drums, and the guitars. I love how emotional and weird intense and unrelentingly harrowing it is, and I can't wait to go around again. 5/5
I resisted Siouxsie and the Banshees all through their prime and my college years because my sophomore year roommate put up a poster of Siouxsie that had a shuriken on it and she put that poster right next to my poster of John Lennon. I told her I found her choice offensive. She basically told me to fuck off and played Sioxsie's version of Dear Prudence. Now I recognize what an asshole I was and how I missed out on some really good music.
NONE MORE BLACK
I hate hearing british accents when they sing
I always wanted to like Souxie more than I did back in the 80’s. They just didn’t grab me. They still don’t. my favorite songs are probably Halloween as a solid song and VooDoo Dolly for weirdness.
So much MEH. Btw yesterday I was confused and reviewed the album from the day before again. The punk one was ok. I wasn't quite in a punk mood
I didn't realize that had been around since the early 80s. Some catchy tunes here.
Trust was just fun,
Started off well, but just got repetitive.
Bass lines on every song are fantastic.
Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Juju," released in 1981, is a post-punk masterpiece that exudes dark allure and musical innovation. Tracks like "Spellbound" and "Arabian Knights" showcase Siouxsie Sioux's haunting vocals and the band's atmospheric soundscapes. The album's production is meticulous, blending gothic elements with tribal rhythms. While it may not be as accessible as some mainstream releases, "Juju" is a triumph in avant-garde creativity, pushing the boundaries of post-punk. Its influence on the genre is profound, earning it a solid 4/5 rating. For those drawn to the experimental and atmospheric side of post-punk, "Juju" remains an essential listen.
I take it back - this one is a whole different thing, it’s great!! It has a lot more polish and her voice actually feels more tuneful and congruent with the music. Almost a 5 star. Listens: 2 Fave Track: Monitor Rating: 4
Sucking on dat Juju 4/10
Possibly the worst album I ever heard
Classic. One of my favorite albums to play during the Halloween season.
They have some high-energy tunes that I liked, but their range is very limited. After a while, it all started to sound the same.
4/5 - shpooky1 Fave songs: Spellbound, Halloween, Monitor, Night Shift
This absolutely ruled. Love the gothic punk vibes. Felt like I should be listening in a dimly lit room surrounded by people dressed in black. 4.5/5
I liked it. Not all of it. But most of it. Got weird sometimes. Really dug the instrumentals. 3.5/5
Doesn’t have a hit as good as “Hong Kong Garden” but more consistent than the other album from the band. Probably my favorite female led punk band
What a great album! I am not sure how I missed this record back in the day, but I would have worn this one out if I had it in my collection.
It was aight, too much screaming in my opinion
Really enjoyed this one. Gave me feelings of Florence and the Machine, B-52's, and a little Ace of Base. Some songs were a little out there sounding.
Wasn't my thing.
Good Jams, but no true bangers 8/10
Really great. Made me a fan of the whole band.
#1, #3, #9
Il suprised i didnt love it
Post-punk, goth rock from the 80's. Nothing particularly attractive, same monotonous style throughout the entire album.
Not bad, not really my vibe tho
Reminiscent of Jefferson Airplane only a little darker and less drug induced--well maybe not. Metaphorically way too dark or it would be a 5. It's definitely a path into someone's squirrely mind, but it had some good stopping off places.
decent
great album with a really distinct sound to it! definitely made me a fan and I'll be checking out what else they offer. If you want a heavier 80's punk, its all here.
What a surprise this album was! Lovely gothic punk. This one’s going into the rotation
Jazzy, but different than most jazz I've heard.
Real cool
Good instruments but her vocals are a bit too vibrato-y for me.
Tribal rhythms and dark undertones
DUDE!!!!
I think I'm in love.
I can't take this much Siouxsie in one sitting. It's too discordant.
Appropriately for the date we got this, Halloween is one of the best songs on this album. Other highlights; Monitor, the instrumental intro of "Sin in My Heart". The drumming on the 12 inch mix of Spellbound, included as a bonus track, is quite something.
dark and gloomy early 80’s goth rock, and i am here for it. highlights: “spellbound”, “monitor”, “night shift”.
A little Joan Jett punky stuff. It's not bad. I wouldn't turn it off.
It was fine. Nothing stuck with me, don't need to return to this.
Great album, starts to fall off around the halfway point. Still genre defining and incredibly interesting. Way ahead of it's time aswell.
Missed a day and wound up listening to this one ON Halloween, which is appropriate. This is exactly what I thought it would be actually, the punky goth kids I was briefly in a band with have obviously listened to this album 1000 times. It’s good! Just probably not for me. More enjoyable than My Bloody Valentine but I am less likely to revisit. Still good.
Vibrant and mysterious!
She wasn't just ahead of her time, she invented her time.
Terrific album, few bands have as much personality and feeling as Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Not really my thing, but it was okay.
Perfect listen for the Halloween weekend. A great mix of post punk & goth.
Never gonna turn down an opportunity to listen to some Siouxsie and the Banshees. Many of my favourites on this this album.
Love the sound, wobbly, dark and unnerving post punk with great female vocals. A tad too unnerving for my taste, still a solid album
Much better than the other one I listened to by them. Its cool because, a lot of the instrumental reminds me of current rock/indie. Was a fun listen, but the lead vocals are trash at times
This album rules.
I liked it better than the Aerosmith album idk I thought it was decent but I only got super into one or two of the songs. My favorite song was Sin in my Heart I think
Boring. Not bad, the sound is solid, but the Israeli Witches did it better.
Really cool tunes on this album, but the choruses are weak throughout the album. A few spotty vocal performances as well.
Interesting, a bit mad but I kinda liked it - gave some of their other stuff an extra listen but wasn't so hot on listening to too much in one go
I've listened to this album a lot today and really tried to get it because I think it has a really cool sound. I can understand why this music is really important and significant and I know some people love the anxious atmosphere this creates but I just don't enjoy that! Musically it is really good and the sound is very cool, I really like her bold unusual vocals, but just overall I don't like how it makes me feel and that blocks me from experiencing the lyrics and the message.
Well I thought this was a banger! I recognised some of the songs, but wasn't overly familiar. Thought this was a post punk spectacular Really meaty riffs and punchy vocals. Will be listening again
This was great, right up my street. I've not listen to Siouxsie and the Banshees much, just the hits and the ones Tidal plays to me but I generally like them.
Not a fan. Good chick punk rock
Angular and sharp post punk and goth. Great guitar and vocals thru out.
Superb. I probably wouldn’t have appreciated it in 1981, but regret not listening to this sooner.
Heard of this band of course but never checked it out behind the couple songs from radio play. I really liked this and will listen again
This was a good record, though I don't think I enjoyed it as much as their debut, which I got on here about a month back. The few standout tracks I found were really solid but it did start to feel a little repetitive aside from those. Not sure why, maybe it was my mood today but I found a lot of it to kind of blur together and I'd not realize that a couple of tracks had gone by. Feeling pretty middling on this one unfortunately, though didn't strongly dislike anything about it. Standout Tracks: Spellbound, Halloween, Monitor
Fun proto riot grrl. Musically consistent but ultimately didn't love it
Jangly
A band I’ve thought I was supposed to love but secretly was indifferent towards. Listening to this record made me think I should give more their stuff a chance. Maybe I’ve been wrong in my indifference.
Solid punk with a hint of Irish?
I love this album. Spellbound 8.4 Into the Light 8.0 Arabian Nights 8.8 Halloween 7.6 Monitor 8.2 Night Shift 8.3 Sin in My Heart 8.0 Head Cut 7.7 Voodoo Dolly 8.0
Spellbound 7.9 Into the light 6.8 Arabian nights 7 Halloween 6.7 Monitor 8.1 Night shift 7 Sin in my heart 5.7 Head cut 5.8 Voodoo dolly 6.4 Not totally my vibe but a few interesting tracks on there! 5 stars if played at a Halloween party, otherwise 3.5.
This one may require a re-listen. It wasn’t my favorite style but the album had multiple interesting vocal, lyrical and guitar moments. I respect what they were doing even if it’s not 100% for me. Standout tracks: Spellbound, Monitor, Night Shift 3/5
Not my cuppa
arabian knights
Good for genre
It was okay, didn't really fit the vibe of the day so that probably makes me a bit biased
Eery and genuinely spooky at times. This album does not stand out for any particular song other than the fantastic spellbound. This is not my cup of tea per say but this is my kind of interesting music which brought me to come to this site. For someone else this will be a 10/10 just not for me.
Starts off strong, but gets a little dull/repetitive in the 2nd half. Really like "Into the Light" and "Spellbound." The last track "Voodoo Dolly" has a pretty cool speed up/slow down thing going on.
October was a great time of the year to get this album. The spooky vibes are awesome. It feels like the soundtrack to an 80s slasher movie. There were some sections that were too repetitive for my liking but overall the album was a fun listen. Spellbound, Halloween, Voodoo Dolly, and Arabian Knights were among my favorites.
Oye, este post punk es una agradable y melódica sorpresa. Me gustó Sin in my Heart.
My vibe
Very engaging...It gives this feeling of urgency
Punk was over, and it did not matter one bit to S&B. Chose a direction and never wavered.
Will probably grow on me considerably had some awesome guitars but some challenging vocals
I had heard of Souxsie and the Banshees before, but somehow had never listened to any of their stuff. As a fan of classic rock and punk, it blows my mind that I'd slept on them for so long. "Juju" wasn't the most mindblowing album I've ever heard, but it is a solid work, with some of the most impressive guitar work I've heard (from a group that wasn't necessarily guitar focused). On first listen it didn't necessarily stand out, but under the surface was some fantastic picking. Highlights: Spellbound - The guitar on this is wild. It sounds at first like simple strumming, but the intricacy and rhythm of the pick work is astounding. I didn't want this funky joint to end. Arabian Knights - As a bassist I appreciate the bass riff here. Also Souxsie's ethereal vocals are wonderful. They take on a different mood to match each song. Halloween - Top tier guitar work. Will be listening to this one much more to unpack those riffs. Monitor - Holy Joseph, Is that grunge in 1981? This sounds like it could have been recorded in '92. This track slaps. Lowlights: Night Shift - This is a slow groove. It's fine, but it hangs around way too long IMO. Also the mic feedback(?) isn't pleasant. Head Cut - Some of the vocals are a little too screechy for my tastes. Final Thoughts: This is a great album that I will definitely be listening to more. I can see the influences both from bands in the past and on bands in the future in this pseudo-bridge between classic rock and punk.
Didn’t like this band when I was younger. It was all a bit weird. But I thought I might have more appreciation as an older man. I was wrong. It’s still just as weird as ever. A bit of a dirge to be honest.
alr bit repetitive
The darkest Siouxsie has ever gone. One of the few true key records in gothic rock
Another fourth studio album? Really? Was this the album that Robert Smith played on? It's actually better that I think he did. The first song is a powerhouse. And few people can command the scene like Siouxsie. Just really good.
The dark brooding music and delivery are interesting, though there's not enough banger songs here to really elevate the experience. I liked Arabian Knights and Night Shift the most, though much of the rest seems ordinary.
Goth before goth was goth. But the punk / post-punk label still suits. Siouxsie & The Banshees is always good. 4/5.
Fun. I didn't realise how many of their songs I already knew.
Pretty bad ass album by a band with a pretty bad ass name.
I did not expect myself to enjoy this as much as I am doing. Spellbound is a banger, the reserved energy is exciting. I thought I did not like post-punk, but I like this. Monitor, certified banger. As is Sin in my heart.
Kinda good yet kinda boring
Well, that S(io)ux
Not bad, not great. No need to relisten 2.4
This was a solid album, a good listen. I've heard the song Spellbound by this band before and really enjoyed it, so it was the standout of this album.
An experiment in sounds that somehow got produced into an album. Whenever a melody threatens to appear, it’s interrupted by distortion, a random percussion instrument, or a hiss/yodel. It attempts to be exotic without actually having anything interesting to convey. Its inclusion has me questioning this entire project.
After listening to Juju, It has become my favorite album I reviewed through this project so far. Siouxsie's singing was really great and the music was absolutely top notch for what it was. I didn't think that this album would become my favorite so far (topping Jeff Buckley's Grace) but here we are. My first 5 star album on this project for sure. Best Song: Monitor Worst Song: Into The Light
Monitor is my favorite song I’ve heard from them. I know they’re influential, but I’m not that enthralled.
Some catchy riffs, but overall not my thing. Second Siouxie and the Banshees album that didn’t really move me. Solid 3, won’t listen again.
Very solid album. A few tracks I didn't care for, other than that, 3/5
classic solid 80s; ending sucked
ma che bella scoperta! non conoscevo ma davvero valido (perlomeno per me)
Good drums
Decent. Not my favourite, but not terrible.
Not into it.
Some good tracks on this!
I kind of like some of the instruments on some songs but mostly hated the overall sound
Pretty spooky, more for spooky people than me
It was a punk album. It was alright. I don't really recall any of the songs. It was better than a 2, not really a 3. I will round up.
Fantastic atmosphere, inventive and dense guitar work, great stuff
Me ha gustado mucho Arabian Nights, pero un poco demasiado 80s, es que me gusta más el punk que el rock tbh
Juju is a perfect example of New Wave nostalgia that captured my attention, despite not typically being my go-to genre. I had never heard of the band before, and this was my first time diving into their music for a review in my music school. It's a fun, insightful experience to listen to music outside of my usual preferences, and I have to say, Juju won me over from start to finish. The album, while not the most famous in the Cold Wave scene, carries a unique atmosphere that blends smooth, ethereal vocals by the female lead with the atmospheric soundscapes characteristic of New Wave. The production quality is solid, even though I didn't delve deeply into the technical aspects of the mixing. The tracklist flows well, with each song offering something different while maintaining a cohesive mood throughout. The album's cover also adds to its charm – simple yet intriguing, a true representation of the band's style. Some of the songs may drag on a bit, but there are standout compositions that show off this band's ability to create a distinct sound that feels fresh, even if it’s a bit underappreciated in the broader Cold Wave genre. In conclusion, Juju might not be the most iconic band from the New Wave movement, but it's certainly a fun and worthwhile listen, especially for anyone interested in exploring deeper cuts of 80s music.
great one cause I'm already listening to my halloween playlist and this one fits right in.
Interesting! Not really my cup of tea but it was a pretty different sound from what I would have expected
Pretty cool. I liked the eerie vibes. A soft 4.
Never got the appeal of this band. Maybe the early Goth-rock/post punk sound grabbed people, but not me. No need to listen again. Would give it 2.5 if possible, but I don't dislike it that much, so rounding up.
I though this was fine but not exceptional, but I'm obviously not really the audience for this album. She definitely had charisma, so maybe I'd like it better live.
Woman singing with guitar, bit too conceptual for me, I don't like her singing and random guitar in the background. 2/3***
I wish I like this more. I like the genre, like the asthetic, like the ideas, but none of the songs captured me.
nah this was wicked, wayyy better than expected
Goth pop wonderland!!
Good. Gothy. I like ‘Monitor’ and ‘Night Shift’. That’s it.
This was really good! I loved the instrumentals especially.
Just not for me. Too sloppy.
This was alotta fun, cool band name, a few more discoveries like this would be nice! Getting a bit sick of this run of bang average albums. Strong 3.5, there were a few rather skippable songs. Fav track: Night Shift
Moody, catchy post-punk that again feels like a real precursor to the genre at large. Love the way a lot of these songs are structured, playing with expectations, and the vocals cut through like a knife. Three and a half. Fave track: Head Cut
Lots of fun here - easy to be pulled in by Siouxsie’s energy, as well as a great playing and songwriting. Can hear so much influence this band has had on a lot of Melbourne bands in particular. Really solid album, glad to have discovered this one. Fave track: Into The Light
Not my fav of theirs but still great.
Decent, I'm not a a big fan of punk so this was somewhat delightful for me.
1/8, 13%
Love the rhythm. Very angsty teenage tone. I didn't check what year this was released. Once I heard track 2 I immediately said "oh this is from the 80's" Lo and behold 1981. Very much enjoy the rhythm more than the lyrics but that wont stop me from singing along. I am not saying I am going to do this, but if I need to dispose of a body I am bumping Nigh Shift non stop. After Night Shift the album picks up a lot. The lyrics and angst is stronger and deeper. There has to be a reason why they placed these tracks om the middle of the album but for me they belong at the top. Amazing and something you can really slow rock to.
Once upon a time I might have enjoyed a Lofi gloomy post punk album but today was not one of those days. Appreciate the influence they have on alternative music though.
Better than The Scream. But I still thought I would enjoy Siouxsie And The Banshees more than I do.
I got into it
men, too warbly
Not bad, but nothing really special right here. Everything sounds similar and even the most popular song on the album underwhelms. The mood throughout is consistent and the dark melodies are fine, just not my style. 3/5 Probably wont listen again
Really liked the entirety of the album
Not big on punk, but still decent listening 👍
If Kate Bush was in the B52s but was a worse songwriter
First got introduced to this band in a game called 'Sleeping Dogs', with 'Hong Kong Garden'. I love the singers voice so far and I've only heard 'Spellbound'. The guitar and drums are so mesmerising. Feels like they're dancing around my head while her enchanting voice has me captivated. Also really appreciating the punky gothic elements, it gets me moving with it. The songs feel like they're spiralling around my head. It's a surreal experience. 'Monitor' had me dancing and feeling motivated. Overall, awesome album.
Really strong album for 1981. It sets the tone for 80s alternative without feeling dated. “Monitor” is pretty sick and surprisingly proto grunge. The EBow on “Sin In My Heart” is rad. Great tone across the board. The lyrics are the only thing I don’t love.
i was surprised that this album was from 1981 because it feels about a decade ahead of its time — the lyrics/vocals are the weakest part of this, and they’re not particularly weak. there are some songs i wouldn’t want to listen to again, which is why this isn’t a 5, but it’s pretty close
Kinda just weird background music. No bangers, nothing particularly bad, solid 3 stars.
What voice Siouxsie has! Dark and ethereal, it compliments these gothic arrangements perfectly.
amazing
*Track 5: Monitor*
mixed feelings with this album. LOVE the instrumental/background sounds but thoroughly dislike the lyrics//the sound of the singer. the constant repetition of the lyrics jumbled with the off-putting sound of the singer gives a very weird experience while listening to it that im not too sure i enjoy. also thinks this album would be so much better w transitions. ‼️‼️ that was NOT arabian nights ‼️‼️ fav song : night shift
I just don't get it. After seeing all the 4 and 5 star reviews, I'm honestly a bit surprised. There's this dissonance in the double-tracked vocals that I just don't like at all. It's got a decent attitude and beat at least.
SPELLBOUND!
strong 3 out of 5. i like the album but kaleidoscope has a more consistent vibe. but siouxsie is an icon nonetheless
3/5 This album started off really strong and then got way too experimental at the end. I did however really love the simple drum beats. It made me feel like I could possibly play it. I like the lead singers voice for this type of music but it's not my go-to kind of listening. The album was okay overall but it's not my new favorite or anything.
This was okay! A bit dark and moody but that's fine by me. Particularly enjoyed the bass and drums in the early songs.
Really cool album, highlights were Into the Light and Monitor
Def a good Halloween album and feels spooky but still has a clear rhythm and tone. I enjoyed it.
Nicole Sabouné-känsla
Really enjoyed it. I want to say 3.5 / 5, but can't go to 4 so its a classic 3 out 5 3/5
A post punk/goth classic, one of the great albums of the genre. Moody, unsettling arrangements combined with Siouxsie Sioux's hauntingly authoritative vocal and dark lyrical imagery. The rhythm forward style and wide ranging creative use of guitar creates a really singular sound that doesn't really sound like anything else. This is probably the Banshees' best album. Fave songs: Spellbound, Into the Light, Sin in My Heart
kivaa rokkia, ehdoton postpunkkiklassikko välittömästi, sillä niitä ei montaa ole heh... naisvokalisti aina mukava kuulla rokbändin keulassa( 6 jalkaa btw) respektfullia kakkosta lävähtää. ilonaihe, ei surun. (tässä kohtaa paluu könöseen saliin heh, tulevaisuuden lukijoille...) six in my heart
This has a lot of energy and you can always tell what they're going for. When it works its great, Robert Smith's guitar stuff is great here and the vocals can be good. But there's a lot that doesn't do it for me.
A bit gothic and it was alright but I didn’t really liked it that much unless from few songs
Quite enjoyed this one's vibes. You can see the line going from punk to goth, and setting a standard while at it. Very cool
No.
Spellbound and Arabian knights are good. Other than that, mid.
Didn’t like most songs, as not into that genre. Sounds similar to Florence and the Machine. When mixes started replaying I thought I liked it since I recognised it (Spellbound / Arabian Nights).
Very interesting cause this album feels like it's from modern era, when I saw 1981 I was pretty shocked. Spellbound and Monitor best tracks for me.
Post punt gothic bliss.
This is phenomenal. Extremely gripping instrumentals on every track. The voice and lyrics mix together perfectly with them as well. Truly impressive arrangements. Favorite track: Monitor
Solid vocals, solid sounds
8/10 - hadn’t properly delved into Siouxsie and the banshee’s prior to this listen except for a couple of tracks, but this was a pleasant surprise. A very consistent album with great vocals and seamless transitions which gave it a really refined feel. Felt the second half lacked as much quality as the first but it definitely didn’t take away from the overall listen. Would listen again Favourite tracks - Spellbound Into the light Halloween Monitor
background fight night music?
Great punky album with awesome female vocalist
Very good, unique, some nice catchy bits too andsets a nice atmosphere
This was just ok for me. Interesting and cool for sure but also def not mind-blowing. 3 stars only.
First time hearing “Voodoo Dolly”: awful noise The 2nd time: awesome, I love it Finding there’s a lot to love in early 80s goth rock, between the Cure, Bauhaus and now this HL: “Into the Light”, “Monitor”, “Night Shift”, “Spellbound”
Bien. Oscuro, con cantante femenina. Pero no me llega a encantar.
My internal goth felt ecstatic.
Probably the Banshees' best - Monitor is a propulsive beast, powered by that riff, and McGeoch's guitar throughout is a joy. And Into The Light does indeed bring some light to the gothic shade. We'll skip quickly past the - er - reductive lyrics of Arabian Nights, but beyond that, Spellbound is a classic Siouxsie single, and generally this is probably the band's strongest set.
It's not exactly a summer smash of an album. This takes me back to dull winter nights and trying to find some escape from all the mainstream bullshit of the time. But sometimes you need a little joy. Especially on a Monday morning. This dragged tbh. Spellbound has some great guitar work, but it wasn't enough to give me the boost I wanted. Something of a timepiece.
Prachtig allemachtig
I liked the first song spellbound. Didnt do it for me after that.
I've never listened to any Siouxsie and The Banshees' music before, but based on what I've heard about them, I had an idea of what to expect. I'm happy to say that my expectations were met and exceeded with this album. I imagined that S&TB would sound like some sort of hybrid of The Cure and Echo & The Bunnymen, and not to pat myself on the back too much, but I'd say my imagination was pretty spot on. This album reminded me of what I love about both of those bands (cavernous and complex sounds with haunting lyrics and vocals), but still managed to sound completely unique. Just like The Cure, S&TB manages to produce their distinct sound in several different ways; sometimes its with guitar riffs, like on "Into The Light," or sometimes it's with percussion, like the booming bass drums and cymbal riding on "Arabian Knights." Other times, the band uses something else entirely to produce their haunting sound, like the building tempo of "Sin In My Heart." No matter how they do it, S&TB does it well. I love their use of distortion and sounds like breaking glass to create such a sense of unease and dread with their music. Siouxsie Sioux's vocals are absolutely incredible, and it's a nice change to hear a female voice in a post punk band. I think this album was probably a huge influence on several artists, especially Chvrches, who are probably my favorite currently active band, and that just makes me love this album even more. I'm so glad I got to experience this album today, and I know it'll be in my permanent rotation, especially in October.
Meh
first listen this is a fascinating vibe of sounds that reminds me of a lot of modern indie pop
Classic post modern punk. Her voice is incredible: monitor is a standout
My brothers name is Juju
WACK I didn't listen to it
J'ai quand meme vraiment aimé pour un genre de Punk ca déménage mais la musique est entrainante. 4
Was decent. I don’t really have anything to critique about it but it’s also not really a type of music I’ll constantly listen to. 6/10
I really liked this one!
Didn’t really grab me
I think I'll give this a 3. I liked the sinister feel to it. Slow and dark. I'd probably only ever heard what's been on the radio by S&TB.
Too much like everything else back then
Every indie female fronted band (and most indie bands, for that matter) from the 2000s to now owe a lot to Siouxsie. But, I'm not a massive fan, so I see the value of them on the list, but for me, it's still only a 2 star.
Well produced, low three. There are songs I do like and may just need to listen to again. Really interesting sound and was probably ahead of it’s time.
Not a big fan of the vocals, otherwise some cool sounds
Sonen song I realtid good, Nice sound but sometimes the songs sounds the same
Liked it more than I expected. Dark, gloomy, uncomfortable, menacing, even a bit terrifying. But damn good. I have a soft spot for early 80s guitar sounds. It's dated yes, but when it comes to the 80s guitar and even synths, give me 1981/1982 over 1988/1989.
Eerie and cool guitar work and band interplay, but with a useless vocalist making a mess of every single song. A very dated sounding album too. The 80's was fucking weird.
Bright, bold, ballsy, high energy, tuneful, catchy, punk-pop-rock. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Spellbound Date listened: 01/06/23
Shimmers and shines, Siouxsie and the Banshees have something compelling going on here. Siouxsie’s insistent vocals, the pulsating drumming, here is a pink album with artists who can play, less nihilistic, more introverted. Really good fun.
an amazing punk album that kept me engaged throughout its entirety, very underrated album
Although I do like some to the singles/hits, I haven't really heard a full Siouxsie & The Banshees album before. The album sets a mood and sticks with it.
Pretty awesome rock album. Definitely worth a relisten.
Cool sound. Kinda like Super Tramp but darker and more punk. Occasionally Apparently they were bigger in the UK. Definitely recognized their biggest hit, Spellbound. Good song.
I like Siouxsie And The Banshees but I may not have heard a full album of their music outside of a greatest hits compilation. "Spellbound" might be the only track from Juju that I had heard before. Overall the album was good. I liked the album enough to listen to the re-release bonus tracks. I'm not sure where this album fits in to the rest of the work from the band. Juju sounds like an album from Siouxsie And The Banshees. I found stuff that I could re-listen to, but nothing that I HAVE to listen to again. I'll round up to 4 stars.
This is an improved version of The Scream. I like it better. It kind of has the same issues to some extent. I don't like the singing much and most songs are good, but not from start to finish. Favorite song: Into the light.
Post-punk, dark wave. Ni fu ni fa.