Juju

This album was a lot more put together than the Scream and I was thrilled by that. Increased effort to refine their sound and make a concept album especially with the talent of guitar and vocals was a big post-punk showing at the time, but definitely contributed to later indie sounds

Indie light rock…eh, ok

Post punk classic, not for me tho.

Not bad. Little repetitive after about 3 tracks, but good lyrics, composition, and production. Good album, good goth rock stuff. 4/5

Eh

I like ghotic post punk and Siouxsie's voice is just legendary

Spellbound arabian knights monitor

Really good album. Lovely piece of post-punk that I'll be sure to listen more.

Better than expected but still just average at best

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Siouxsie Sioux and her band the Banshees are considered to be one of the first Goth Rock bands together with Bauhaus. They released their debut in 1978 and build a solid career start with the following albums but as they released Juju, Goth Rock became a much more comercial genre but became as experimental as ever, slowly drifting from the very strong Punk roots. Juju was a success and is seen as one of the best Goth albums of all time with a mix between Post-Punk, Goth as well of hints from Psychedelia. The albums opening track 'Spellbound' already is easily the best song on the album. It's incredibly catchy and full of energetic and groovy delivery. It's so fun while still holding the obvious dark tones that they and Goth Rock are known for. It already shows the mystical and magical sound a lot of the album shares as well as some clear psychedelic influence and is without a doubt the most consistently enjoyable song on the album and also one of the best songs they ever made. Following that is another incredible song, 'Into the Light' is a more openly dark and introspective track that has echoey verses that build up into more and more instrumentation that release into a great chorus full of emotional singing and dark sounding effects around it. It is a beautiful song that shares so much with what Goth Rock was at that point in its evolution and saying this song pushed it even further is not to overlook. And while I love so many moments, there are others that I kind of feel aren't as interesting as they should've been for the song to work perfectly. 'Arabian Knights' completes the incredible trilogy that are the first tracks. It adds much more cryptic themes in the lyrics that are portraied with such perfection that the song sounds as ominous as it could possibly have been. A wonderful showcase of what she and her band was able to create as the song is both full of dancable, rhythmic and melodic playing but still shows the clear dark themes and soul that is so present with the genre. The very anxious guitar playing at the start of 'Halloween' really gets you into a state full of nightmarish magic that is broken up by Siouxsie's vocals that build up and finalise in a similar anxious playing that just adds to the overall build-up of the song. I think it's a gorgeous song with so much Post-Punk energy all throughout. The albums first half closes with the noisy and hardcore sounding 'Monitor' that is another definitive album highlight. It perfectly blends the sounds of early Hardcore Punk with the atomspheric and dark sounds of Goth Rock to create a song that is so interesting with everything that happens at all time that it's pretty much impossible to not be interested with what is happening. Especially the bridge is done so well that I think it actually makes the whole song even better. Side B starts with 'Night Shift', a dark and, compared to most songs here, long song at 6 minutes of runtime. But it works that way. The guitar that builds tension the whole way really makes this an anxious and surreal song that gives out a lot of unease as it both feels like being hunted at night and being locked up in a dark room. It is a perfect mix of emotions that result in a song so gripping that I think that this is the albums emotional highlight. The following 'Sin in My Heart' is plays with even more tension and unease starting right at the start with dissonant guitar playing that slowly adds more and more until Siouxsie comes with energetic and raw vocals that are some of the punkiest on the entire record. The song keeps the dissonance but doesn't get to weird or avant-garde and keeps it just at the level of giving a feeling of discomfort. Another incredible song the whole way through. 'Head Cut' keeps the energy of before but doesn't really give the weird feelings of before. That doesn't mean that it isn't interesting as there are a couple of moments her vocals turn into something you'd probably hear at an exorcism ritual. It is probably the "least interesting" right of the bat but the song still is an incredible throughout with many great moments that still make this a one of a kind listen and another perfect song. The album closes on the longest one it has to offer as 'Voodoo Dolly' is 7 whole minutes long. It starts slow and quiet but builds over the span of multiple minutes into a louder and with more and more tension provided song that builds up into a superb final moment. But the some moments that got the song where it ended do feel a little bit "left aside", if that makes sense. It's still a great song but when held side to side with the rest of the album it does pale a little bit. favourites: Spellbound, Night Shift, Sin in My Heart, Monitor, Halloween, Arabian Knights, Head Cut least favourites: Voodoo Dolly (if I HAD to pick one) Rating: light to decent 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

"Juju" is the fourth album by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. Post punk, gothic rock, art rock and pyschedelic rock are listed genres. The album was a return to more guitar-based music then the electronic bent of their previous album "Kaleidoscope." The band realized this was sort of a "concept album" as they were working on it since it really drew on the darker elements. The band members included Siouxsie Sioux (vocals, guitar), Steven Severin (bass), Budgie (drums, percussion) and John McGeoch (guitar). The album did well commercially reaching #1 in the UK and was a critical favorite, cited as a landmark of post punk. An eerie guitar and a prodding bass open their first single "Spellbound." The music kicks in with a great strumming acoustic guitar. Siouxsie's vocals are strong and forceful as she tells the story of child growing up to become a violent adult. The second single "Arabian Knight" has an echoing guitar and pounding drums. Siouxsie initially comes in softy. The pace ramps up as Siouxsie sings of the abuse of women in the Middle East. "Monitor" closes out Side A with some classic and urgent post punk guitar by McGeoch. The bass is forward in this fairly hypnotic song. The lyrics are prescient as they describe the idea of real violence seen in short circuit TV as entertainment. High-pitched guitar slashes highlight "Sin in My Heart." Bass forward. The guitars become layered and the pace picks up. The idea of the male as submissive. This is a great and chilling song. Creepy guitar notes and Siouxsie whispering open the the seven-minute closer "Voodoo Dolly." The drumming is almost tribal. Siouxsie gains momentum as she describes listening to that drum in your ear as the voodoo doll transfixes your fear. This music is haunting, dark, hypnotic and rocking. All the musicians are top notch equally contributing to these songs. The lyrics are dark as Siouxsie sings about serial killers, voodoo dolls, violence, abused women and women and men submissiveness. This album pretty much defines post punk, goth and especially the dark wave. This is a great, great album. I'm not sure the whole goth scene would have existed without this album.

This is one of those records that succeeds mightily at what it set out to do.

Gogo and B-52 vibe.

Light punky sound

Enjoyed at the beginning. Not really into indie-style (probably not indie but still) so lost interest the second half. Putting my indie bias aside thought it was a chill album to play on the background!

Siouxsie!

Oscuro, ipnotico, molto bello

Also not my normal thing, but very good!

Impressive, but a little too discordant for my tastes.

Siouxsie Sioux sounds like Kate Pierson from the B-52s; except it sounds like she isn't having any fun at all. The guitars are cold and soulless, lacking midrange warmth, and drenched in modulation, ensuring that it always sounds unsettling. I don't mind mopey bands and all; but I did not have any fun listening to this.

Album 492 of 1001 Siouxsie And The Banshees - Juju Rating : 2.75 / 5 Wanted to like this more as other I've heard from them but this just didn't hit for me.

Aesthetically strong, but I was not able to vibe too much with it.

A good solid album was never a massive fan but still enjoyable

I knew Spellbound well and there are some good tracks on here. Given it a 3 initially but could see it being upgraded to a 4 with more listens

Hadn't heard it before. Not too bad, but probably better for a younger stage of life.

solid - much more straightforward and enjoyable than the past few albums the bass has that 80s octave-y sound.

"Juju," the fourth studio album by Siouxsie and the Banshees, released on June 6, 1981, stands as a pivotal work in the post-punk and gothic rock genres. The album showcases the band's evolution and maturity, both musically and lyrically. In this in-depth review, we'll explore the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of "Juju," along with a balanced discussion of its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of "Juju" are deeply atmospheric, often exploring dark and mystical themes. Siouxsie Sioux's writing is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of otherworldliness throughout the album. The opening track, "Spellbound," sets the tone with lyrics that delve into the enchantment and allure of the supernatural. Lines like "From the cradle bars comes a beckoning voice" conjure an eerie, haunting atmosphere. "Arabian Knights," another standout track, features lyrics that mix sensuality with a critique of cultural imperialism. The song's imagery is rich, blending exoticism with a sense of foreboding. In "Halloween," the lyrics tap into the themes of identity and transformation, using the metaphor of the holiday to explore deeper psychological states. "Night Shift," perhaps the darkest track on the album, deals with themes of murder and psychosis. Its stark, brutal lyrics depict a chilling narrative of violence and obsession. "Monitor," on the other hand, critiques the pervasive influence of television and media, with lyrics that reflect a sense of surveillance and loss of individuality. ### Music Musically, "Juju" is a masterclass in post-punk, blending driving rhythms, haunting melodies, and innovative guitar work. John McGeoch's guitar playing is particularly noteworthy, characterized by its distinctive use of effects and textures. His contributions are crucial to the album's sound, providing both melodic hooks and atmospheric depth. The rhythm section, featuring Steven Severin on bass and Budgie on drums, lays a solid foundation that propels the songs forward with a relentless energy. The interplay between Severin's melodic bass lines and Budgie's tribal drumming creates a hypnotic groove that is both danceable and menacing. Songs like "Spellbound" and "Arabian Knights" are propelled by infectious, almost anthemic rhythms, while tracks like "Night Shift" and "Sin in My Heart" delve into more experimental and abrasive territory. The album's closing track, "Voodoo Dolly," is a seven-minute epic that builds slowly, layering haunting vocals and atmospheric instrumentation to a powerful climax. ### Production "Juju" was produced by Nigel Gray, who had previously worked with the Police. Gray's production is clean and precise, allowing the band's intricate arrangements and sonic experiments to shine. The album's mix emphasizes clarity and separation, giving each instrument space to breathe and ensuring that Siouxsie Sioux's vocals are always at the forefront. The use of effects, particularly on McGeoch's guitar and Siouxsie's vocals, adds to the album's otherworldly atmosphere. Echo, reverb, and delay are used judiciously to enhance the mood without overwhelming the core performances. The production strikes a balance between the raw energy of a live performance and the meticulous detail of a studio recording. ### Themes Thematically, "Juju" delves into the macabre, the mystical, and the psychological. The album's lyrics often explore the darker aspects of human experience, from obsession and violence to identity and transformation. There is a recurring motif of enchantment and spellcasting, as suggested by the album's title and tracks like "Spellbound" and "Voodoo Dolly." The theme of surveillance and media manipulation in "Monitor" reflects the band's growing awareness of societal issues, adding a layer of political commentary to the album. The lyrics of "Arabian Knights" critique Western perceptions of the East, blending personal and political themes in a way that was ahead of its time. ### Influence "Juju" has had a lasting impact on both the post-punk and gothic rock genres. Its fusion of dark, atmospheric music with evocative, often unsettling lyrics set a template that many bands would follow. The album's influence can be heard in the work of later artists like The Cure, Bauhaus, and even more contemporary acts like Interpol and Savages. The guitar work of John McGeoch, in particular, has been highly influential, inspiring a generation of musicians with his innovative use of effects and textural playing. Siouxsie Sioux's vocal style, with its blend of strength and vulnerability, has also been a significant influence on subsequent vocalists in the alternative and gothic scenes. ### Pros 1. **Innovative Guitar Work**: John McGeoch's playing is a standout feature, blending melody and texture in a way that enhances the album's atmosphere. 2. **Strong Rhythm Section**: The interplay between Steven Severin's bass and Budgie's drums creates a compelling, danceable groove. 3. **Evocative Lyrics**: Siouxsie Sioux's writing is vivid and haunting, adding depth to the album's dark themes. 4. **Cohesive Production**: Nigel Gray's production balances clarity and atmosphere, ensuring that the album's intricate arrangements are fully realized. 5. **Thematic Depth**: The album explores a range of complex themes, from personal transformation to societal critique, giving it a lasting relevance. ### Cons 1. **Dark Subject Matter**: The album's focus on macabre and unsettling themes may not appeal to all listeners and can be perceived as too intense or niche. 2. **Consistency Over Diversity**: While the album is cohesive, some might argue it lacks the stylistic diversity seen in other post-punk albums, potentially leading to a feeling of monotony. 3. **Production Era-Specific**: Some production choices, like the heavy use of reverb and delay, might sound dated to modern ears, although they were innovative at the time. 4. **Complexity Over Accessibility**: The intricate arrangements and dense lyrics might be challenging for casual listeners, making the album more of an acquired taste. ### Conclusion "Juju" by Siouxsie and the Banshees is a seminal work in the post-punk and gothic rock genres, characterized by its innovative guitar work, strong rhythm section, evocative lyrics, and cohesive production. The album's exploration of dark and mystical themes, combined with its lasting influence on subsequent artists, cements its place as a classic of its era. While its intense subject matter and complex arrangements might not be for everyone, the album's artistic achievements and contributions to its genre are undeniable. For those willing to delve into its haunting world, "Juju" offers a richly rewarding listening experience that continues to resonate decades after its release.

Not my jam but some moments I could almost enjoy.

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

I wish I liked this one more! The first half was cool and funky, but they lost in me in the second half.

this is one of those albums that I can appreciate what it's doing and where it fits into music history and culture as a whole, but it's ultimately just not for me. the dark and brooding gothic rock/proto-punk vibe is interesting for a song or two, but quickly just falls back to sameness. the front half of this album was definitely more interesting than the back half, but it wasn't enough to keep my interest. favorites: spellbound, into the light

It was interesting. I think i'll be able to appreciate it more as time goes on.

This album is fantastic. I have played it 3 times in a row very early on a Saturday morning making this a great start to the weekend. There are some great tunes like Arabian nights and Monitor. Favourite song: Monitor Least favourite: All great tunes. Album artwork: Great cover, I have no idea what is going on with it.

Awesome album, feel like I’ve heard of Siouxie Sioux but not sure if I had heard any of her music.. I’m a bit of a sucker for a female lead with a punk or metal sound, so this was great. 4.5/5

This is another of those bands who I was aware of, had heard the hits on the radio but never really dived into an album. Turns out it's fairly consistent, radio friendly punk pop. I enjoyed it, like the attitude and the hooks were good. Nothing I'll be heading back to but a worthwhile listen.

While I can understand the historical importance of punk, that doesn't justify how ridiculously often it appears on this list. And albums like this are just about the most archetypal examples of why it shouldn't. Siouxsie's vocals aren't very appealing to begin with, and they sound even worse when double-tracked. It's gives off a very unprofessional and messy feel. McGeoch's guitar playing is similarly inaccessible, mostly avoiding any particularly good hooks or solos, and instead playing experimentally in a way that hasn't aged well since the early 80s. I'm very surprised that these were the two musical aspects most praised by critics, because they bring the music from decent, energetic rock down to near-unlistenable dreck. I do feel that I'm giving Siouxsie And The Banshees a little too much flak here. Some of the songs are genuinely pretty great – namely, the two opening tracks, Spellbound and Into The Light (the latter of which should've been the second single instead of Arabian Knights). Spellbound was an immediate hit for me and the rest of the album never quite reached the same energy. Great drumming and bass playing here too. Monitor is also a solid track, containing a simple yet elegant chord progression and a prog-esque textural journey. But the remaining six tracks... man, they're just not engaging at all. Really makes you wonder what was going on in Dimery's head. 2/5 Key tracks: Into The Light, Monitor, Spellbound

I've been aware of the band for a long time, but had never bothered to listen to an album of theirs. That was a mistake as this is fire.

Lovely dark post punk

I really appreciate music of this era (and atmosphere). That being said, this one didn't grab me as much as others have. 2/5

enjoyed it more than i thought i would - had me tapping my toes a couple times

Five songs in 20 minutes, and one is a remix. Painfully short record from this excellent band. 4/5

Me fait penser à qqchose, mais je n'arrive pas à mettre le doigt dessus. Bien aimé.

trivial creep rock, her voice makes every song sound the same

Komisch, nach jedem Titel denke ich, gleich macht John Peel eine Ansage.

Je ne sais pas si j'étais dans un état plus réceptif, mais j'ai vraiment mieux aimé que le premier album de Siouxsie que j'ai eu. C'est évidemment un album qui a eu un impact significatif sur la scène post-punk et il sonne toujours frais à ce jour. Définitivement à garder en rotation. 9/10

Very Mucha post-punk touchstone. Punishing guitar and sharp, staccato vocals. I needed more that was human to be able to balance that out in the lyrics.

What a badass album! I don't know what this dude did to his guitar, but the sounds he has coming out of it are insanely cool and unique and are a highlight of every track. And Siouxsie's vocals are arresting, haunting and beautiful. I can't look away. Combine the two, along with those steady driving basslines, and I can listen all day (just played it through twice). Although I'd heard of the band before, this is my first listen. And it looks like I have a new discography to explore. Fave tracks: Arabian Nights, Monitor, Into the Light, Spellbound 4.5/5.0

The youth may think Stevie Nicks is witchy, but little do they know about the dark magic and gothic spells of Siouxsie, rock's best Susan. This album sounds like a decomissioned barbed wire factory cursed for being built on a druidic ceremonial site and haunted by centuries of ghouls.

McGeoch's fantastic guitar work, Budgie's relentless, frantic drumming and Siouxsie Sioux haunting powerful vocals come together perfectly on this album. Well not a perfect album It's probably my favorite Banshees album.

Driving post-punk/goth-ish with great guitar/percussion going on to compliment Siouxsie‘s tremendous vocals. Almost every track is compelling, strong record.

Good. I'd probably listen to it again.

I liked this one a lot. The powerful drums, interesting guitar work, and really good vocals work with the gothic/punk esthetic quite well. Really great stuff here.

I think I just had mixed emotions about this album overall. I think it was diverse and something new, but honestly it just didn’t stick with me. I was intrigued to listen to it but I just barely remember it. I do recognize the influence though!

When you don't think guitar genius can come in a package other than 80s spandex, whammy bars, and ripping solos (but to be clear - they really do. or did.) this is a great counter-point. Man I love this album - I like it so much more than their debut for many reasons: Siouxsie's vocals are far more assured, the guitar work from John McGeoch is absolutely fantastic and unique. Most of all this album has way better songs than they'd written in the past. Is this goth? Is it post-punk? Just art rock? Who gives a shit - it's not for everyone but it's weird, it's jarring, it's anxious and paranoid and it's great. Faves: "Spellbound" "Into the Light" "Halloween" TL;DR: This album makes me want to go back to my youth and trade in all my baseball shirts and jeans for black eyeliner and hoodies. 9/10 5 stars.

Really interesting and unique sound and a good listen

The start and middle of the album was good. But it was lost to me by the end!

A good album, firmly betwixt the 70s and 80s. It is enjoyable with some good songs but not something that will be in my regular rotation.

consummate pros at work here.

Loved this front to back.

really unique album, i love the melodies and jangly guitars as well as her voice. light 8/10

I found the song writing to be mixed, to the extent that I don't want to listen to the album all the way through again. The better songs are decent and I'd happily return to them, although won't be adding to any particular playlists.

Love Siouxsie but never really listened before I must confess. This was great. Has a good energy about it

Cool to hear this sound this early, but in the context of “does one need to hear this before they die?” No. There are better examples from when this sound was further developed.

The opening guitar riff had me hooked. I loved this album and was pleasantly surprised because I have never heard of this band.

Siouxsie and The Banshees' fourth album, Juju, marks a significant evolution from their earlier punk roots into a more experimental gothic sound, earning acclaim as one of their best works. From the powerful singles "Spellbound" and "Arabian Knights" to standout tracks like "Into the Light" and "Sin in My Heart," the album showcases the band's artistic growth. The consistent quality of songs such as "Night Shift" and "Head Cut" contributes to the album's cohesive, dark ambiance. Overall, *Juju* exemplifies the band's transformation into a premier pop-goth outfit and remains a high point in their discography.

3.7

a hypnotising album full of unsettling lyrics and dark guitars. I can't believe it came out in 1981 when I was in school and into punky new wave stuff - it must have passed me by. If I'd heard it then I don't know where I'd be. I was aware of the singles such as Spellbound and Arabian Knights but other tracks such as Monitor and Night Shift draw you in to a world of darkness and mortuaries.

Been meaning to listen to this album for a while so good to get round to it. Really good as expected, right up my street. Fav tracks: Monitor, Arabian Knights, Spellbound

Fabulous

Interesting listen. Best track is Spellbound 3/5

Interesting.

Pretty good

Terrible. I can't imagine why someone would purposefully listen to this.

A landmark album. Hugely influential on a wide varieties of genres, including post-punk, synth pop, indie rock and (whether they like it not) especially goth rock. There's some very interesting guitar work and experimentation. This album fits equally well into the art rock and pop worlds. It's dark, brooding, and infectiously upbearr. There's not a single boring track and I could listen to the entire thing on repeat. I only really one have criticism. Siouxsie and the Banshees have always walked a bit too close to cultural appropriation line for me. There's nothing wrong with paying homage to African music but there's something uncomfortable about just titling an album 'Juju' and slapping an African mask on the cover. Especially from a band that's made some other questionable decisions. This kind of stuff hasn't aged too well. Their music, on the other hand, certainly has. I really love this album, that one point aside.

Probably the best Siouxsie album I've heard.

Yeah this was quite good.

I like how this was a bit more avant garde than their peers in the punk world, and it's refreshing to hear a female voice fronting this kind of sound.

Very good!! This album was too early for me once I got into Siousxie in the later 80s, but it’s great listening to it now.

Nope.

"Vibes" is the best way to describe this album. Moody, dark and damp. Paint your bedroom walls black, dye your hair black and wear some cheap jewellery in the shape of skulls and tear holes in your clothes while sit in a basement smoking clove cigarettes. Post-Punk that just hits you in the gut. Mope about - and enjoy it. Best Tracks: Spellbound; Into The Light; Halloween

good, but a bit weird for me. too much vocal pretentiousness, not enough guitars!

Quite annoying singing with distorted guitars in the background (nothing against the latter though).

Nada especial para mi, no deja de ser una especie de Pop de los 80. Canciones sin alma, con títulos que parecían prometer mucho pero finalmente para mi gusto ninguna cosa a destacar. Lo he oído de seguido sin sentir apego en ningún momento en especial. No son malas canciones tampoco, pero no tienen una personalidad concreta ni nada que haga que merezca la pena tener en cuenta para volver a escucharlo.

I saved Arabian Nights

This is an interesting listen. Not something I would normally listen to, but the more I listen the more I like it, so 3 stars or C+.

meh

Shocker: this record is kind of a bummer. Pretty interesting given the context of its release but wow what a bummer.

Too much rhythm; not enough melody.

Rating: 7/10 Very good album overall. The band's ability to combine gothic and jangly elements is really commendable, the album has a dark tone/atmosphere while having catchy instrumentation. This album is wildly creative and risk-taking which I respect but I don't find a decent bit of it to be that enjoyable. Favorite songs: Spellbound, Into the Light, Halloween, Monitor, Sin In My Heart. Worst song: Voodoo Dolly.

Very good for its time, (enjoyed listening to it) score 7

A fun listen! Some good tunes, nice flow to the album. Solid.

Yeh, I liked this a lot. Very goth, very post punk. And it’s got that nice, driving dark guitar wall of sound that I like so much from albums of this era and style, coupled with that relentless tribal drumming and Siouxie’s unsettling lyrics and intense singing. It’s a strong 4 out of 5.

Spellbound, monitor highlights Close to 5 but just 4

I am still sick, so I'll have to listen when my mind is back in order. But there's something here. Shades of the Cure and Morrissey, but also a precursor to the Smashing Pumpkins in that goth sound. Some Pumpkins things that I thought were entirely unique to their sound actually show themselves here. I didn't absolutely fall in love with it on first or second listen, but I'm hopeful.

Post punk, lidt gothic

I've always enjoyed Siouxsie. New to me, but enjoyable

Couldn’t get into it

This isn’t my favorite Souixsie release, but there are some classics here. Where’s the Bauhaus entry?

I liked it okay.

Pretty mid overall

This is the first album of the project where I really discovered something new that I liked! Her voice is really great and I love the attitude of the music. It's not the type of album I'd buy, that's why it's not 5 stars, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Growing up, all the cool alt kids were into this. I’d never heard a song of theirs before, but when I saw this pop up I was happy. This is the sort of thing I wanted to learn from this project. A band I would never listen to but for this. I will not be listening to them again. I’m old. This was just noise.

I can see the appeal. But it’s not my favorite!

Enjoyed it more as album went on Standout songs: Halloween Night Shift Voodoo Dolly

To put it bluntly, I was not impressed by this album. The not-quite punk, not-quite rock genre with an early '80s feel is decidedly not for me. There's not much to dissect here, it was more or less annoying to listen to.

Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🤔🔎🤢 Mix (2006 Remaster): 📉🤷‍♂️🤏 Musik: 🕸️🚫😕 Wertung: 🗿🗿(🗿)/5

Great songs from a legendary band.

Voodoo Dolly is going on my Spook-y Hoes playlist.

The guitars here were very interesting, and the vocals feel very representative of the era in which the album was released. Overall though, this does not leave much of a lasting impression. 2/5

COOL

Really great post punk/gothic/art rock album, which doesn't sound dated even if it was released in the early 1980s. The songs are melodic and haunting, exactly what I love. I have heard of this band before but not this album so this is a nice discovery.

Some catchy songs in here

Well, this is perfect timing because I picked up a first pressing of this album on vinyl last weekend. This album is so good. It's crazy to think this came out in 1981, because so much of it still sounds fresh. Monitor and Night Shift could have been on the radio in the 2000s (think Tool or System of a Down). And Spellbound should absolutely have a rebirth a la Kate Bush during the 80s nostalgia moment. Everything about this iteration of the band is fantastic. Siouxsie's voice is incredible, Budgie's drums are relentless (along with Severin's bass). And as much as I love Robert Smith, there's no question that John McGeoch was the best guitarist the Banshees ever had. His guitar lines are iconic. This band was so hugely influential — to post punk, to goth, to women in rock, to fashion, and to my favorite band, The Cure. If I had to say one negative thing about this album it's that the lyrics to Arabian Knights are pretty racist through a modern lens (to be fair, so is the band's name). There's a way to criticize misogyny in the Middle East without equating all the men to baby rapists and goat fuckers. But, I imagine for a woman who wore a Nazi armband ironically, being abrasive is the point. And (to my knowledge), Siouxsie hasn't gone off the xenophobic deep end in recent years like her idol Johnny Lydon, so she's got that going for her, I guess. 5/5

spooky type beats

I like the band's dark, gothic sound and their energy. I love me some good controlled chaos. I find this is another instance where the singer's voice gets pretty exhausting after a while, but I still enjoyed the album for the most part.

I like the vocals. And the backing guitars. I like how Spotify didn't know what was going on lol. I should've found the full version but ended up just listening to the 20 min Spotify version. Though I liked what I heard, maybe I'll seek it out. Top songs: Spellbound Monitor

I don't like Souxsie's vocal delivery, it grates after a while. It's not really 'singing', it's more a sort of controlled shouting. Some tracks are very good, but I can't stand to listen to a whole album.

Perfect for a morning run

This was great!

Post-punk, dark wave. Ni fu ni fa.

Bien. Oscuro, con cantante femenina. Pero no me llega a encantar.

Always a good listen. Brings back memories

I listened to it, and enjoyed it, but forgot to write my review. Finally getting to reviewing it a week later, and I remember it generally, but couldn’t tell you a single thing about it. I’ll maybe come back to it, but it didn’t land as memorable on first listen.

Five songs in 20 minutes, and one is a remix. Painfully short record from this excellent band.

A haunting, more Halloween-esque take on post-punk, which may seem like an obvious connection to some, but boy does this album go the extra mile to make it feel like Halloween night. You've got the upbeat costume party songs, the haunted house tracks, and you've got songs that just genuinely make you tense up, like walking home alone at night. However, the album isn't droning, instead still having those energetic drum and bass (not the genre) pick-ups to get you still grooving despite the unease, and Siouxie Sioux's vocals are just unique, especially since having a female vocalist is oddly rare in the genre, at least when discussing the big players, so for her to stand toe-to-toe with the best of them is not only impressive, it's a critical achievement. Pull it all together with tight songwriting, and a relatively quick album, and it's not hard to see why they're considered one of the heavy hitters of the genre. Spooky yet catchy is starting to become one of my favorite things an album can be, and this is a subtle yet impactful banger. Now please put it back on streaming!

Not my cup of tea

Solid 3

3.5 I didnt care for Siouxsie but thought the banshees were really good. Apparently, this list has hard-on for the group. We will see what the other entries bring

Indie rock with a Middle Eastern twist? Only four unique songs with a fifth 12” version of the opening track which switches it up halfway through. Cool little album. I liked the sound of the singer. She has a nice inflection. All of the songs were good, nothing overstays its welcome either. At some points there were really interesting instrumentals. Standouts: Spellbound, Arabian Knights, and Monitor.

My first time listening to these guys. I like the spooky stuff.

Fun little album.

Non conoscevo questo gruppo, ma ne sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa! L’album mi ha fatto venir voglia di approfondire il genere. Per me, 4.5/5.

Oscuro, ipnotico, molto bello

Enjoyed that. Spellbound is a top tune

A favorite around Halloween

Ik merkte bij een eerder album al op dat ik niet echt van haar stem kan genieten en ook hier is dat weer een beetje het geval. De manier waarop haar stem gedoubletracked is vind ik vervelend. Ik vind het zeker geen verschrikkelijke muziek (The Cure met een goth variant van Blondie) en haar stem is ook niet verschrikkelijk, gewoon minder fijn. Ik heb inmiddels 6 tracks gehad en ze heeft nog niet gekeft, daar ben ik wel #dankbaar voor. Al met al geen super indrukwekkend album. Iets fijner om te luisteren dan de eerste die ik had. Toch hadden ze er van mij niet 2x in hoeven te staan. Ik geef weer een milde 3.

Siouxsie And The Banshees’ Juju is the start of my possible cure to hating punk Albums. Compared to its punk peers, Juju has more authentic energy and sound to it. My favorites are Halloween, HeadCut, and Voodoo Dolly. On especially Head Cut, the way the vocals sound against the mind-warping background instrumentals is really cool and fun to listen to. And on Halloween, her vocals just sound awesome along with the track. I am actually kind of disappointed that this album isn’t on Apple Music in USA. All in all, Juju is a good album. Best Song: Head Cut Worst Song: Night Shift

I tend not to enjoy female vocals and Siouxsie and the Banshees never really clicked with me. Apart from this album of course, which I already know well and love enough to give a 5 star rating straight out of the gates. There's nothing to fault here, the guitars and drums are incredible and the vocals fit the music well. Spellbound is a fantastic track and Arabian Nights is another of my favourites. Having both near the start of the album kicks everything off so well.

Damn goths Just kidding, it's a nice post-punk album. Good vibes.

Very nice, very very nice

3/5. I liked what I heard, but the whole album wasn't on Spotify.

Steady

Meh

Spellbound is such a wonderful song, shines out in an overall good album, but that is the star.

Well it’s definitely post-punk. I was gonna give this a 3 until I realized it took like five tries for me to drag myself through this album.

Some classics in here like Spellbound and an album that launched a number of careers. Fabulous guitar work by John McGeoch (Magazine).

Punk rock vibes, didn't have the patience to listen to everything. Not my cup of tea but was vibing to a lot.

Pretty good but still off-putting at times

Started out with grungey sound that I was enjoying then lost me towards the end with what sounds like exhaustion by the end of it

Driving bass lines? Check. Songs about Halloween and Witchcraft? Check. Annoying noises in the song mix? Check. Yeah, it's Goth time.

This is about as solid as you can get. Into the Light, Halloween, and Sin In My Heart we're my favorites, but there's not a single skip on this album. I wish I could listen to it on Spotify instead of YouTube, but we can't have them all. I'm hemming and hawing between a 4 and 5. I think this is the definition of a 4.5. There's a bit missing to bring it up to a 5 for me. The band is great, but I don't hear their sound spilling into future bands they way I do with massively influential artists and I don't think I love them enough to make it part of my regular rotation. In the interest of not having my top rated albums overly full this is getting a four, but I don't feel great about it.

As an old goth I am contractually obliged to give this 5 stars

Artsy and experimental laying down the blueprint for Ne Wave. Scattered at times with little structure to support the sound but still bold

This was fun! Great guitar and vocals, good vibes all around. Not a single point that I felt like skipping, although I can’t say any single song jumped out at me

This was all new to me. I really enjoyed the sound of this album. Into the Light, Night Shift and Monitor were some favorites. The tracks have a dream like quality, and would fit right into a David Lynch film. Head Cut was my least favorite track.

Great goth grooves

Fabulous

Listen to her voice. This is quintessential 80s punk/Goth music. The guitar sound, the bass fills and the drum beat all work perfectly to bring you to another place.

Not good really. I enjoyed a little bit but that's about it.

Spellbound is such a great opening track. Love her voice, the performances, the tone. Album was well structured and well paced and consistently intense.

Pretty good! I wish they would’ve gone a little bit more experimental with some of the instrumental, but I really loved the overall vibe.

3.5

no notes. a pinnacle of the genre. where my clove cigs at

Probably not fair this came after disintegration on my list but still didn't do anything for me

Starts strong, reminiscent of shoegaze, near the end of the album it feels repetitive. The vocals remind me of Joan jett esque inspo.

Bit boring

Really cool album, especially enjoyed the guitar playing style Though the first few tracks were particularly strong and maybe fell off a bit in the second half but a really good listen

68/100

Nichts besonderes.

Hearing Arabian Knights again felt like a visit from an old friend. The crisp hi-hat and heartbeat bass drum have an analog trance music feel and Siouxsie's voice has that flat auto-tune quality to it... but before that tech even exited! I think this album could be a rave hit today.

I'd known the singles it was nice to finally hear the rest of the album. I quite enjoyed it

I need to listen to this more because it's right up my alley, dark gothic post-punky stuff. Didn't pick out any weak songs while i was listening, and those basslines were going hard.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Exactly what i expected really

Just didn't hit right with me on many levels.

Be still, my little goth heart. This album is fantastic

Good album, never listen to it before but am a fan now.

What an excellent album this is. Everything thing about it just screams "tight." This was a new discovery for me when I heard it my non-group account, and it fits perfectly into that punk-adjacent sound that I crave. Favorite track: Sin in my Heart

Overall I enjoyed the vibes of this album even though I don't usually listen to this genre. Nothing really stood out to me but they were all enjoyable except voodoo doll which is mega bad. 3/5

This album would've been an easy 4 without Voodoo Dolly. unfortunately the last song has a large impact on my rating because obviously i hear it last and it just made me think "what the fuck is going on" the whole time. most of the songs were good, i quite enjoyed them at the start. i found the use of bass drum unique and refreshing up until i heard Voodoo Dolly. and then i got tired of it very quickly. overall 3/5, would've been much more enjoyable for me without voodoo dolly but still a pretty good album

Was only familiar with a few of Siouxsie and the Banshees songs before listening to this album, so it was nice to listen to more of their music. To be honest I kind of zoned out during the second half of the album, and didn't really connect with those songs, except for maybe Night Shift and Sin In My Heart. However, I really liked Spellbound, Arabian Knights, Halloween, Into The Light, and Fireworks. Nothing was able to top Happy House though, which is my all time favourite song of theirs. Overall, I think this band does a great job of creating their own unique and recognizable sound while still making it sound good and actually listenable. Other artists could take notes. 4, a little over half the album was pretty great but the rest didn't quite resonate with me

I listened to as much as I could stand. You couldn’t tell when one song ended and the next began (except for the pause). Five or six songs in it changed tempo, but still sounded the same….bad. It’s all the same and that’s not a good thing - this is terrible music. Hope I never hear another song by them.

Not really for me this to be honest. It’s not bad, but it’s not good either. Totally nonplussed by it.

I imagine if I were goth I'd be INCREDIBLY into this. But since I'm only someone who appreciates the style and am not so much a participant, it's some pretty fine juju.

Certainly an important milestone in 80s post punk, but it's mostly just decent all around.

That’s a fucking great 4, wow. It’d be a 5 if we had gotten this around Halloween instead of March, and it could totally still be a 5 the more I listen to it. There is absolutely no way you could have convinced me this album was from 1981, because from top to bottom, it feels at least a decade ahead of its time in terms of production and its general sound. The guitar work is absolutely on fucking fire here, no matter which song or which style, and the same goes for the percussion. The only reason I can’t really give this a 5 on the first go-around is that there are a few points where the lyrics felt a bit too silly for the tone of the song, and a few points where there was a sort of emptiness carried by the instrumentation that took me out of it. Regardless, it’s at least a 4, and a great album for 1981.

I have not heard this album before but I do know of the band. I’ve been wanting to listen to them as I thought they would be my style and this album confirmed that. My favorite on the album was Spellbound. I will definitely listen again!

Bit shouty

With a punk sensibility she made really interesting rock and roll. Solid.

One of my favorite things about this project so far is realizing the year some of these albums came out. For some reason I have trouble picturing this as early-80's and it must have sounded groundbreaking, for sure. Liked it overall

Would give another listen

No

I feel like a lot of these songs are missing something, like I kinda wish that the beats hit a little harder, though I can appreciate it without it, some of the songs feel strangely empty or dissatisfying. I like a decent bit of goth, but I don't think this scratches that itch for me. Voodoo Dolly was a stinker, But I really vibed with Spellbound and Arabian Knights in particular

well... it was alright but nothing really happened throughout the whole album, it was more like just music to fill up a whole album. I thought that it was a bit meh

whoa this album was pretty cool. i really enjoyed it. pretty dark sounding, a bit aggressive - but not overly so. i didn't expect to really like this one because i know siouxsie has a tendency to be "goth" and that is not my vibe. but this album was pretty cool. I would definitely love to return to this one in the future!

Not my style. Not amazing lyrics and no gravitas

Pretty good

I've never listened to a Siouxsie record, but I've read a fair amount about their influence on alternative music and contemporary goth culture. And I'd heard "Happy House" before. I was looking forward to getting a bigger picture. I love the drums on the opening track accenting the "throw them down the stairs" lyric. Siouxsie has a great voice for this, charismatic and strong without being bogged down in technical showiness. As a band they have good ears for a hook and a strong sense of mood. I can also hear how many samples have been pulled from this. Siouxsie And The Banshees might be the most sampled goth band. This album is spooky, sexy, atmospheric, catchy, and damn good. Highlights: Spellbound, Arabian Knights, Halloween, Monitor

Amamzing my cousin had this CD when I was a kid and Had no clue who the group was

Punky en female-fronted

I had pretty low expectations since I had never heard of this group and this list can be a bit overkill on old British rock sometimes, but this was really good. It manages to have both a pretty dark sound, while also being highly listenable too. I usually like the moodier rock but can get where it goes off the rails for some people (with like Sonic Youth's "Evol" for instance). This feels like it manages to walk the line nicely between being moody and approachable though. This reminded me of The Cure a good bit, and it turns out Robert Smith both liked this band a lot and also played guitar for them for a few years after this came out. It seems like this band was a lot bigger in the UK than the US, but had quite a bit of influence for a bunch of bands that came later. This isn't quite as strong to me as something like "Disintegration", but it generally was a great listen. The singer has an awesome voice, the pace is pretty good, the guitar is pretty unique sounding at times, generally really strong. Favorite song: Spellbound Other: Into The Light, Arabian Knights, Halloween, Monitor, Night Shift, Sin In My Heart, Head Cut, Voodoo Dolly 2/28/24

Decent album, but nothing too remarkable

This is my first time listening to a Siouxsie Sioux album and I'm surprised it has taken me this long to do so. She's been an influence on so many artists I love. Saying that.. I found this album just fine. Maybe it'll take a few re-listens to fully appreciate but it just didn't do it for me on the first listen.

Un disco que comienza con tanta energía no puede ser malo. Y de esa energía son fundamentales la voz de Siouxsie y las guitarras de John McGeoch, tanto en el principio como durante todo el álbum. Es una banda con muchas capas que genera atmósferas hipnóticas, introspectivas, sin dejar de tener canciones bailables como "Halloween" y "Monitor". En lo personal, me conecta con mi parte más oscura y romántica. Muy bien 10.

Siouxsie has a good vocal but it's the same exact pitch and flow on every song. The same can be said about the basic formatting of each song. Siouxsie gets a loud clashing cymbal laden post-rock mess in the background wherein she continually repeats the title of the song. There are certainly some interesting parts like the usage of a harmonica in a brit-rock band and the exceptionally timed pause before the chorus on Night Shift. Overall I think the album holds up to be run of the mill brit-postpunk. The history and timing of the album release does show as they did bring about new concepts for what songs should be like, but unfortunately I am a listener past her time who already heard a million songs like it so it just doesn't stand out.

Such a great album

Some banger tracks. Guitar felt ahead of its time.

Nothing to really note, I just dig it.

Reminds me of the yeah yeah yeahs but much better. I like most of the songs on here 7/10

I enjoyed this a lot but I also already forgot most of the music. 6/10

I wanted to like it but I kind of just didn’t. There were bits where I thought this is almost good and it would be turn into some of the worst singing and music playing I’ve heard. 4/10

Decent sound, her voice is nice. Thankfully not as melancholy as some of their work, though couple of songs could have ended about three minutes sooner.

Was not expecting them to be this good, but the sounds were spot on and sounded great

Well I had a really low bar for this album since it said it was British post punk and Public Image Ltd. did not give a favorable impression of that, but this passed it. A solid 3 although on another day I might have given it a 4 but I had just finished studying o chem while listening to this so that may contribute to it getting a three. Regardless, it was an interesting listen, the vocals were great the instruments were played quite well and the overall sound was very different which was kind of nice. I don't love the 7 minute song at the end, that just kind of drug on.

overall I enjoyed this album-driving drums, guitar, & her voice is strong. they kept the sound moody, but it didn't get too over the top. couple of the longer numbers could have used some editing, but overall a solid 3.5

Didn't care for it.

Nothing I would play again.

I enjoyed, but probably wouldn't listen again.

kind of interesting, glad it was on the list and worth a listen, but probably not going to listen again.

Pleasantly surprised.

Siouxsie and the Banshees is a band I love but don’t know. That is, I know and love a couple of their songs (including Spellbound), but for whatever reason I haven’t sought them out so my knowledge of them is extremely limited. That’s been a mistake. This album is fantastic (with the exception of Voodoo Dolly).

I had never heard of this artist before. I liked a few of the songs.

These guys are too much, the drummer is crazy good! 3 stars

Okay album. Didn’t find it to be one I was drawn to overly much. Like their sound okay.

I enjoyed this album a lot more than The Scream. Siouxsie’s albums definitely get better over the course of her catalogue, showing the growth and range of her influence. I would say this is really where things start taking off. I’m surprised she shows up twice on this list and I’m curious if we’ll see more of her. Good listen!

I’d give this a 2.5. I don’t like it, but I don’t hate it either. I don’t think there’s anything innovative here, but I could see why people appreciate it in its time.

3.2

Pretty good actually, still going on english rock/punk bands i see

Well, it's similar as with Blur by Blur. You know a song, never had the chance (or simply never thought about) listening to more songs or an album by this band. You expect something you like. And you are let down. Generally the band has some turns, liked the song "Monitor" but did not like anything else on the album.

This was an interesting album. Overall it was unique and interesting but also had very solid singing and the instrumentals were not too ridiculous. I can see how people like this. There were a couple songs that I enjoyed but overall couldn’t find myself listening to it over and over again. Better than expected though. 6.1/10

Spellbound kyl kova

Great album. Very familiar with the band having been into Goth Rock in the 80's. Never have listened to this album from start to finish. Love the hypnotic rhythms and the smoky, dark flavor of Siouxsie's vocals.

I almost wrote this off for sounding so much like famous bands that came later but the reception other people on here gave it caused me to give it a relisten. Most importantly, checking out their music videos, which in this era is an essential part of the package. Now I'm hooked and am telling friends about this band, which is as good as it gets for me.

Dunkles Punk Rock Album mit starken Gothic Elementen die die dunkle und prägnante Stimme von Siouxsie in ihre Song integriert. Die Lieder reihen sich in ein Gesamtwerk ein, was aber teilweise in Extrem dunkle und schräge Elemente abdriftet. „Arabian Knights“ ist ein Grundlagen späterer Wave Klassiker alla Smiths & Cure. Zur Wiederholung geeignet wenn Stimmung Wave ist 😉👍

Easier to listen to, and musically better than others in this genre

Liked it

I like Siouxsie for her difference and having a great sense of attitude. Not exactly my sort of music - not a million miles away though. Spellbound - definitely like this track Arabian Knights - also liked Sin in my heart - kinda liked Voodoo Dolly - "She's such an ugly little dolly and she's making you look very silly" There's enough here to merit a 4:star

I wouldn't listen to this kind of thing regularly but I didn't dislike it.

Not perfect but I did enjoy it!

Juju comes from that point in time when Goth was emerging into the mainstream punk/new wave scene. Which is admittedly weird when I write it. A follow up to Siouxsie And The Banshees' Goth masterpiece, Kaleidoscope, Juju is intense from the opening song, Spellbound, which was a significant club hit in the U.S. The synths are dark, the rhythms jittery, and vocals unnerving. Perfect Goth. Five years later, Siouxsie And The Banshees was about dance music with only a hint of Goth. This album, plus Kaleidoscope, Nocturne, and Hyaena, represent the height of the band's Goth period and first wave Goth in general.

really liked

Yeah I got into this Siouxsie album. Monitor, Arabian Knights those are some catchy grooves.

I'd say this is a nice middle of the road album. No particular wow factor, but pleasant enough to spend an hour with

I gave Susy a try, but no.

Hmmm... Infelizmente não é pra mim.

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Juju I was familiar with Siouxsie but mainly because of her name. I never really listened to her at the time nor later in life. Juju is a good album. The one thing that I gather from reading up on it is that the guitarist, John McGeoch used an unconventional style of guitar playing for this album. It was enjoyable and if you enjoy 80s music, you should give this one a listen. 3/5

Pretty good. Interesting. I’m only familiar with one or two songs from Siouxsie And The Banshees, so this album was new to me. Nothing stood out to me as a five star song on my first listen, but overall the album is strong enough to get four stars from me.

Dang list, keep teeing up the good stuff! I’m not as versed in my Siouxsie Sioux but this hit the spot today. Fun gothy tunes, maybe not as dark as something like Nick Cave, but in contrast a little more dancey, a bit poppier. Good times.

I wanted to like this more, but it was all pretty uninteresting. I enjoyed it at first, but by the end, I was over it. I don’t like the vocals, especially the yelps and growls. The rest of the music just didn’t seem to have the energy to fit that. Either did the rest of the singer’s performance. This got real close to getting a two.

It feels like this would belong to a genre that fits me well, but after listening through the record I can't name any songs that I liked. I wasn't y cup of tea at all somehow. Phaser-like effects on... basically anything, are usually something I am extremely fond of. But here I find it extremely overused on the guitar. I am not sure that I like the singer either, too much wailing and moaning. An interesting thing I found after skimming through it again is that the first few seconds of the opening riffs are usually pretty interesting, but then they loose it for me when everything else is added. Good examples would be 'Night Shift', 'Sin In My Heart', and 'Arabian Knights'. Anyways, didn't like it, it'll have to be a 2 tops.

Really enjoyed the vibe and the singers voice. The beginning of the album was really strong with "Spellbound" and "Into the Light" being really good. If fizzled out towards the latter half but I still thought it was a cool album (and band) I hadn't heard before.

Different

2/5. Almost like Sonic Youth with the female singer. Thus album did not really resonate with me. Just didn’t click.

Siniestra nueva ola pasada de moda. Buena primera canción

Rock, Pop, NewWave, 1981 -> 2

2.5 A little gothy, but I think that’s mostly because of her voice. I enjoyed the beginning of the album but felt it got a little tired at the end. Not the worst thing I’ve heard by far.

A spooky post-punk record, with an immaculate sprinkle of goth. So good!

Pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this. Great drive throughout the album, vocalist very unique. Would listen to again!

Fun album. Very much of the decade.

Okay gothic-punk album. 2/5

I was looking forward to this one. Had a best of compilation for years and like nearly every track, and obviously despite a shambolic start they became very influential very quickly and developed a fair bit over their career. Already knew and liked Arabian Nights and Spellbound from this... not much on here really improved on those. Siouxsie is at least trying to break out of her signature monotone vocal sound here, but it all does sound a bit samey. There are no hidden treasures on this album sadly. Passable.

Regular

Only listened to a bit of this. Just didnt have time this day. I thought it was not bad but was not an instant fan. Will try it again at a later date.

Surprising group! Original and enchanting music. Sadly, the enchantment does not long one entire album.

Epic and upsetting for opening the eighties. You can hear how it has influenced many artists.

Definitely listenable. I tend to think of them as some of the original goth music, and it still fits, in my opinion.

One of my favorites

Never listened to this band before. It's interesting? Some great guitar riffs in this and Siousxie has a great voice. Some of the songs aren't my favorite, but overall I do like this album. Certainly a transition from punk into a more 1980s sound.

Enjoyable but the spell wore off a bit for me towards the end

This was a fun gothic ride

All in all this album was o.k. I can see how it pioneered certain indie esthetics down the road. However, in the grand scheme of things, it seems like this will migrate off of this list as many of the tracks are underwhelming or forgettable. 2/5

A great album one of those that I am glad I am doing this because I would not have listened to it otherwise. I like how aggressive it is.

80s Rock similar to Blondie/Pat Benetar. Not my favorite style.

Blech. Not my cup of tea.

I've always felt that I was deeply uncool because I wasn't into Siouxsie and the Banshees. I really should have been because I know how infuential they are and I love other bands like the Cure and psychedelic Furs. This was a fun listen and there were songs like Monitor which had a groove I really liked. I think it's maybe her voice for me which is so extra. I'm giving this 4 stars for their being on the vanguard of the New Wave.

Favorite tracks: Into The Light Monitor Night Shift Sin In my Heart

The only thing I have against this album is why didn’t I listen to it back in the day. Every song is great except that last one, Voodoo Doll (which I’m sure is every Siouxsie goth girl’s all time fave). Fun 80s/90s college alternative album for taking you back to when you wore black fingernail polish and smoked clove cigarettes

Ok.

Pleasantly surprised, great first 5 songs then trails off a bit but only really the last 2 songs I wasn't mad keen on.

Any album that contains one of my favourite tracks of all time,"Spellbound", has to score a 5, but the rest of the album is quite good as well.

Didn't like it much

Souxsie is a recurrent band within my family. However, although enjoying an auditive habit from my part, it could not please my ears. I could not connect with this album and it was difficult to finish. Of course, "Night Shift" was more bearable and even enjoyable. But the rest was just a no to me. Based on personal taste, only, not criticizing the quality of the album. Expected Marc rating: 3

És una llàstima perquè l'àlbum comença súper bé i les primeres cançons m'han agradat molt, però decau de seguida i se m'ha fet molt molt pesat cap al final. Expected Lorenzo Rating: 3

I have fond memories of this band. Got to know it through my sister when I was a teenager. It was fun reliving all the weird feelings their music made me feel. I'd give it a 4 because of nostalgia, but honestly, this hasn't aged as well as some other bands my sister introduced me too (eg. The Cure, The Pixies). It feels like an unending bizarre soundscape.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. WIsh I had discovered this 20 years ago. Amazing, glorious. Instant save beforen the first song was done.

Meh 1/5

She is summoning spirits from another plane. My first listen to Siouxsie and it's a good one. Very intriguing melodies, fully leaning into the goth vibe with this album. Just a very tight unit with everyone contributing to make a great sound, but Siouxsie's singing puts it over the top. This music just wasn't on my radar as I somehow didn't catch this stuff in the early days of MTV, but I was just 10 at that point. Musically my closest frame of reference from that period would be Spandau Ballet with their first 2 albums (Journeys to Glory and Diamond), which I could see fitting on the fringe end of this sound, but having that more New Romantic sound. It all sounds good but along with Spellbound and Arabian Knights, Into the Light was my favorite.

⭐️⭐️very Florence & the Machine with a goth vibe. It was ok

Joyjoy

This is another example of how I was missing from the music scene during the '90s because I've never listened to any of this bands albums in their entirety before this one here today. I'm familiar with their pop hits and have probably seen a video on MTV but it's actually close to a sound that I like. Probably closer than some of the other more recent reviews like GARBAGE. I like the early efforts of developing this goth rock sound that they were involved in so I'm happy I got to hear this but will I add it to a regular playlist? Possibly!

I only knew Spellbound before listening to this album, and the rest is pretty much what I expected. Some strong tracks but nothing hits the heady heights of the first track, unfortunately

Grand

I really enjoyed this. Being a British child in the 80s I knew of the band, but had never heard anything that I remembered by them. This album though, from note one, was just really good. Really, really good. Monitor especially stood out for me, but it also showed the tendency that this album has that makes it 4 not 5 stars - that song could live with being a minute shorter, and it's not the only one. Voodoo Dolly especially did nothing for me, and it did it for over seven minutes. It's not enough for me to not like the album, but it's enough to knock it down a point. It's staying downloaded in my Spotify library, and that says a lot.

Solid one

Punchy, interesting, easy to listen to--a familiar sound on the first listen, but distinct & engaging.

ALright album First song banger

Really cool to hear some female fronted punk. Haven't heard them before but it was neat learning about how foundational they were to post-punk. Not something I'd probably put on myself, but I enjoyed it although it definitely sounds like the 80s.

I wanted to like this. I just aint about female singers for the most part. She is talented for sure, but I just don't vibe with the higher register

I like this, it feels raw and energetic.

Nice energy!