SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES – Spellbound: The Collection (2015)

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Fronted by the enigmatic Siouxsie Sioux, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES was one of the most innovative bands of the British post-punk movement pretty much defining the sound of ’80s rock & pop / new wave music.
“Spellbound: The Collection” is a new compilation from Siouxsie and the Banshees, of which there has been quite a few. But unlike previous compilations which concentrated on either singles, B sides, or radio and chart hits, this collection is a surprisingly good cross-section of select singles, deep album cuts, and a couple of B sides in what’s being deemed as an ‘Introduction’ to Siouxsie and the Banshees.

There isn’t really anything rare on Spellbound – The Collection, though buyers will get the excellent and interesting alternate version of ‘Hong Kong Garden’. Rather than opening with the trademark xylophone, this version opens with a brilliant string arrangement before switching back to the original version right at the start of the lyrics. I would love to hear the whole song done with strings.
‘Mirage’ is by far the catchy highlight of the Banshees’ highly overrated debut album The Scream. ‘Placebo Effect’ is an adequate example of the sound in UK from their lackluster 2nd album Join Hands.
End of Banshees chapter 1.

In 1980, drummer Budgie and John McGeoch (guitar) joined the band and the Banshees hit a commercial peak with their album Kaleidoscope, though the hit single ‘Happy House’ has never been a favorite of mine. Thankfully, they didn’t rehash ‘Christine’ this time and we get the far superior ‘Desert Kisses’.

In 1981, the Banshees released the ultimate Goth (yes, I said it, because it’s true) album JuJu, which remains many fans’ favorite band album. ‘Spellbound’ is such a spectacular single that really laid out the band’s talent at time, thanks in no small part to the late John McGeoch and Budgie. A driving, pounding beat with an amazing acoustic guitar and Siouxsie’s brilliant singing makes you just want to run through a field singing along.
But the magic doesn’t end there because ‘Into the Light’ is one of my top 5 favorite Banshees songs. The stop/start drumming, the crying guitar, the soaring vocals is enough to bring a tear to my eye.
‘Cascade’ is a good representative track from A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, and had more single potential than either of the 2 released from the album. Rather than rehashing their bland 1983 hit cover of ‘Dear Prudence’, they opted to include its B side ‘Tattoo’. While so many Banshees fans adore this dark, sinister song, I think it’s just OK.
‘We Hunger’ is a disturbing nightmare (in the best possible way), and a solid representation of the underappreciated ’84 album Hyaena.

‘Cities In Dust’ is probably the most popular Siouxsie and the Banshees song ever, charting high on many countries. ‘Land’s End’ is another very good cut from the same album, Tinderbox (1986), by far the the more commercial album from the band.
Another brilliant choice is the 1987 B-side ‘Shooting Sun’. The melody in this is just chill-inducingly good. This is another in my top 5 list of best Banshees tracks.
Also pretty mainstream are ‘Peek-A-Boo’ and the melodic pop of ‘Turn to Stone’ from 1988’s Peepshow. Adding a little more casual consumer encouragement, their biggest single in the U.S. ‘Kiss Them For Me’ is represented, though thankfully one of 1991’s Superstition’s best songs ‘Drifter’ is here as well, with it’s dark, foggy opening to its haunting ending.
The lone representation from 1995’s The Rapture is the appropriately titled ‘Not Forgotten’, because I can’t imagine a band with such a vast, diverse, yet distinctive catalog will ever be forgotten.

The CD was entirely remastered by Kevin Metcalfe, overseen by Siouxsie and bass player Steven Severin, which includes the booklet and a nice abbreviated history.
Both stated this collection was aimed at casual shoppers, and I think this is a very impressive budget priced collection that will hopefully open the eyes of your average consumer on the brilliance that this band had to offer.
Very Recommended.

01 – Hong Kong Garden (New Strings Intro)
02 – Mirage
03 – Placebo Effect
04 – Happy House
05 – Desert Kisses
06 – Spellbound
07 – Into the Light
08 – Cascade
09 – Tattoo
10 – We Hunger
11 – Cities in Dust (Single Version)
12 – Lands End
13 – Shooting Sun
14 – Peek-A-Boo
15 – Turn to Stone
16 – Kiss Them for Me (Album Version)
17 – Drifter
18 – Not Forgotten

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Spellbound-The-Collection-Siouxsie-Banshees/dp/B00PL0LQK2
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