Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Siouxsie & The Banshees - juju (1981)




Here the Banshees find the middle point between the litany and the epileptic fit. "Spellbound", "Into the Light" and "Arabian Nights" have an airy psychedelic vibe, while "Halloween", "Monitor", "Sin In My Heart" and "Head Cut" are feverish voodoo ceremonies, augmented by excellent guitar and percussive work, as well as Siouxsie's vocal acrobatics. Between these two approaches, "Night Shift" and "Voodoo Dolly" combine the nocturnal, subliminal threat, with the spasms of the exorcism. You could say that this a refinement of the Join Hands program, but this line-up is more convincing in it's execution. Get it here.

5 comments:

Roger Camden said...

This is their 'great album'

Jim Slip said...

I tend to consider "The Scream", "Juju" and "A Kiss in the Dreamhouse" as equals.

The Disappeared said...

This album represents the pinnacle of John McGeoch's guitar work for the Banshees.
When Juju was released, *he* was the sound of the Banshees.
I can't tell you how said I was when I heard about his death.

drriquet said...

And also Hyaena and Kaleidoscope are very original !!

Jim Slip said...

@the

I agree, their best period was the John McGeoch years.

@driquet

I like "Kaleidoscope", though I don't think it's as good as "Juju", "Kiss In The Dreamhouse" or "The Scream". "Hyena" introduces their later, more pop-orientated period, though it's got some top tracks.