Up on The Chopping Block is the band Siousxie And The Banshees. They’ve been a band that I’ve been curious about so let’s take a look………
The Scream- This is definitely one of those albums that is important for bands like Velvet Underground. And you most definitely hear this album’s influence on so many other bands. Everything from the guitar parts to the drum work and to Siousxie’s vocals It’s such a perfect example of postpunk that I have no choice but to give this album 10/10
Standouts: Carcass, Mirage, Hester Skelter
Join Hands- there’s almost a certain kind of darkness to this record and one that I was not really expecting. I wouldn’t exactly call the last album a happy album but this one just feels darker and tone and a lot of of the subject matter has to do with The First World War. According to the band, they would see images of war and warfare on television and how ugly it is and so they used World War I as the main subject matter for this record. The album does reference poppies which represents things like loss of flesh blood, and hopelessness. A very interesting record and a great follow up which means I’m going to be giving it 9/10.
Standouts: Poppy Day, Playground Twist, Icon
Kaleidoscope- musically this album sounds weirder than the last two records. This is the first time that they use things like synthesizers and drum machines but to be honest this album came out in 1980 and this is kind of what I would expect from a band like this to sound like in the early 80s. It’s an interesting sounding record to say the least and again I can see how it would inspire/influence other bands. I’m giving this one 9/10.
Standouts: Tenant, Christine, Skin
Juju- if you were to ask me what the quintessential album is for this band I would probably say give this one a listen. This album just has a more guitar driven sound while maintaining that post punk sound. I also find that this album has quite a few Goth elements as well so there makes it more of a post punk meets Goth album and it’s done really really well. I’m giving this album 10/10.
Standouts: Monitor, Head Cut, Arabian Knights
A Kiss In The Dreamhouse- I suppose every band like this at some point has to do an experimental record. Well, this is definitely a bit different. Here they experiment with things like tubular bells, chimes, recorders, and vocal overdubs. I would also say that while it is an experimental record, it’s also a very psychedelic sounding one as well. Either way, however we want to look at it. It’s a very unique and interesting record and I’m going to give it 8/10.
Standouts: Cascade, Circle, Melt
Hyaena- so here’s a fun fact about this album……Robert Smith of The Cure helped compose this and you can definitely hear his influence all over this record. This record is almost as if The Cure meets The Banshees and it works extremely well. It’s definitely poppy, a little jazzy, and definitely has that Cure touch. Overall, it’s a very unique fun and interesting record and I’m gonna go ahead and give it 8.5/10.
Standouts: We Hunger, Take Me Back, Running Town
Tinderbox- music wise it’s nothing experimental or complicated and it just feels like a straightforward rock record. Lyrically it deals with subject matter such as natural disasters and panic. Overall it’s just an OK record but still worth a listen and I’ll give it 8/10.
Standouts: Candyman, Party’s Fall, Lands End
Through The Looking Glass- of course there are bands that have to have the obligatory covers album and well that’s this album. Like most covers albums it’s nothing that special but if you’ve always wanted to hear how this band would sound plain songs by The Doors or Iggy Pop then you might actually enjoy this album. I’ll give it 7/10.
Standouts: You’re Lost Little Girl, Gun, Sea Breezes
Peepshow- the best we can probably describe this record is weird. Musically it is all over the place, but in a good way and honestly, I wasn’t exactly sure what to make of it when I first heard it. It does seem like they’re trying to go for another experimental type record but overall it’s just a really fun record and I’m gonna give it 8/10.
Standouts: The Killing Jar, Turn To Stone, Rhapsody
Superstition- I don’t wanna say this one is phoned in, but at the end of the day, it’s sort of forgettable. I don’t think this is a bad record, but of all the records I’ve heard from this band so far this one probably isn’t as strong as the others, but it is interesting to hear how they sound in the early 90s with this one. The songs just kind of tend to drag on, and it just makes for somewhat of a boring album. Another thing that I found was this record sounds a bit dated. Overall, it’s just OK and I’m giving it 7/10.
Standouts: Little Sister, Softly, Cry
The Rapture- one thing I like about this record versus the last record is the song seem more upbeat. At times I feel like this picks up where the last album left off but it’s definitely a step up and it really is too bad that this is their final record. There is a good amount things like cellos, violins, sweeping strings, and overall it’s a very unique and interesting record. I can’t really think of very many bands whose final record is this interesting. I’m going to give this 8/10.
Standouts: O Baby, Tearing Apart, Not Forgotten
This has always been a band that I’ve been curious about and I’m really glad I checked them out because they have some great albums. I think it would be cool if they did some sort of reunion, but at this point, I don’t really see that happening. Still though we have all these great albums to listen to, and if they ever do decide to get back together and play shows, I would definitely be interested in checking them out. I can definitely see how a lot of bands would be influenced by them because you can definitely hear it.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Juju
- The Scream
- Kaleidoscope
- Join Hands
- Hyaena
- Peepshow
- Tinderbox
- A Kiss In The Dreamhouse
- The Rapture
- Superstition
- Through The Looking Glass
Sinister Reviews 