Siouxsie & The Banshees Kaleidoscope CD

Siouxsie & The Banshees: Siouxsie Sioux (vocals, guitar, percussion); Steve Severin (guitar, electric sitar, synthesizer, bass); Budgie (bass, drums).
Additional personnel: John McGeoch (acoustic & electric guitars, saxophone, Farfisa); Steve Jones (guitar).
Recorded between January to May 1980.
Personnel: Steven Severin (vocals, guitar, sitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Siouxsie Sioux (vocals, acoustic guitar, melodica, cymbals); Sioux (vocals, acoustic guitar, melodica, finger cymbals, sound effects); Sevenin (vocals, electric guitar, sitar, piano, synthesizer); Budgie (vocals, harmonica, drums); Sirens (vocals, background vocals); John McGeoch (guitar, 12-string guitar, sitar, saxophone, organ, synthesizer); Steve Jones (guitar).
Recording information: Coach House (01/1980-05/1980); Polydor (01/1980-05/1980); Surreu Sound (01/1980-05/1980); Surrey Sound (01/1980-05/1980); The Coach House (01/1980-05/1980).
Photographer: Joe Lyons.
Unknown Contributor Role: Sioux.
After Join Hands, guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris departed the Banshees, leaving the band at a crossroads. Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin elected to soldier on with ex-Slits drummer Budgie and two guitarists, ex-Sex Pistol Steve Jones and John McGeoch of Magazine as guest Banshees. Despite the personnel upheaval, the result is a surprisingly strong record: Kaleidoscope. While a number of the songs here are still dark-hued and feature bleak lyrics, they are made very palatable by extraordinarily imaginative production values featuring intricate synthesizer-flecked arrangements; psychedelic touches in "Christine," spaceship synthesizer swoops in "Tenant," and rhythmic camera clicks in "Red Light" all enliven their respective songs. Sound quality here is lighter and much clearer than on previous releases. Sioux's singing shows noticeable improvement here, still tuneless at times but also exhibiting more range and subtlety than previously. The song "Hybrid," a Joy Division-style number, shows her vocals running the gamut from primitive to inspired. Other highlights include the galloping, vibrant up-tempo number "Skin," the spooky and atmospheric "Lunar Camel," the medium-tempo rocker "Trophy," and the punky vocalise "Clockface." Kaleidoscope was a make-or-break album for Siouxsie and the Banshees, and happily the band came through strongly. ~ David Cleary
Siouxsie And The Banshees did well for themselves in poaching John McGeoch from Magazine; his punchy guitar work gives KALEIDOSCOPE its shimmer and sparkle (ex-Sex Pistol Steve Jones also contributes guitar to some tracks). Particular classics featured here include the U.K. Top 10 hit "Happy House," and the moody and atmospheric synth-based "Red Light."
KALEIDOSCOPE is considered the band's best by most fans; the most compelling track is the pro-animal rights/anti-fur and leather anthem "Skin." The album also introduces the redoubtable drummer (and Siouxsie's future husband) Budgie, who stabilized the group for the duration of its career and later went on to form the Creatures with Siouxsie after the Banshees' demise. KALEIDOSCOPE is a must-have for fans and an excellent introduction for newbies.Q (p.124) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "'Happy House', ode to schizophrenia 'Christine' and bonus track 'Israel' remain prime examples of their superior art pop."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's the minimalist electro daubs of 'Tenant' and 'Red Light' that best withstand posterity's gaze."