Kaleidoscope

by Siouxsie and the Banshees

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	10/01/2021
Label:	Universal
UPC:	4988031444214
Rank:	25926

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Siouxsie and the Banshees   Primary Artist
Siouxsie Sioux   Cymbals,Melodica,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals
Sioux   Droma,Vocals,Melodica,Sound Effects,Finger Cymbals,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
Steven Severin   Bass,Piano,Sitar,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Steve Jones   Guitar
John McGeoch   Organ,Sitar,Guitar,Saxophone,Synthesizer,Guitar (12 String)
Sirens   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sevenin   Bass,Piano,Sitar,Vocals,Rhythm Box,Synthesizer,Guitar (Electric)
Budgie   Bass,Drums,Vocals,Harmonica

Technical Credits

Siouxsie Sioux   Producer,Composer
Siouxsie and the Banshees   Producer
John McGeogh   Composer
Nigel Gray   Producer
Steven Severin   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
John McGeoch   Composer
Rob O'Connor   Art Direction
Joe Lyons   Photography
Carlos Ohlms   Engineer
Budgie   Composer