Review Summary: I heard a rumor
Driving eight hours leaves a lot of time open to listen to potential new favorites, or revisit old classics. This review regards the later of the two. While driving down a desolate interstate and jamming
Juju, a simple thought occurred. I wonder if Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin realized when they met at a Roxy Music concert in September 1975, that those two would be part of arguably, one of the most influential Post-punk bands of all time. This reviewer believes that
Siouxsie and the banshees achieved just that.
Siouxsie and the banshees Juju line-up
Siouxsie Sioux –
vocals, guitar on "Sin in My Heart"
Steven Severin–
bass guitar
Budgie –
drums, percussion
John McGeoch –
guitar
Juju is a slightly darker departure from their earlier material, and their previous effort
Kaleidoscope. While still keeping to the post-punk feel and sound, Juju seems to be slowed down during some parts to help create the dark atmosphere the album radiates. This slightly slowed pace and toned down sound works well in Siouxsie and the Banshee's favor, as it keeps a consistent and dark tone throughout the album. It all seems as if the band knew the exact sound they wanted and crafted it nearly to perfection during recording and production.
The album's opener,
Spellbound gives a fast pace for the start of the album, the chugging bass and guitar help excite the listener for this album, while other tracks such as
Head Cut and
Into the light Continue a fast pace, while tracks such as
Monitor, Arabian Nights and
Nightshift take the slowed down pace. None of the songs feel out of place on another note. It seems to be a good change of pace to go from a slower track to a more upbeat track to help keep the interest of the listener.
Siouxsie Sioux, and it is known that is not her real name, is the centerpiece of this album. Her haunting vocals and the tone of voice projected really is what makes the tone on this album work so well. The closing track,
Voodoo Dolly Showcases her in one of the best vocal pieces on the album. Nearly every track on here shows Siouxsie having moments of brilliance. Not to take anything away from the other members, as they all add in to the success of Juju, There is, and always has been something amazing about Siouxsie's voice. If there is one thing that could be pointed out , one or two tracks seemed a little repetitive.
Night shift, for example, seems to drag on a little longer than it should.
Voodoo dolly can also be slightly long. It is a fascinating that to this reviewer, however, it could be seen as too long by another.
Over all this album remains a classic of post-punk music. I heard a rumor as to how good this album was, and the rumor was true. Siouxsie really put effort into
Juju, and all of that shows by the finished product. If the listener or listeners want to great older post-punk rock to jam to, this is a solid pick.
Recommended Tracks
Spellbound
Arabian Knights
Voodoo Dolly
Sin in my Heart
