Hai!

The Creatures - Siouxsie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sioux Records/Instinct Records
• ASIN: B0000E1W20
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,963 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Godzilla., November 21, 2003

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hai! (Audio CD)

In looking over the other reviews posted here I see mixed opinions. Well, "Hai!" is technically competent. Budgie and Eto certainly prove they are exceptional drummers, and if drumming is what you are seeking, then look no further. I agree with the reviewers who say "Hai!" is a return to form. It reminds me more of 1989's "Boomerang" rather than 1983's "Feast". However, the songs on "Hai!" are longer, less diverse than "Boomerang". This could be interpreted as better or worse. I find it to be somewhere in the middle. I happened to like 1999's departure "Anima Animus" with its electronic influences, so "Hai!" certainly came as another curve ball. The only problem with "Hai!" is that it's not diverse in sound (which other reviewers have termed cohesive and consistent, once again a question of preference, and for me I prefer more diversity). On the upside, "Hai!" has great drumming, Siouxsie's typical transcendental vocals and lyrics and invloving rhythms. In the end, "Hai!" sits right in centerfield between "Feast" and "Boomerang" and "Anima Animus". This cd does get better with each listen, but I don't think it overshadows The Creatures previous works.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The auditory equivalent of being snow blind, March 15, 2005

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hai! (Audio CD)

This exploration of Japanese themed music on "Hai!" strikes many interesting chords with the powerful drumming that energizes and defines the songs, the chants and shouts, cultural touchstones (e.g., Godzilla, City Island, Tantara). Collaborators Siouxsie Sioux and Budgie manage to harness enough energy for a good ride, but after a couple of listens, the territory appears the same and the result is the auditory equivalent of being snow blind. That is, the songs tend to blend together, melded by the wonderful drumming, and they inhabit a middle space without any soaring moments or any dreadful stumbles save the second half of the final song.

This consistency on "Hai!" yields a CD that is one the one hand unified and level but on the other a bit numbing for listening straight through. I think these tracks works better fragmented and scattered among other music (e.g., compilation, noncommercial radio, DJ) than as a block.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More visceral thrills from Siouxsie and Budgie, January 6, 2004

By 

Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hai! (Audio CD)

Working in collaboration with Leonard Eto, a remarkable Japanese drummer, this is one of Siouxsie and Budgie's best releases since "Boomerang." The addition of Eto is a natural fit, both with Budgie's throbbing percussion and Siouxsie's ethereal voice. My favorite tracks so far are "Godzilla" (clearly a hit), "Imagoro" (ditto) and the opening percussion-filled "Say Yes" which has Budgie and Eto hammering away gloriously for a few minutes before Siouxsie finally enters, to dramatic effect.

Naysayers may think some of the tracks sound too much alike, and they wouldn't be completely wrong. (I'm not among them.) If this project might be "too much of too little" for some, most Creatures fans will delight in the chemistry between these three outstanding musicians. Sound quality is excellent, with the percussion sounding very "present" but not boomy, and other effects swirling around in great electronic clouds.

I hope these three decide to tour with this so we can hear these tracks live. This recording definitely seems like a new artistic direction for the duo, and more power to them. Meanwhile, crank up your sound system and enjoy.