Customer Reviews

Juju

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am hesitant to describe this album as the ultimate goth experience for two reasons: 1) there are many other albums that can also lay similar claims and 2) it's too unique to be considered just a part of the herd. That said, "Juju" is indeed an extremely dark album, and for numerous reasons. The angry punk vibe of the first two albums, while not gone, has been slowed down. John McGeoch's (RIP) guitar sound is just plain spooky and reverby, and probably contributes to the foreboding mood more than anything else. Budgie's drums are tribal, Severin's bass lines are snaky and ominous, and Siouxsie's vocals are, well, Siouxsie-ish. Only "Into The Light" can be described as even remotely light-hearted, which ironically makes it seem sinister, hanging out as it does with such sordid company. "Arabian Knights" conjures images of "conquering orifices of goats and boys and things", "Head Cut" finds Siouxsie wanting to take a decapitated head back to the flat for some Barbie Doll fun, and "Sin In My Heart" is a punk crescendo classic that exudes way more mood than the slight lyrical content. "Spellbound" is probably the best known song off this album, but "Night Shift" is perhaps the most notorious, with its creeping nocturnal motion and spooky lyrics that, to me at least, call up the shades of Rippin' Jack and mortuary whores. "Voodoo Dolly" treats the listener to an evil seven minute walk into black magic and/or psychic vampirism, "Halloween" is a straight-ahead punker a la "The Scream", and "Monitor" is a punchy mid-tempo tune that threatens us with the "Real McCoy", amidst a deluge of totalitarian images. Basically, this album is a delightful fright-fest, vague enough to let one's mind wander but quite serious in its purpose. The Banshees would never come close to this sound again, and I once read that they deliberately moved away from it for the following albums, sensing themselves that they had created some not altogether healthy.

Originally released in 1981,this was the band's fourth album.'Juju' is one of the groups's vintage masterpieces.Plenty of scorching guitar,tribal drum work,indepth lyrics and superbly written songs make this disc worthy of owning a copy.Tunes that most certainly pull you in are "Spellbound"(I still get chills running up my back when I see this video on VH1 Classic),"Arabian Knights","Nightshift" and "Voodoo Dolly".It's clear that at least some of their influences were from the Doors and the Stooges.A true alternative classic.

This album is known as one of the classic goth albums but I think that is way too narrow a description. The disc opens with the classic "Spellbound". With it's furious acoustic guitars and Budgie's legendary percussion it's truly one of a kind. "Into The Light" gives us one of Sioux's first personal(?) songs. "Arabian Knights" gives us rich imagery while "Halloween" is a Banshee dance song that we all love. "Monitor" is a song I never quite understood but it has a chemistry that is unique even for the Banshees. "Night Shift" is unparalled in it's satanic majesty. Easilly the most "goth" song in their repertoire. "Sin In My Heart" is reminescent of her punk days and further heightened her dominatrix appeal at the time. "Head Cut" is one of my most favorite songs ever! It's mania quicikly draws you in & you never see a person's face the same again :) "Voodoo Dolly" closes the album perfectly. If you haven't heard this album yet than what are you waiting for!?!

Juju is like one of those weird-looking dolls that new-age parents give to their children these days. The facial features are barely visible so that the child can project his or her own emotions onto it, instead of being emotionally controlled by the usual frozen smile. Thus, while other reviewers call Juju "dark" etc., I find it glorious, gorgeous, something to play alongside Annie, The Sound of Music, and the Grease coundtrack. Siouxsie and the Banshees are usually labelled as goth, but remember kids, goth grew out of punk as a genre within the ginormous world of early 80s new-wave. SATB are simply one of the raddest punk bands of the late 70s and early 80s, and Juju is one of their finest moments. Don't get me wrong: Juju does do in new, "goth" directions (away, for example, from the "classic" punk sound of their first album, the Scream) but it's such an amazing and unique album that I feel the term "goth" is too restrictive. Take it from a 30 year old ex-death rocker: great, weird, beautiful album. This, along with the Scream and Kiss in the Dreamhouse, is among my favorite Siouxsie.

That's all I can say, the best guitarist, the best bassist, the best drummer, and certainly without a doubt the greatest voice music has ever heard. Siouxsie is addictive. I still love music so much and always want to experience new sounds and new bands, but no one will ever be as good as Siouxsie and the Banhsees and this album is one of(A Kiss in the Dreamhouse being a close second), if not their best.
The lyrics are mystical and each song takes you to a different place, a different color, a different exotic or erotic experience. Full of power and perfection-the first time i heard this album I understood what music was supposed to do to you. I became obsessed with Siouxsie and her sound, and til this day I still believe this is the best CD you will ever hear.

This, in my opinion, is Siouxsie's best album. All of her tracks are excellent, and the whole album flows seamlessly. Here she is at her darkest, and most twisted. Here is everything from the wickedly sarcastic "Spellbound" to the searing "Arabian Knights", which somehow manages to be exotic and wondrous while completely ripping its fabled subject matter to shreds, to the classic "Nightshift", which is so good I can't even do it justice, to the psychotic "Head Cut", which scared even me, to "Voodoo Dolly", a masterpiece of terror and subtly created atmosphere. There's a good reason why this is one of the classic goth albums of all time. I'd absolutely recommend it.

I won't attempt to add significantly to the rave reviews here (everything they rave about is true). Let me just say this: if you are new to this band, Juju and Kaleidoscope are must-haves. Masterpieces. Buy both and then email me to tell me how right I am on this.

this album is, to me, different from the rest of the other banshee records. it's raw, dark, catchy, atmospheric and VERY gothic...VERY punk. i love Siouxsie's vocals on here...they're so emotional, sarcastic, bitter, lonely, loveley. this album does alot for being so minimal. to me, it doesn't even sound like it came out in 1981. i love all the tracks, start to finish! it's a complete record to me...perfect! slow songs, fast songs. the music makes for a wonderful environment. i say get this album if you like dark music. punky-gothic! hehehe

A quintessential album that sets the standard by which the whole goth movement is judged on, Juju is essentially a more refined version of The Scream. Eerie, scratching guitar refrains are backed with an intense tribal like rythym section, providing the album with a sound that's both hypnotic and unsettling. Though this is The Banshee's darkest hour, Juju is not so much mournful as it is horrific, morbid and utterly insane; it plays just like a disturbed nightmare, or a horror soundtrack played by posessed tribesmen. A one of a kind album that is so perfect that many have tried to replicate it and failed.
Best Tracks: Night Shift, Voodoo Dolly, Into The Light.

I'm not sure why I keep coming back to this album. I guess it's just one of those things that you just can't describe but just really love. Yes, this IS gothic. Make no mistake about that. Dark, raw, disturbing and even satanic at times, Juju is definitely one of those albums whose lyrics deserve special attention.( "...sometimes I wonder, what goes on in your mind-always silent and kind, unlike the others."-from Night shift )
What makes this album so irresistable in my opinion is the fact that an album can be a classic example of dark, gloomy gothicity and yet still have upbeat, alterna-rock-type songs that you can sing outloud and dance to. Imagine belting out the lyrics to 'Head cut'( "...Shrunken heads under the bed...spit is turning, roasting, burning..." ) as though they were as tame as 'Walking on sunshine'. Every song is an anthem and an experience. From the sarcastic and fast 'Spellbound', to the creepy drone and mechanical-like sounds of 'Monitor', the goth classic, 'Night shift' with it's satanic lyrics and the grand finale, a hauntingly quiet and unsettlingly off-key fiddle type sound that slowly builds into a pounding tribal beat in 'Voodoo dolly' that finally builds into a manicly frantic pace with Sioxsie bellowing out," Listen to your fear!" before it slowly dies back down to a whisper into the distance. A wonderful climax and the perfect ending to a great cd. This cd proves that a a goth album can be chillingly dark and disturbing WITHOUT also being melodramatic and depressing like most other gothic stuff out there. This would be a great party album for the dark side or halloween party album for all you non-goths out there. If you enjoy darker songs of great depth and substance, give this one a try.