Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Time: Singles 78-81 (Dig)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Essential for any and all Siouxsie&The Banshees fans.Sure,it's an early compilation,with material from 1978-81.Every one of the CD's ten cuts are a winner,like "The Staircase Mystery","Love In A Void",the insanely written "Happy House","Christine","Isreal","Spellbound"(one of my all time favorites)and "Arabian Knights".Top rate goth alternative.It's nearly impossible not to like at least a couple of these tunes.Sounds just SO good,that it almost hurts.Voodoo enthusiasts,fortune tellers and goth queens,rejoice!Highly recommended.

And the futile quest for my irretrievable youth marches on! Lately, I have been buying up some of the favorite music of my youth. Though I loved Siouxsie & The Banshees when they appeared on the scene, I actually never heard a big selection of their music. So, Siouxsie's "The Singles" seemed a good place to start. The thing which surprised me the most upon hearing these songs, most of which are around twenty years old, is how fresh and timeless they sound. Since I am not a "Siouxsie" expert, I cannot tell you the pros & cons of this collection, and what should or should not have been included. I can only say that I have had this c.d. a week now, and, I can't stop listening to it! Her ethereal sound is addictive. For me, there are very few bands who, along with having such a distinct sound, also make music which weaves such a spell. And also, for me, Siouxsie was as definitive a Punk sound as The Sex Pistols. I love all the songs on this collection. I was most familiar with "Christine" and "Spellbound". Upon hearing "Israel" for the first time, I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Also, I especially like "Arabian Nights", and "Hong Kong Garden." And, "Love In A Void" reeks of Punk, as much as any Ramones tune. Again, as I am not a Siouxsie expert, I can only say that I thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy this collection. It is a good place to start, and only makes me want to hear more of the efforts of the lovely Miss Sioux and her wailing spirits.

A (perhaps too) concise overview of the Banshees' first four years of recorded work, back when the band were helping shape what would become known as post-punk (and when they were still being taken seriously by critics)...

Some would argue (me, for one) that their creative high point would begin just after this period ended, but this is certainly their most influential music, and it's hard to argue with the song selection: "Hong Kong Garden" and "Love In a Void" are two of THE great UK pop-punk singles; "Happy House" and "Christine" are early new-wave classics, and "Spellbound" and "Israel" are seminal goth-rock touchtones...

Three of the ten songs here are unavailable on any SATB studio albums, making this collection essential for die-hards as well as first timers, though those looking for the band's best-known US alt-rock hits (Kiss Them For Me, Cities In Dust, Peek-a-Boo) would be better off with their second singles collection (Twice Upon a Time), but as an historical document of how the Banshees found their sound, you can't do better than this.

Firstly I would like to make a couple of point accross to other reviewers.'Carnival' from the album 'A Kiss In The Dreamhouse' are not included in this album, but rather in the next singles installment. 'Israel' is NOT from Juju but rather a standalone single. Sorry for being pedantic but the right information to potential buyers is important I think.

Secondly to Sereneghost note how this is a SINGLES collection as opposed to your personal favorite collection. While I agree that these songs don't always represent the heart of these albums, singles rarely do but rather represent the more assesible side of a band.

Tracks 1-5 represent Siouxsie's abrasive punks days, being rather more simplistic and straightforward than later efforts. That being said 'Hong Kong Garden' is incredibly catchy (although don't the lyrics come accross as being blatantly racist?)while 'Mirage' and 'Love In A Void' are purely punky and abrasive. 'Staircase' and 'Playground Twist' express a minimalist gothic style and nightmarish in their mood and lyrical content.

The remainder of the album see The Banshees evolve rapidly, displaying sharper songwriting, a more layered and complex sound, and introducing synthesizers. 'Happy House' and 'Christine' are not only infectious singles but display more subtle and mature lyrics. 'Spellbound' and 'Arabian Knights' are typical of Juju's complex rhythms and psychadelic landscapes, the latter song has a breathtaking chorus that I can't get out of my head. 'Israel' my favorite song from this album, has an evocative majesty of its own that shows how far the band had evolved into a complex unit from their punk days.

A good introduction into Siouxsie and The Banshee's early days and an interesting documentation of their quick evolvement. Twice Upon A Time is even better.

This album is a good showcase of early Banshees only but of course not representative of their full career which started moving in different directions after the release of this compilation. Hong Kong Garden which burst onto the UK charts in 1978 still sounds unique and special after all these years while the other early hits have lost none of their icy appeal. I would have included some additional songs for a Best Of covering their early days, like "Mother/Oh Mein Papa' from Join Hands and perhaps "Jigsaw Feeling' from The Scream. In conclusion, Once Upon A Time is a window on the more "elegant" and certainly more intelligent side of UK punk rock.

I had this album long time ago and would drive around in my car jamming to it all day..Now i have the CD of it and i still drive around jamming to it at 30 ..great album better CD........

Siouxsie SIoux..We salute..I danced so hard.."Hong Kong Garden"..Early Siouxsie was this..Raw crunchy guitars that spoke with her idealistic lyrics..Disco in "Israel"..Siouxsie was beautiful then and now..Artsy and new wave in "Christine", and "Arabian Nights" the first of these songs being an artful part punk part new wave mish mash.."Tinderbox" is the other album that shines..Be 17 again..Go buy "Once Upon A Time" and get the history and the attitude of youth that keep our world alive..Hey Rick and Colleen remember me? Let's start a punk band..

I have loved Siouxsie & the Banshees since my introduction in junior high school. I'm mid-30's now and this album is still incredibly beautiful, artsy and romantically gothic at the same time. Siouxsie has such an amazing voice - and the Banshees are an incredibly tight band. Budgie is a terrific drummer. Listen to "Christine" and "Israel" and become spellbound. If you love The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Joy Division, Mission UK - then give the Queen of Goth a shot!

If you have never heard of Siouxsie And The Banshees, then this is probably the best place to start. This disc covers their first three years. These are not their best songs, but it will help you find out what they are like. I can't skip over any of the the songs when i listen to it... It would be better if you got The Scream, Join Hands, Kaleidoscope, and Juju. I also recommend Hyena and Tinderbox. They are the best albums from their second period.

I have mostly listend to Siouxsie & the Banshees later music. I love songs like "Carousel" & "Peepshow" really good. This album is a great overview of their early work & it's excellent. Favorite songs on this album "Arabian Nights", "Happy House", "Isreal" & "Christine". I listen to it constantly & recommend it highly!