Customer Reviews

Twice Upon a Time [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK- you wouldn't be reading this unless you were trying to decide whether or not to buy it. I suggest that you buy it, and don't look back. ... and you'll get to see Siouxsie in all her beauty fronting one of the most underrated and creative bands or the punk/post punk era. The videos are beautiful to watch- and many almost dreamlike flowing with the music.

I wish I could be rating a DOUBLE DVD SET OF ONCE UPON A TIME AND TWICE UPON A TIME- but Geffen is too busy producing pop ... right now (because there simply isn't enough of THAT out there. GEFFEN!, PLEASE RELEASE THESE CLASSICS ON DVD- PEOPLE ARE ALREADY ENCODING THESE TO VCD ON THEIR PC'S- DO US ALL A FAVOR, SLAP YOUR MARKETING PEOPLE AROUND AND RELEASE THESE RECORDINGS ON DVD!) Sorry- had to get that out. Just in case that idea never comes to fruition, you'd better just buy this tape. You'll be glad you did when you see these images, and hear these songs again- or maybe see the videos for the first time. Then, you'll begin to remember..... Besides, it's eight bucks- what can you get for eight bucks anymore?- you can't even get the cd of any of the posers trying to look, write, and sing like Siouxsie . ...

This video proves that The Banshees made great videos as well as great music. The band took as many influences from film as they did from other music and literature and so were involved in every part of the video-making process-and it shows. From Fireworks (of which the shoot had to be cut short as the guy in charge of pyrotechnics accidentally set a flare off in his own face) thro' Slowdive (love those false eyelashes guys!), Last Beat of my Heart (one take!!!) to the classic Peek-a-Boo (greatest video ever made anyone?) every one's a masterpiece. Of course this video should also be made essential viewing to anyone learning the rudiments of hairdressing with Ms.Sioux never looking anything less than stunning. Hairspray manufacturers must have blessed their lucky stars...

If you are one of those punk purists who believes Siouxsie and the Banshees sold out by the early 80's, then stick to thier first few albums. But if, like me, you've been fascinated by Siouxsie and Co.'s constant willingness and drive to reinvent their music and image in ways that are nearly always stimulating, then this is an absolute dream collection of videos, spanning the years 1982 through 1992. As is appropriate to the music and subject matter of the Banshee's songs, the videos on this collection are not literal little stories like typical MTV or VH1 fare, but rather are the stuff dreams are made of, surreal and full of symbolism and abstract imagery open to multiple interpretation. And Siouxsie's on-screen presence is amazing; when you see these videos, you may agree with me that it's regrettable that she never pursued an acting career as well. The early videos on this collection, about the first 20 min. worth, are more basic in their production values than the rest of the hour long tape. But from "The Passenger" through the end, this is one of the most dazzling collection of music videos I've ever seen--and the early ones are well worth seeing as well. This collection is equaled for me only by Tori Amos' Complete Videos collection.

These videos are for the most part highly entertaining. My only complaints are the absence of the "Swimming Horses" video and the tendency toward repetitiveness of the earlier ones. It looks like the directors were having a contest to see who could superimpose more images on top of each other. Cure fans take note: the presence of Robert Smith absolutely makes the Dear Prudence video!

Camille Paglia said in a Spin interview once that in this day and age high art could usually be found in the latest SATB music video. Never were her words more truthful, as she seems to be directly tapped into the mythic consciousness that is prevalent in the Banshees' music. The videos are all gorgeous, a visual feast of exotic rythmns that passionately chronicle Siouxsie's aesthetic evolution, among other things. I did notice the absence of the "Swimming Horses" video, which is included on the companion CD, and interesting to note as well was the fact that Madonna blatantly stole and reshot the Banshees' one-take masterpiece "Last Beat..." when she did her video for "Love Don't Live Here Anymore." Another example of the artistic influence that was Siouxsie and the Banshees. Lastly, I would welcome any comments to my review or for any other discussion regarding their music.

I liked all these videos because they take me to diferent periods of time in the life of the band. All videos are acomodated sequencially in time so you just enjoy it from the beginning to the end. They let us see the beautiful Siouxie through the ages and the rest of the group. Of course, all songs are hits! ... and as it was my case I had never seen them "alive" so buying this video was the only chance I had.

If you are a Siouxsie fan and don't have this video it is a must! It has great videos such as Dazzle, The Passenger, and Face to Face. You get a lot of old videos which you can't see on MTV. So if you don't own this its a great addition to your Siouxsie collection END

I really like The Banshees, but every time I try to watch this tape, my epilepsy causes me to have seizures. Mostly I have to look away from the flashing pictures...mostly.

Un chef-d'-oeuvre! A must, a cult, a classic. Buy it, you won't regret it

Buy this awesome video of my favorite group, and watch "cities in dust" The best video on the tape!