Very Best Of Siouxsie And The Banshees (Limited Edition)

Siouxsie & The Banshees | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 3, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Geffen
• ASIN: B00006IJXM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,196 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another kind of Best Of, November 8, 2004

By 

bonsai chicken (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Best Of Siouxsie And The Banshees (Limited Edition) (Audio CD)

Well, this is something different.

Most "best of" compilations are merely straight down the line singles collections. While all but one of the songs here were singles, the band themselves decided to choose what they felt was their best material. One could argue about which songs were or weren't included, but there's no denying that it's a bit more interesting this way.

The songs are presented out of release sequence, making for variety and unless you've memorized the track listing, a surprise each time you listen to it. No songs from the first two albums appear; "Hong Kong Garden" is the only very early (pre-1980) track that made it on. Since this only appeared on CD as part of a Peel Session, it's nice to have it finally on a full-length. Other non-album tracks include "Israel" and their psychedelically wonderful cover of The Beatles' "Dear Prudence," though all three of these appeared on the two previous singles collections the band has released.

The 'Kaleidoscope,' 'Juju' and 'Peepshow' albums are represented by two singles each, but 1982's 'A Kiss in the Dreamhouse' is completely ignored - surprising considering the band once felt it was their best album until 1988's 'Peepshow.' Also slighted is 1984's "Hyæna." ("Dear Prudence" doesn't count; it was only sequenced into the album on later reissues.) "Face to Face," the collaboration with composer Danny Elfman (written and recorded for the 'Batman Returns' soundtrack) is included. "The Killing Jar" and "This Wheel's On Fire" appear as the slightly remixed single versions, as opposed to the ones that appeared on the albums.

As an incentive to longtime fans that may have all this material already, there is one previously unreleased track called "Dizzy." It's good, but brief, and it's questionable whether it would have made it on a "best of" if it wasn't new.

The disc clocks in at just under an hour, so one wonders why they didn't include some more of their "best" songs.

If you're lucky enough to find the two-disc version of this release, there is an additional CD of remixes, all of which have been previously released. "Spellbound" is your basic extended version. "Dazzle" will make you think your CD player has gotten stuck a few times. The "eruption mix" of "Cities in Dust" is another basic extended version, and is identical to the one that appears at the end of the US release of 'Tinderbox.' "The Killing Jar" is tastefully remixed and extended. "Stargazer" is radically reworked by Juno Reactor; techno fans might like it, but I don't really care for it as a remix. "Peek-a-Boo" has a lot of new electronic sounds added, but is still recognizable. Except for the dubbed vocals, the trancelike remixes of "Kiss Them For Me" (by Youth) and "Face to Face" (by 808 State) bear little resemblance to their original versions.

The big draw on the second disc is the first appearance of "Song from the Edge of the World" on CD in any form. It is an extended remix, but sounds more or less like the original single. This song never appeared on an album, and it was left off 'Twice Upon A Time.' In other words, it was very hard to find.

The package includes a nicely designed booklet, with a cursory overview of the band's history by Mark Paytress, who wrote the most recent Banshees biography. It also contains some video stills, more artfully arranged than they were on previous compilations.

So who should buy this collection? I'd recommend it for new and casual listeners; all the songs you've heard and like are probably here. As for longtime fans, you'll have to decide whether one completely new song and some "upgrades" are worth it. (The tracks are remastered, so they do sound better than they once did.) I have to admit I held out until I saw it for a very low price, because I had everything (except for "Dizzy") in one format or other. While it disappoints as a "best of," it is still a good collection of songs. It's just a bit redundant for most of us.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars mixed feelings, November 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Best Of Siouxsie And The Banshees (Limited Edition) (Audio CD)

While Siouxsie & co. have been a favorite of mine forever, and I'm glad to see a retrospective released, I'm not sure this collection was the way to go. Two singles compilations have already been released ("Once/Twice Upon a Time"), and I would recommend those two over this new collection to anyone wishing to become acquainted with the band. This "Best Of" is available in two versions, and the single disc version I wouldn't recommend at all. Yes, "Dizzy," previously unreleased (actually, I believe the song is technically several years old), is a great track, but at this point the folks interested in it most are those of us who already have a Siouxsie education.... and Banshees fans are going to want the bonus disc anyway.

Disc One: fifteen tracks, one new song ("Dizzy"), and an extended version of "This Wheel's On Fire" (longer outro than the version that appears on "Through the Looking Glass" LP). No tracks from "The Scream," "Join Hands," or "A Kiss In the Dreamhouse." All other tracks appear on either "Once/Twice Upon a Time" except for "Stargazer," which was the 2nd single released from "The Rapture." It's presented here in its radio remix version.

Disc Two: nine tracks, including the elusive "Song From the Edge Of the World." All other remixes have been released at one time or another, in one format or another (CD, 12" vinyl, etc.) over the years. I was glad to hear the 12" version of "Spellbound," and I was lucky enough to acquire the Kathak mix of "Kiss Them For Me" ten years ago on a promo compilation when I worked at a college radio station. The "Cities In Dust" remix is a bonus track on the "Tinderbox" CD.

Overall, I think the fans deserve a box set or retrospective that includes more unreleased tracks, B-sides and/or remixes. For those who are looking to be introduced to S&tB, I'd suggest the "Once/Twice Upon a Time" collections over this one.

The 4 stars this release earns is for the billiance of the music within. The missing star is for putting together a complation of stuff most of us already have.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not exactly the best representation of the band, December 29, 2002

By 

Josh (Boston, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Best Of Siouxsie And The Banshees (Limited Edition) (Audio CD)

With two successful singles compilations (Once Upon a Time and Twice Upon a Time) under their belts, the Banshees decided to put out a condensed 1 CD "best of" disc with a limited edition second CD for the hardcore fans. While the 2 singles compilations, each comprising a certain era in Banshees history, seem to flow smoothly and almost have the cohesion of solid studio albums, the "best of" disc shows why these 2 eras should not be represented on one CD.

The 15 non-chronologically-ordered tracks found here haphazardly jump stylistically and sonically from one to another, giving the album a disjointed and highly uneven feel. This actually causes some of the material (mostly the songs from the Once Upon A Time era) to be perceived as much weaker than it would be if it were in its proper element. The remastering helps to accentuate this by making the more modern or upbeat rock/pop material sound great while revealing flaws in the recording/performance of some of the earlier songs... It's hard to understand the purpose of a "best of" album that puts many of your "best" in a bad light....

Fans will still find some positives on the hits disc. As I mentioned, some of the remastered tracks sound great. You'll also find the single mix of "Stargazer" (from The Rapture, which was not represented on either previous singles compilation), a slightly extended version of "This Wheel's on Fire", and a chopped-down 3 minute version of the great new track "Dizzy" (a song that I believe dates back to the early-mid 90s and was sold as a single on the band's 7 Year Itch reuinion tour in 2002).

The bonus disc contains 9 remixes that clock in at a little over an hour, including the previously unreleased "Kathak #2 mix" of "Kiss Them for Me" that spans nearly 10 minutes. Unfortunately, with the exception of finally having a version of "Song from the Edge of the World" on CD, most of the remixes here are unexceptional and way too long and repetitive (many of them pushing well over the 7 minute mark by repeatedly recycling the same sections). Hardcore fans might want the remixes for their collection, but newcomers and casual fans probably wouldn't find the bonus disc very rewarding.

If you're a newcomer to the band, get Twice Upon a Time and Once Upon a Time. They'll give you a much clearer picture of what Siouxsie and the Banshees are about than this watered down and inconsistent compilation. If you're a casual fan, you might want to pick up the single disc version just for "Dizzy".. The bonus disc found here is only for hardcore fans (most of whom would still rather have a disc of some of the band's many out-of-print b-sides than one of mediocre remixes)..