Customer Reviews

Very Best Of Siouxsie And The Banshees (Limited Edition)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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)..

I admit I bought this only because I'm a hardcore fan. But, much to my delight, there are good reasons for anyone to own this two-disc collection.

First of all, it's nice to have all these singles in their original versions, now beautifully re-mastered. Replacing with re-mixes some standard edits on the second singles collection (Twice Upon a Time) made some sense at the time, but I'm very happy to have the originals in one place. There's also the recent Banshees track, Dizzy, available elsewhere only on a single they sold on their recent concert tour.

Secondly, for those of us who care about such things, the packaging is really nice. Nothing ostentatious or luxurious, just very well designed. And the liner notes, while a bit difficult to read for the type treatment, are worth the effort. Mark Paytress makes a substantial and informed argument for why Siouxsie and the Banshees are so important to pop music, rather than simply gushing about how great they sound.

Lastly, this limited edition offers a second disc of wonderful re-mixes, some of which I've never heard before and of tracks not on the first disc. It includes the transporting Columbus Mix of the track, Song from the Edge of the World, which I've only seen before this in its original 12-inch vinyl release.

If you're a fan or if you're waiting to be convinced, this is a good choice; in the first case, because you need to have everything you can get your hands on; in the second, because this is a more meaningful collection than you'll find on either of the first two singles collections.

i wouldve much preferred a remastered anthology. 15 songs is a drop in the bucket for this band. apparently this compilation relates to the songs that were on the charts. unfortunately for me a number of those songs are here and represent a substantial period of time when the band produced pop which is definitely not my fave stuff from satb. i went into some denial as i got caught up in the hype about the release of this disc. i knew what was to be on it reading about it in advance. even so, i felt let down when i had it in my hand then listened. the remastering is cool as it does allow for louder playing and provides fuller, richer and deeper sound, but i WANT so much more!!! i have heard or read somewhere that a b-sides collection is in works?? ?hopefully this will have remastered stuff like voodoo dolly, that fab 12" version of arabian knights, fireworks, etc. i do SO love this band! i am all for growth and experimentation but the stuff from sioux and her mates that i routinely return to that is so compelling, deep and impactful is everything thru tinderbox. i love a lot of new music. i dont live in a time warp. my song selection for a best of from satb would be just that. it would have to have more songs on it to represent them in a broader way. back to that anthololgy again. finally, having said all that....luhhhve dizzy! whats the history on that? new or what? in the final analysis i find myself skipping around these cd's alot and......wanting.

Bypassing the Banshees' punk roots, this revisionist collection does little credit to London's avatars of the agony of ecstasy. Eleven of disc one's tracks were previously compiled on ONCE UPON A TIME and TWICE UPON A TIME. The so-called 'new' song "Dizzy" is an alternate version of a single sold on their 2002 tour. The selections skirt the Banshees' primal premiere, THE SCREAM, the underrated follow-up, JOIN HANDS, and 1982's delirious A KISS IN THE DREAMHOUSE. The 1978 pop hit "Hong Kong Garden" is the only (and highly uncharacteristic) evidence of the early, pre-Budgie lineup. Superb sound underscores the urgency of the need for a remastered Banshees back catalog. Why disc two is padded with remixes is a mystery, as there are dozens of original B-side songs that never been issued on CD.

let me be the first to say that siouxsie and the banshees is my all time favorite band and i really love this new collecton, but my one complaint is that it dosen't contain enough of their early, more experimental work which for me made them stand out, and become my favorite band. All in all this is a great place to start for a casual fan or someone who is curious about the band, or for those who can only recognize a song or two on the collection. the second disc is why i initiall purchased the cd and even that could have been filled a little more... the 12" mixes are pretty good... but b-sides would have been better... this is an excellent band and to truley enjoy them i'd advise buying each album.... starting at juju and then working into the 80's albums....and if u enjoy those.... then get superstion and finally rapture..... overall great best-of cd... that could have easily been excellent

I have followed this group for 25 years. From its incarnation in the late 70's through various lineups to the present. The music has changed alot over the years, but I still always find Siouxsie & the Banshees to be alot more interesting than alot of the fodder that gets recognition on MTV & the radio. That said, these 2 Cds are hardly a definitive or even an esssential collection. Many tracks included are necessary for a compilation including "Spellbound", "Arabian Nights", "Cities In Dust" & "Hong Kong Garden". Also, the second disc is kind of cool for the 12" & different remixes of songs, but I do not advise anyone to buy this package as an introduction or even for the most diehard fan. So to sum up this review:If you must buy a compilation stick with "Once Upon A Time:The Singles" & "Twice Upon A Time", the two individual Cd collections. There is alot more material and covers alot more territory. You can also pick them both up for about the same price as this collection.

This is more of a Greatest Hits than a Best Of since all of the previously released tracks were hit singles, and the more commercially successful of these have been selected, so no room for The Staircase (Mystery) or Song From The Edge Of The World, neither of which were from albums, the latter never have gained a CD release in its original form. All of the tracks here are also available on Once Upon A Time and Twice Upon A Time, with the exception of Stargazer and Dizzy, which had yet to be recorded, so this collection is intended as an introduction to the band for a newer audience. Dizzy, the most recent recording, was to be a single a year or so after The Rapture but was shelved when the band left Polydor and then disbanded. All of the tracks have been sonically spruced up by the band, who were responsible for the track listing and design, with The Killing Jar, Cities In Dust and Stargazer having quite a startling added clarity. This Wheel's On Fire is a surprise, half-a-minute longer than the album version, with a big finish. I'm guessing this was originally the 12" single version. Knowing it from Julie Driscoll's version, they nearly didn't go ahead with the recording when they discovered it was a Bob Dylan song! It isn't everyone's favourite, but I like their version a lot.
Though this collection only presents one side of the band, what a side that is, with every track shimmering, beautiful and different.
I've always loved their 12" mixes and greatly enjoyed the second CD of nine long remixes. None of them are duplicated on the Downside Up box set, and some have also been remixed from the previously released versions, some having been apparently truncated from their vinyl versions. I knew and loved the Lepidopteristic Mix of The Killing Jar from the CD single, but the version here is well over a minute longer. The Indian influence of Kiss Them For Me is beautifully developed on the Kathak #2 Mix, and Song From The Edge Of The World finally appears digitally in the extended Columbus Mix, which was my preferred version on the 12" single. Dazzle, missing from CD1 but available on Hyaena, is also here in its 12" version. As most of these mixes were long out of print, this bonus disc makes the 2CD version by far the better buy at the right price.

As most posted reviews have stated, the majority of these songs have been released on previous singles collections (but what singles they are !!!). I bought this one because of the 12" remixes on the bonus cd. I must admit I was let down by most of them, the only one I still listen to is the 12" mix of Kiss them For Me. The remainder is for collectors, serious fans and completists.