482. Juju - Siouxsie and the Banshees

I always thought of Siouxsie and the Banshees as a straightforward punk band, and so I was surprised at the post-punk nature of this album. The ability to change your musical style is always pretty impressive, and to make that sound arguably more convincing than the earlier work is even more worthy of praise. 

The album was released in 1981, following the band having spent a long time playing around with different effects, whilst simultaneously moving back to a guitar-based sound. Having never really heard John McGeoch's guitar work before, I can hear how influential this must have been, as it clearly foreshadows Johnny Marr and Robert Smith, who would closely work with the Banshees, as well as later artists like the Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead. Many songs remind me of Joy Division, such as Halloween and Sin in my Heart, but whilst the sound is not dissimilar, it is presented in a more accessible way.

Spellbound is the opening track, and it sets the stall out for the album, with lots of jangly guitars and a powerful, hypnotic vocal performance. Siouxsie Sioux demands attention, and sets a high benchmark for post punk lead singers. Into the light has an even more distinctive guitar sound, almost forming a duet with the lead vocals. The lyrics aren't particularly powerful when read, but the give the impression of needing to be released, which more than makes up for anything else. Monitor has a sound that could be straight from a 2000s indie album, and I mean that in a good way. The spiteful delivery of the "that's entertainment" line makes even The Jam seem a bit soft in the middle.  The dark, foreboding intro to Night Shift would be a high point in the Cure's back catalogue. Sin in my Heart has a pounding, driving rhythm section, and a chorus that just eats away at you, but in a good way.

Overall I really enjoyed this album, as I felt it was very ahead of its time and so it sounds great when listened to alongside more modern alt-rock. Alternatively, this may demonstrate how little progress rock music has made in thirty or so years. The songs are catchy, and whilst Chloe felt that it was Monitor that was far superior to the other songs, I thought that was remarkably little in the way of filler in the album as a whole. It will definitely be an album that I revisit.

Chloe's rating: 7

Chloe's favourite track: 5. Monitor

Olly's rating: 8

Olly's favourite track: 5. Monitor

Next week's album is 877. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill; Chloe is beyond excited about this.