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Archived Reviews
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Well, the 50-year old punk icon and inspiration to several generations of Goth wannabes proves once again she's still got the indefinable 'it'. And obviously firing on all cylinders, she puts pop dollies more than half her age to shame. And she's braved the nightmarish drive to Bath from her French sanctum to record this cool, classy collection, just for you, Dear Listener. 'About to Happen' stirs the most apathetic into action. 'Get up, get out. Don't hang about.' The punk rock's still there, but it's grown up and sophisticated, like your radical aunt with the leopard-skin glasses case and string of grovelling boyfriends, half her age and at her beck and call...
'Here Comes That Day' is lavish and dramatic, with a brass section giving it some. The next Bond film should sign this one up for the soundtrack. Or the new Batman movie – well, it has been 15 years since 1992's 'Face to Face' for the Tim Burton Batman and Catwoman showdown, in 'Batman Returns'. Hmmmm. ‘If It Doesn't Kill You’ recommends turning the bitterness of harsh life experiences into learning curves – 'Don't be bitter, don't be gloomy, all your torment, flowers blooming. If it doesn't kill you, it will shape you.' No-one's character can develop with only happiness – and no-one can learn anything in a state of perpetual Popstars prozac'd paralysis either. 'Sea of Tranquility' brings in mellow strings, and discordant piano, with goosebumps and shivers up the backbone for the listener. Another cinematic candidate for Bond or Batman, methinks. It's all purple-tinged psychedelia for 'They Follow You', reminding me of 1991's 'Kiss Them For Me.' But I really think all and sundry should just dig deep and go buy it for themselves. Siouxsie doesn't grace us with a new CD that often – and it's a case of quality over quantity, methinks. Score: A big eleven out of ten. It's just that one more, you see. It's dark, mysterious and decadent, and too good to be missed. |
