Siouxsie and the Banshees'The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees'

Geffen Records / Universal Music Entertainment

Grade: A



Siouxsie and the Banshees were one of the most innovative groups of the '70s and '80s, being labeled punk by many but ultimately creating their own genre that has influenced many groups from The Cure to No Doubt. Highlights from their 20-year career are amassed on this 16-track album, their first greatest hits album.

Some of their most defining hits are present, including "Hong Kong Garden," their Top 10 U.K. debut single from their first album, "The Scream." The song incorporates a kind of chop-sticky beat that melts in to Siouxsie Sioux's strong, unique voice. This song proves that the massive "Sign the Banshees" campaign after their infamous 1976 performance at London's 100 Club Punk Festival with Sid Vicious was well worth the effort.

"Christine," which was recently covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (they proclaimed it the U.K. National Anthem) features Sioux with a more haunting tone and tight, memorable drumming by Budgie, who joined the band in 1980.

"Dizzy," a previously unreleased track from 1997, makes its first appearance on this album. It is somewhat buried, sandwiched between classics "Face to Face" and "Israel." The swirling guitars and Sioux's echoing wails make one feel as if the room is spinning.

My personal favorite, "Cities in Dust" from 1986's "Tinderbox," is one of the longer songs on the album. It features enticing, chimey drumming and a catchy chorus. This song almost seems like it could have been a collaboration with The Cure.

The album also features their cover of the Beatles' "Dear Prudence." What is so wonderful about this cover is that they are obviously not trying to sound like the Beatles, which would be damn near impossible. Siouxsie and the Banshees put their own, goth-punk spin on it, creating a classic cover of one of the greatest songs in history.

Their only U.S. Top 40 hit, "Kiss Them For Me," is also on the album. It is hard to know why this particular song busted into the U.S. charts, and not any others, but it is definitely a classic in its own right. Its relentlessly lingering rhythm stays with one for days.

Other classics featured on the album include "Spellbound" and "Arabian Nights," from 1981's "Juju" and "The Killing Jar" and the career re-inventing "Peek-A-Boo," from 1989's "Peepshow."

After 11 studio albums, countless Peel Sessions and dozens of singles, Siouxsie and the Banshees have been well deserving of a greatest hits album. The prolific group has clearly left their mark on the world, helping to invent punk, goth and more. Not only was their music groundbreaking, but their fashion helped spawn a new look in the '80s. Since the group broke up in 1995, the world has been waiting for this album that looks back on their amazing, two-decade career.