Siouxsie And The Banshees* – Once Upon A Time/The Singles

I do have to wonder though, since this was supposed to be a singles collection, yet 'Mirage' (at least to my knowledge) was never released as a single. However, Mittageisen (Metal Postcard) WAS, yet it is not on here. Why is that?

Unlike their contemporaries, Siouxsie and the Banshees, despite assembling in 1976 as a splinter group of the renowned Bromley Contingent, were ostensibly devoid of political concerns, instead favouring avant-garde subject matter and outré stage shows. Initially recognised by critics as a mere DIY quartet with a penchant for chilliness, gloom and noise, they quickly gained notice as one of the more interesting spinoffs from the Sex Pistols fanship, and what they lacked in of technical ability, they offset with their influential titular frontwoman's provocative appearance, intense vocal facility and bleak lyrical approach. Even on their debut album they would remain unfocused, but their astonishing premiere single "Hong Kong Garden" served as a clear indication of their intention to move beyond unconventionality, dissonance and propulsion. By 1980, they had undergone significant changes, conscripting new and adopting a darker-hued, richly layered gothic aesthetic as well as more sophisticated production techniques. Having already released enough prime non-LP singles to fill an EP, the band opted to put together a compilation that would prove to be even more of an essential purchase than their ittedly spotty first two studio albums. "Once Upon A Time" consists of all ten A-sides released during the group's formative years, largely covering the edgy inconstant period - "Hong Kong Garden," "Mirage," "Staircase (The Mystery)" and "Love In A Void" - and the melodic post-punk interval - "Happy House," "Christine," "Israel" and "Arabian Knights".

Siouxsie and the Banshees would achieve bigger hits and triumphs as they progressed, frequently fine-tuning their sound and style and emerging as a very tight, creative and productive musical unit indeed. "Once Upon A Time" charts their gradual metamorphosis from art-punk firebrands to commanding yet eccentric goth rockers, stopping short of the world rhythms-inflected stylish pop they would demonstrate much later. For anyone with a predilection for raucous, rumbling soundscapes and haunting and highly textured compositions delivered with alternating intensity and control, this concise, cohesive summary is required listening.

Rating: 5/5

New repress of this on clear vinyl is now on pre-order. I think all signed copies are now sold out.

I think I might have a test pressing of this album, how do I find out whether it is? There's a plain white label on one side with matrix (all printed);
POLS 1056 B // 1 v E S T R 1 1 4 STRAWBERRY
The other side has a plain black label has matrix; POLS 1056 A // 6 v E S T R STRAWBERRY
Thanks for any help or guidance.
Regards, Martyn

Only 33 minutes. Why? There were plenty of good B sides on the early singles. 33 minutes isn't long enough. Where is 'Voices'?Where is 'Mittageisen'? Where is 'Pull To Bits'? Where is 'Eve White / Eve Black'?

There's nothing like a good singles compilation when you're relaxing with a crate of beer or two. This selection is a fine example of the usefulness of these retrospectives, with no fillers, and a smooth flow from track to track. This is probably helped by keeping everything in chronological order, so you can hear the band hone their sound from the sharp, spikey edges of 'Hong Kong Garden,' to more atmospheric and rounded tracks like 'Christine' and 'Israel.' Break out the suds and you'll be dancing around your bedroom in no time.