Kaleidoscoperelease date: Aug. 1, 1980
format: vinyl (1985 reissue / cd (2006 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Nigel Gray, Siouxsie and the Banshees
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Happy House" (4 / 5) - 2. "Tenant" - 4. "Hybrid" - 7. "Christine" (4,5 / 5) - 8. "Desert Kisses" - 9. "Red Light" - *20. "Israel" (7'' single A-side)
*Bonus track on 2006 remaster
3rd studio album by Siouxsie and the Banshees who has changed its line-up considerably with the departure of guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris shortly after the release of Join Hands (1979). The two have been replaced by John McGeoch (formerly Magazine and Visage) on guitars and with Budgie (aka Peter E. Clarke) (formerly The Slits) on drums.
With half of the band being substituted the album quite naturally marks a significant change of sound and style. Stylistically, you would stil refer to this as post-punk though it's clearly not as dark and dystophobic as its two predecessors, but what's most striking is how varied it is. On the album, the band makes use of a more electronic composite with synhesizers and drum machines, and the stylistic elements are likewise of varied nature with bonds to synthpop and art rock / art pop and new wave. Both new intrumentalists are gifted musicians and they add an extra layer to the output. McGeoch's swayling guitars and Budgie's enormeous repertoire have inspired generations of new musicians and artists, and in the aftermath they have both been lauded for their musical contributions.
Although, The Scream (1978) is the band's first fine album, this is the first fine one in a more lasting form, from which they will evolve in various directions. The album was seen as an immediate success peaking at number #5 on the UK albums chart list - making it the band's best performing studio album ever - and with the two singles "Happy House" and "Christine" reaching positions as number #17 and #22 respectively.
Together with the successor Juju (1981), Kaleidoscope was one of the very first by The Banshees that I listened to. I think, it's really fine but not one of their absolute best and simply because it points in so many directions that it hardly strikes you as one whole. It's scarcely held together by the overlaying production sound, bass and drums, and perhaps Sioux' original vocal. Some compositions are with synths, like McGeoch's small echoes of Visage / Magazine and a general willingness to experiment. In that regard tracks like "Happy House" and "Christine" stand out as if had it been a compilation of some sort, but it's not, and that's why it may be essential but not quite alongside their greatest works.
I like it, it's gooood.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
